View Full Version : Nick Saban taking Alabama job; leaving Miami
JeffWeaverFan
01-03-07, 09:58 AM
Being reported on Cold Pizza and the 790 radio ticker... As a Jet fan, this is great news.
gamesix1977
01-03-07, 10:00 AM
A good move for Saban. Better off in college.
cmaff05
01-03-07, 10:01 AM
A good move for Saban. Better off in college.
Correction. He was better off at LSU.
With the amount of times I heard him denying it (while bringing having Alabama trustees over for dinner at his house), I can't say this wasn't completely expected
RIyankee
01-03-07, 10:05 AM
Being reported on Cold Pizza and the 790 radio ticker... As a Jet fan, this is great news.
It's great news to Pats fans as well.
Let's hope the pruning of the Bellichick tree continues. :D
He'd probably be playing right now if they'd gone Brees rather than Culpepper, as a Pats fan, I'd like to thank him for leaving Miami QB situation in shambles.
hobokenfish
01-03-07, 10:18 AM
Good riddance from this Dolphins fan. A very mediocre NFL coach who belonged in college. From questionable personnel decisions (really, Chet Lemon??) to questionable in-game management, I won't miss him.
RhodyYanksFan
01-03-07, 10:18 AM
It's hard to turn down $40 million. I don't think he was as big a dud in the pros as Steve Spurrier. I always liked Saban. I'm glad I don't have to root against him anymore (I've always hated the Dolphins).
I'm glad I don't live in Alabama, for many reasons, but one new one is that even though they are in the bottom 5 in the nation as far as test scores and education goes, the highest paid state employee is now the football coach. Priorities, 'bama...priorities.
27IsNext
01-03-07, 10:32 AM
It's hard to turn down $40 million. I don't think he was as big a dud in the pros as Steve Spurrier. I always liked Saban. I'm glad I don't have to root against him anymore (I've always hated the Dolphins).
I'm glad I don't live in Alabama, for many reasons, but one new one is that even though they are in the bottom 5 in the nation as far as test scores and education goes, the highest paid state employee is now the football coach. Priorities, 'bama...priorities.
As someone who's lived in 'Bama since I was eight (and attend Alabama right now), I take exception to that. :)
Roll Tide. He agreed to come back in Nov., but our admin. didn't want to wait until the NFL season was over, hence the Rich Rodriguez offer. After Rodriguez rejected, we chose to wait it out. It worked. (This is inside info.)
Tal Hawkins
01-03-07, 10:37 AM
Correction. He was better off at LSU.Bingo. LSU might have won another MNC by now had he stayed. Best of luck to him at Bama...the SEC is going to be even more fun to watch next season.
NelsonMuntz
01-03-07, 10:38 AM
I had a feeling he was going to take the Alabama job. It will be interesting to see who the Dolphins get to replace him.
Tal Hawkins
01-03-07, 10:49 AM
It will be interesting to see who the Dolphins get to replace him.The coaching carousel will be fun to watch this off-season. I wonder if Green or Mora will be considered for the Miami job.
RIyankee
01-03-07, 10:52 AM
The coaching carousel will be fun to watch this off-season. I wonder if Green or Mora will be considered for the Miami job.
I hope so! :D
RIyankee
01-03-07, 10:53 AM
Bring back Wanny!
Does this mean there'll be a slew of Crimson players on the Pats in the next 3-5 years? :D
Tal Hawkins
01-03-07, 11:01 AM
ESPN reporting that the deal is for 8Y/32M...all guaranteed. Wow, that's a lot of ducats. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the other top coaches in college football restructuring deals and getting raises in the next few months.
BroadwayBomber55
01-03-07, 11:08 AM
Nick Saban has his hands full in Alabama. Will he bring one of the legendary college football programs back to prominence is what we gonna have to see.
27IsNext
01-03-07, 11:09 AM
Nick Saban has his hands full in Alabama. Will he bring one of the legendary college football programs back to prominence is what we gonna have to see.
If anyone has the right makeup to put up with all the crap that is involved with the Alabama job, it's Nick.
