From Darth Vader to college football's favorite uncle. The remarkable metamorphosis of Nick Saban from Alabama coach to ESPN personality.

Hmm … now that I say it out loud, it doesn’t sound so crazy after all if the Cavaliers join the SEC and their well-heeled alums suddenly begin caring about football.

College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit recently said he was close to leaving ESPN College GameDay before Nick Saban, Pat ...