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promomasterj
Caroll did 15 years in the NFL as an assistant before USC. Harbaugh had a long career as a player in the league. Saban was worthless in the pros.
To me College coaching is about recruiting - not scheme. How complicated is an offense when the QB looks at the sideline before a snap and someone is holding up a picture of a squirrel or whatever. They probably have a handful of play, blocking, and route concepts. That won't fly in the NFL.
When you look at Saban's Alabama career - what percentage of games did they play where the other team had more talent than them? 5% - maybe? In the NFL - you have to coach on a level playing field or sometimes when you're overmatched. That's my biggest problem with major college football - too many full ride scholarships allow the recruiting rich to get richer and so many of the games are won before kickoff.
I agree that recruiting is WAY more important in college. Make no mistake that Saban doesn't win all those national championships if his teams aren't prepared and focused too. Talent alone isn't enough.
There is more talent parity in the NFL. That said, there are consistent teams that continue to win and perennial loser organizations. What separates? Coaching. it takes a lot to be a great coach and I'll go into all the variables in part 3 or 4 of the coaching series.