BroadwayBomber55
01-03-07, 11:13 AM
If anyone has the right makeup to put up with all the crap that is involved with the Alabama job, it's Nick.
I can't wait to see Alabama v. LSU. Les Miles the pupil v. Nick Saban the teacher.
27IsNext
01-03-07, 11:56 AM
I can't wait to see Alabama v. LSU. Les Miles the pupil v. Nick Saban the teacher.
LSU will devour 'Bama the first two years they face off. Nick needs at least three years to recruit the kind of talent he needs to compete with LSU. LSU's roster is full of super-athletes that are in shape--ironically enough, he recruited and developed most of them.
NelsonMuntz
01-03-07, 12:27 PM
Wow, Bill Curry really had some scathing words for Alabama during Cold Pizza.
so as a guy on another site had mentioned....
now that saban's buried the dolphins with culpepper and harrington he now sets his sights on alabama.
nice work, champ
RIyankee
01-03-07, 12:51 PM
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/
Belichick smiled when asked if his friendship with Nick Saban would be revived now that he's no longer the Dolphins coach. "It will certainly put it on different footing," he said.
dabomb2045
01-03-07, 01:12 PM
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/
Ah, so Belichick cant be friends with someone who coaches in his division? God forbid someone can seperate their job and their personal life.
Ah, so Belichick cant be friends with someone who coaches in his division? God forbid someone can seperate their job and their personal life.
Does Eric need a hug?
CardNYY
01-03-07, 01:23 PM
The Iron Bowl this year is gonna be very interesting...
TheYankee
01-03-07, 01:38 PM
I'm glad I don't live in Alabama, for many reasons, but one new one is that even though they are in the bottom 5 in the nation as far as test scores and education goes, the highest paid state employee is now the football coach. Priorities, 'bama...priorities.How is this different from other states? In general, football and basketball coaches are the highest paid state employees. Don't act like this is some anomaly.
By the way, I'm sure they've never heard the "ALABAMER IS TeH stupid!!!11" joke before.
I actually live in Iowa but go to school at Alabama, but even I get tired of the ridiculous jokes at Alabama's expense.
TheYankee
01-03-07, 01:41 PM
Wow, Bill Curry really had some scathing words for Alabama during Cold Pizza.Of course he does. Bill Curry never hesitates to take a shot at the University of Alabama. Ever since he resigned in the early 90's to leave for Kentucky (because he was going to be fired for his ineptitude, specifically his inability to beat Auburn), he's held an enormous grudge against Alabama and its administration. While I don't believe Alabama's administration is beyond rebuke, Curry has been holding a personal grudge against them from his short coaching tenure. I have never heard Bill say one positive word about the Crimson Tide program. He never hesitates at a chance to rip at them. He is, in my opinion, a sour puss cry baby.
secyank
01-03-07, 02:17 PM
Of course he does. Bill Curry never hesitates to take a shot at the University of Alabama. Ever since he resigned in the early 90's to leave for Kentucky (because he was going to be fired for his ineptitude, specifically his inability to beat Auburn), he's held an enormous grudge against Alabama and its administration. While I don't believe Alabama's administration is beyond rebuke, Curry has been holding a personal grudge against them from his short coaching tenure. I have never heard Bill say one positive word about the Crimson Tide program. He never hesitates at a chance to rip at them. He is, in my opinion, a sour puss cry baby.
Heh, my sentiments also
Did you ever catch a broadcast of any Mississippi State game that Curry did while Sherrill was still there? ooh, the bitterness that fellow harbors
TheYankee
01-03-07, 02:21 PM
Heh, my sentiments also
Did you ever catch a broadcast of any Mississippi State game that Curry did while Sherrill was still there? ooh, the bitterness that fellow harborsHa, thankfully I missed that. He truly is the most bitter analyst I have ever seen... I honestly don't understand why ESPN keeps him around when his agenda is so clear. Somebody obviously is friends with him up there.
Haven't seen this posted yet, but read this vitriolic article. This guy is all but calling Saban cursewords in print:
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/16374957.htm
The punctuation on the Nick Saban Error is greasy and greedy. You know what he was as Dolphins coach? A failure. A loser. A gasbag. And one of the worst investments Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga has ever made. He was less of a success than Dave Wannstedt and more of a traitor than Ricky Williams. There has been very little in franchise history that came with more expectations and fewer results than this hypocrite who at the end avoided the hard questions one last time.
