The situation is absolutely different at Alabama then it was at Notre Ame.
First off, the seniors this year are the first class during the probation Alabama was put on. They weren't exactly the pick of the litter during recruiting.
College Coaches need at least 4 years to get their guys in place, to get their system running and to get the coaches needed to get the job done.
That won't be allowed to happen at Alabama and this cycle will repeat itself in a few years.
BTW rumors I'm hearing are that Rich Rodriguez has indeed shot Alabama down because they wouldn't allow him to select his own assistants.