Grand entrance

HOOVER, Ala. -- I had a little help disengaging myself from a coma-like sleep state this morning.
Just after 8 a.m., the fire alarm began raising a racket in the hallways of the Wynfrey Hotel. The intercom repeated the same insistent message: ‘‘Attention! Attention!’’
There were no additional instructions given, but we got the message.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban had arrived on the scene.
It's always a big deal when an Alabama football coach comes to SEC Football Media Days for the first time. Crimson Tide fans swarm the lobby, genuflect for the new coach, cheer him, try to get autographs and tell themselves that this coach is The One.
They did it when Mike DuBose came here. They repeated the process for Dennis Franchione and Mike Shula.
But the reception given to Saban may have been a little more crowded and a little more optimistic than those before. He’s won a national championship, at least, and he’s getting paid $32 million over eight years for a reason.
Dozens of fans huddled near the escalators to catch a glimpse of Saban, almost as if they were lined up to receive absolution from the Pope.
No autographs, but they received the thrill of a ''How ya doing?’’ from the coach.
His presence in Tuscaloosa will certainly make this season and the Nov. 24 Iron Bowl more compelling.
I'll check in later to fill you in on what Saban says during his press conference. He's making the rounds with radio and TV reporters before joining the print reporters.
Right now, I'm listening to Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson. Vanderbilt hasn't made a bowl game since 1984, so he's fielding a familiar question about the drought and whether the Commodores can do more than come close.
‘‘When you play in this league, you have to scratch and claw to get the victories,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘The people at the top of the SEC East and the SEC West are there for a reason. For somebody to come in and work themselves up the leader, you look to see how tough it is to pass those teams that are ahead of us. We have been close. We feel like we're making progress. It may not be fast to all of ya'all. Our confidence is pretty high right now, but we also have to look at our schedule every once in a while and be realistic.’’