First off, Saban went 7-6 his first year, not 6-7. But you need to look at more than just their first year record to really make that determination.

Saban, for example, inherited a mess at Bama. They were in as bad a shape as Bama has ever been in after the Price, Shula, Franchione and DuBose debacles. They had just come off of probation, and had just gotten another letter of inquiry from the NCAA. They were coming off a losing season (6-7), and had lost 7 or more games in 4 of the previous 10 years. It was the worst stretch in Bama history other than the Ears Whitworth era back in the 1950s. Make no mistake, Bama fans were ecstatic about Saban's first year. To say he had a rough start is revisionist history.

Peterson took over at Washington after Sarkisian had averaged 7 wins a year for 5 years. And Willingham was a complete disaster the 4 years prior, winning 11 games total - including 0-12 his last season. Peterson's first year record of 8-6 was Washington's 2nd best season in 13 years. Also, not a rough start in context.

Obviously, the Crier started 12-0 at Ohio St, so no further explanation needed there.

And Dabo took over at Clemson after they had plateaued under Bowden. His first full year, they went 9-5 and won their Division after going 7-6 the year before. Yes, he did take a step back his 2nd year, but he won the ACC his third. A division title his 1st year, and a Conference Championship his third isn't exactly a rough start. Every Clemson fan I know (and I know a few) were crazy about Dabo from the git go.

The other thing is that of those 4 coaches, 3 had successful previous head coaching experience before their current job. Dabo is the lone exception, and he was promoted from within.