RhodyYanksFan
01-03-07, 03:13 PM
Haven't seen this posted yet, but read this vitriolic article. This guy is all but calling Saban cursewords in print:
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/16374957.htm
Awesome article. I hate the Dolphins so I love seeing them in disarray like this.
AustinTXHorn
01-03-07, 03:13 PM
Correction. He was better off at LSU.
This is true, but the situation that he's walking into at Alabama is better than the one that he had at LSU. They were 4-7 and 3-8 in the two years before he got there. They hadn't won a new years bowl game since 1967.
RhodyYanksFan
01-03-07, 03:46 PM
This is true, but the situation that he's walking into at Alabama is better than the one that he had at LSU. They were 4-7 and 3-8 in the two years before he got there. They hadn't won a new years bowl game since 1967.
Wow...what makes this such a great job then?
TheYankee
01-03-07, 03:56 PM
Wow...what makes this such a great job then?I think a couple reasons, and it should be noted that it's a great job for Nick, but not necessarily everyone.
First, this is the next step in Saban's "journey" if you will. He's come full circle. After winning a national championship at LSU, he thought the Super Bowl was his next thing. However, when he arrived in Miami, he learned that his heart was truly as a college coach. Alabama provides him an opportunity to build a dynasty, one that he was in the process of making at LSU. It's the next step. I don't see him jumping ship in a couple years, because his next goal is to make a dynasty. That's all that's left now that he's decided the NFL game isn't right for him.
I think a couple reasons, and it should be noted that it's a great job for Nick, but not necessarily everyone.
First, this is the next step in Saban's "journey" if you will. He's come full circle. After winning a national championship at LSU, he thought the Super Bowl was his next thing. However, when he arrived in Miami, he learned that his heart was truly as a college coach. Alabama provides him an opportunity to build a dynasty, one that he was in the process of making at LSU. It's the next step. I don't see him jumping ship in a couple years, because his next goal is to make a dynasty. That's all that's left now that he's decided the NFL game isn't right for him.
How do you know all this?
TheYankee
01-03-07, 04:14 PM
How do you know all this?If you're trying to be cute with this post, you completely missed the point of my comments.
I believe that he's come full circle, realizes where he truly wants to be, and wants to build a NCAA dynasty. I didn't exactly spout off scientific theories here, I was expressing my opinion on what I see playing out.
cmaff05
01-03-07, 04:17 PM
I think a couple reasons, and it should be noted that it's a great job for Nick, but not necessarily everyone.
First, this is the next step in Saban's "journey" if you will. He's come full circle. After winning a national championship at LSU, he thought the Super Bowl was his next thing. However, when he arrived in Miami, he learned that his heart was truly as a college coach. Alabama provides him an opportunity to build a dynasty, one that he was in the process of making at LSU. It's the next step. I don't see him jumping ship in a couple years, because his next goal is to make a dynasty. That's all that's left now that he's decided the NFL game isn't right for him.
wayne huizenga, is that you
TheYankee
01-03-07, 04:21 PM
wayne huizenga, is that youI don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a slight. You tell me...
cmaff05
01-03-07, 04:24 PM
I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a slight. You tell me...
You know an awful lot about Nick Saban.. almost like a stalker kinda. ;)
TheYankee
01-03-07, 04:32 PM
You know an awful lot about Nick Saban.. almost like a stalker kinda. ;)I go to school at The University of Alabama, love SEC football, and have thus followed his career with some interest. If that makes me a stalker, so be it.
cmaff05
01-03-07, 04:35 PM
I go to school at The University of Alabama, love SEC football, and have thus followed his career with some interest. If that makes me a stalker, so be it.
How long until he is in the University of Alabama doghouse? One 9 win season?
CanoForPresident
01-03-07, 04:46 PM
Is it just coinsidence that he decided to announce this on the day of LSU's bowl game?
