Saban and Meyer Draw Spotlight at SEC

Alabama coach Nick Saban signs autographs before leaving the Southeastern Conference football media days, Thursday, July 26, 2007, in Hoover, Ala.(AP Photo/Rob Carr) (Rob Carr - AP)

HOOVER, Ala. -- It was a familiar scene for Nick Saban these days: Several dozen crimson-clad Alabama fans clamoring for autographs or just a moment's attention from the coach they're hoping will quickly return the Crimson Tide to greatness.

You'd think he had just led his team to a Southeastern Conference and national title when he was escorted into the league's media days early Thursday morning. Actually, that's the achievement of Florida's Urban Meyer, who went to the podium a few hours after Saban.

But at a site just 45 minutes from Tuscaloosa, it was Saban who garnered the most attention, recreating a scene his players are getting used to.

Cornerback Simeon Castille even calls his new coach "a rock star, kind of" in this state.

"It's just wherever he goes, everybody is in a frenzy," Castille said. "Even when he first got here it was like that, and it's still like that. I think it's awesome how excited everyone is that he's here.

"I'm glad he's here. The fans are glad."

More than glad, the fans appear downright giddy _ from the overflow crowd for the spring game at 92,000-seat Bryant-Denny Stadium to a media guide that features Saban photos on both the front and back covers to Thursday's eager reception.

Saban isn't actively courting or even encouraging all that attention. He didn't stop to sign autographs on his arrival, and seemed less than thrilled with that coach-centric media guide design though it might have been appropriate.

If any of Saban's peers can relate, it's Meyer. Fresh from leading Utah to an unbeaten season, he needed only two years to lead the Gators back to the top.

"I'm not quite sure what he's gone through," Meyer said. "I have a feeling because I've kind of witnessed it myself. Maybe not the same level. But that would happen at most schools in the Southeastern Conference."

Saban, who won a share of the 2003 national title with LSU, isn't promising to duplicate Meyer's rapid turnaround or instantly satisfy fans' high expectations.

"It's great to be optimistic. It's probably not so good to be pessimistic," Saban said. "But it's best to be realistic."