Yep 2 double digit win seasons in 5 years definitely sounds like he made a blueblood program.Before Saban, they hadn't won an outright conference title since 1986. He took them to five straight bowl games (2000-2005). They had only been to three bowl games over the previous 12 years.
They won 54 games combined over the decade before Saban got there. In five years under Saban, they won 48.
So, I'd say it's pretty ignorant to think he didn't get them back on the map. He ushered in their most dominant era in program history by leaps and bounds.
Man you cannot compare the two.. most of the talent in VA is held in the northern DMV area and in Hampton rds. There are two P5 schools in VaTech and UVA. There is no state pride with these kids from VA the way it is at LSU..who by the way ARE THE ONLY P5 team in it's state. Not to mention Houston is just a stone's throw away.Just because the talent is there, it doesn't mean it's easy to turn around a completely dysfunctional program. There is a ton of talent in the DC/VA area, yet Maryland and Virginia are nowhere near being national powers. It takes an elite coach to build an elite program.