RIyankee
01-03-07, 04:57 PM
I like Saban and hope he succeeds in Bama.
I'm also very happy he's out of the Patriots hair.
TheYankee
01-03-07, 06:19 PM
How long until he is in the University of Alabama doghouse? One 9 win season?I can't really blame people like you for your ignorance. ESPN and the rest of the national media force feed it to you like they know the inside scoop at Bama.
Yes, Mike Shula won 10 games last year. He went 6-6 this year. And that's ALL the national media focuses on. They don't focus on the inept play calling, questionable personel decisions on the field. the horrible clock managemen, the obnoxious game management and discipline issues. All they see is a black and white number. 10 wins one year, 6 wins the next, and they assume the 6 is the deciding factor in the firing. It wasn't. It wasn't even close.
Most Bama fans expected a down year. They didn't expect to see us outcoached by the likes of a Duke and Florida International coaching staff. We didn't expect to get embarrased in every way by Slyvester Croom and a team with half as much talent as Bama.
But as I said. I can't blame you. You didn't watch every game like Bama fans did. What you also probably fail to realize is that Bama's athletic director Mal Moore was a football coach himself. He KNOWS when a high school coach could do a better job of coaching a team than Mike Shula. He saw the inability to produce anything original in a pressure situation. The 10 win season was a fluke, or at the very least, a product of simply great talent, especially that of the defense. It was not Mike Shula's expert play-calling that gave us those wins.
I'm guessing you'll disregard this and take the same old regurgitated stuff you hear from ESPN and FOXSports and the rest of them, but now you've got the opinion of an actual person that follows the Tide game by game. Take it for what it's worth, which in my opinion is worth a hell of a lot more than ESPN scratching there head going, "Well they were 10-2 last year!!!!1111!1!1!"
So, if you want to go on with your one line quips and continue to think you're cute doing so, so be it. At the very least you're now more informed of the actual circumstances that led us to this point.
JeffWeaverFan
01-03-07, 06:48 PM
Does Eric need a hug?
Nope, he's doing just fine without them, thank you very much.:)
This is true, but the situation that he's walking into at Alabama is better than the one that he had at LSU. They were 4-7 and 3-8 in the two years before he got there. They hadn't won a new years bowl game since 1967.
In Louisiana, LSU is the only fish in the pond. In Alabama he'll be competing with Auburn for recruits. I don't think he's in a better situation by any means. I also think he tarnished his name greatly and wouldn't be surprised if his reputation further inhibits his ability to recruit.
Being reported on Cold Pizza and the 790 radio ticker... As a Jet fan, this is great news.
I'm curious as to why?
As a Dolphin fan, I see an old team that has been below average during his tenure, problems all over the roster, and a team that was swept by two younger teams with newer coaches within his own division. What sucess he did have was largely because of players he inherited.
I wonder why you think its great news, do you see something in Saban that I'm missing?
RIyankee
01-03-07, 07:09 PM
Nope, he's doing just fine without them, thank you very much.:)
Rat Boy will need a whole lota lovin' after this Sunday. :D
JeffWeaverFan
01-03-07, 07:12 PM
I'm curious as to why?
As a Dolphin fan, I see an old team that has been below average during his tenure, problems all over the roster, and a team that was swept by two younger teams with newer coaches within his own division. What sucess he did have was largely because of players he inherited.
I wonder why you think its great news, do you see something in Saban that I'm missing?
Well, if you're a Dolphin fan, then you know a lot more about his coaching than I do. But, firstly, I think it is leaves a rival team in shambles. He seemingly was running the team and had he made the right decision regarding the QB, the Dolphins would have been quite good this year. I thought that he would turn it around because he is, by all accounts, a very good football mind.
Obviously he hasn't had success in his 2 seasons with the Dolphins, but his team has shown the signs that they are close. I just think that in the end, this will hurt the Dolphins more than help them. Especially if they sign one of the retread coaches.
AMYanks
01-03-07, 07:13 PM
It doesn't matter who their coach is, the team is a trainwreck.
JeffWeaverFan
01-03-07, 07:18 PM
Rat Boy will need a whole lota lovin' after this Sunday. :D
I just hope your players are taking the Jets as lightly as I think many fans are...
