Personally, as an Auburn fan I don't relish the idea that South Alabama is starting a football team.  There have been several very good players come out of the Mobile / Pensacola area in the past.  It will probably be some time though before South Alabama has a major impact on Auburn, Bama, and other D1 schools, in terms of losing impact players from that area, but I can't help but believe over time, South Alabama will get its share.  They will have to prove themselves first and have some success to start drawing them in.  And of couse, landing a head coach with a reputation such as Coach Gran's, would only help to jumpstart things for them.  I would imagine the trustees and everyone else involved with the decision-making process of setting up a football team at South Alabama, also knows full well how very good the players are in their own backyard.  Over the years, they have seemed to be a lot grittier and tougher than many other players found elsewhere,...might have a little something to do with their killer humidity down that way a good portion of the year.  Summers are rough there.  By the way, I'm selfish (again, as an Auburn fan) and don't want to see Coach Gran leave, but if he is looking to make the next step up,...he has paid his dues and deserves a shot.  Another good thing for Gran making that kind of move, I don't believe he will lose the 9 years he has put into the Alabama Teachers Retirement System by coaching at Auburn.  Going to South Alabama would allow him to keep adding to it, to add to his retirement nest egg one day.  Vesting occurs at 10 years, so he's on the doorstep with it.