LOL! Well, in my opinion then, going 4-9 in 2003, 6-6 in 2004, 10-2 in 2005 only to be followed by going 6-7 the next year in 2006 - WITH four consecutive losses to Auburn thrown in for good measure ..... and the players to whom Shula had given too much latitude (and hence the attitudes Saban inherited) .... is what I'd call inheriting a mess. But that's just me
Did someone come in after Shula for one year and dump you during recruiting season, and recruit a class that had about 2 players worth a damn? Bama's situation wasn't close to Tenn's situation when Dooley took over, with a team that had something like 65 scholarship players.