Bama is the laughing stock of college football...

There used to be Indians paddling canoes in Bayou Teche, but I've never seen one.

 

That's exactly what my intended meaning was when I posted the thread.
Interesting how people interpret things differently, and I don't mean that to be critical, but some may have felt like I meant their program was a disgrace or in shambles... only that they just flew through a serious jet wash and so far, don't seem to have control of the craft....and they don't seem to realize that.

 

It is unbelieveable that Alabama fired Shula that fast without having three or four "strong candidates" in the wings. Alabama is not Alabama anymore....we know that....but they don't know that. It really is a sad turn of events.

 

You are definitely right about that...

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2006-11-29-college-coaches_x.htm

 

I don't follow Bama football outside of the fact that they are on our schedule. From the little I gather, it is my understanding that Shula has a lot of good young players (Wilson is a soph and he looked pretty good @ qb. I say that without looking at his stats for the game, just my overall impression). The next person may come in and benefit from Shula's work in recruiting. He did have only two losses last year and it seems like his firing may have been a knee-jerk reaction to pressure -the loss to Miss and Auburn (again) really hurt- but there must be more to the story.


As of lately, I always look at it as a game we need to execute well, protect the ball, good special teams play and we come away with a win. At the beginning of the season, I count that game as a win, with the understanding that it's ours to lose.

 

I think that's the delima with them....they want a great coach and great coaches are not led, they lead. They want a leader that they can control and those mindsets aren't comparable.

It's all about the "W" and fans don't give coaches 3 years today, they expect a coach to come in and win immediately (not necessarily the case with Shula since he had 4) and like red stated yesterday, it is the harsh reality of the business but it appears they could have handled some of the situation a little better. The timing, for example, in regards to him addressing his players.

 

great point, and a legitimate question. Until PBJ and terry's "gang of '61" agree to give up a more appropriate level of control to the head coach, bama will find it tough to acquire a top-name coach to match their top-name program. Bama has everything a prospective coach could want except the ability to control a commensurate level of decisions that directly impact his success.

For example, Shula is now being criticized (heavily) for running a team without an adequate level of disciplinary control. But you'd be naive to think that the cleanup of such incidents like those involving Juwan Simpson, DJ Hall, and Ray Hudson weren't completely orchestrated by Malpractice Moore and his cronies. Do you really believe Shula was calling the shots on their punishment? No, Shula was just the fall-guy, and it is shameful that Bama would treat one of their loyal own in that manner.

No, ..... until the reigns of power shift, Bama will only be able obtain a coach that allows himself to be manipulated for money - a stepping-stone in the coaching career..... and that description is about as far from Spurrier or Saban as an offer can get.