Jets have already shown the Patriots what they can do once, and will do that again.
27IsNext
01-03-07, 07:19 PM
How long until he is in the University of Alabama doghouse? One 9 win season?
No offense, but you don't know what you're talking about.
Since Paul "Bear" Bryant, 'Bama has had the following coaches:
1.) Ray Perkins (left 'Bama for a lot of money at Tampa Bay)
2.) Bill Curry (left because he was a mediocre coach who couldn't beat Auburn and was about to get fired)
3.) Gene Stallings (won 70 games in seven years and a national championship, retired because he didn't get along with then-UA President Andrew Sorensen and AD Bob Bockrath)
4.) Mike DuBose (fired for running the team into the ground and getting it on NCAA probation)
5.) Dennis Franchione (left for Texas A&M because 'Bama wouldn't give him full control of the team)
6.) Mike Price (never coached a game, fired for off-the-field behavior)
Funny how, despite the reputation that 'Bama is a coaching graveyard, only ONE of those coaches were for on-the-field results. One left because he sucked and was about to get fired (Curry), the rest for extenuating circumstances. Price was fired because he got busy with some hooker in Florida.
And then we have Mike Shula. Wanna know why we went 10-2 last season? Does the name Demeco Ryans ring a bell? He just won the NFL Defensive ROTY award. He played linebacker at 'Bama last season. Does the name Mark Anderson ring a bell? He was the runner-up for NFL Defensive ROTY. He played defensive end at 'Bama last season. Roman Harper was a starting safety for the Saints before he tore his ACL who played at 'Bama last season. Charlie Peprah (Green Bay) and Anthony Madison (Steelers) are both defensive backs from the '05 'Bama team.
Are you sensing a pattern here? We had the number two defense in the country last year. THAT'S why we won ten games. As soon as our playmaker on offense, Tyrone Prothro, went down for the year with a leg injury, we couldn't score points. Our defense bailed us out every game until it wasn't enough against LSU and Auburn.
Unfortunately, the defense wasn't as good this past season, so it couldn't bail out Mike Shula's TERRIBLE playcalling. He was fired as the OC at Tampa Bay because his offense couldn't score touchdowns, and it was the same at 'Bama. We had John Parker Wilson (QB) break the single-season passing record at UA and D.J. Hall (WR) break the single-season recieving record at UA, and we STILL couldn't score touchdowns. That's coaching.
You know how Torre is accused of playing favorites due to veteranness? Shula puts Torre to SHAME in this regard. You would not believe how much talent was sitting on the bench this past season because Shula looked at senority over ability. He also was soft on discipline. John Parker Wilson slapped a TA, and wasn't suspended. Our players bark at opponents after they make tackles TWENTY YARDS DOWNFIELD ON A BLOWN PLAY. No discipline. Workouts were voluntary, which means Simeon Castille (CB) benched more than most of our offensive line. That's a problem. Shula was 0-4 vs. Auburn and LSU, 1-3 vs. Tennessee and Arkansas, had a losing record against ranked teams and teams with winning records, and was 0-19 when trailing in the fourth quarter. Aside from his 10-2 season, where he had such a good D even he couldn't screw it up, he was 4-9, 6-6, and 6-6. Pathetic.
Shula was fired because he sucked. Not because 'Bama fans are spoiled.
As TheYankee said, you don't live in Alabama, nor do you attend school at the Capstone, so you really don't know what's going on. :)
It doesn't matter who their coach is, the team is a trainwreck.
That's my point exactly. The two best players on the team are Taylor and Thomas--both on the wrong side of 30, neither of whom acquired by Saban. The defensive line is older than dirt, Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday, Kevin Carter, Jeff Zgonia, Dan Wilkinson.... in short the only place on defense we're not old is in the secondary which was not very good last year. On offense, he's done nothing to address the glaring offensive line needs, the team hasn't had a strong left tackle since Webb retired, and the QB situation...
I hoped and prayed the Fins would stay away from Duante. He was a disaster before he got hurt last year, without Moss and Carter he was terrible, the only attribute was his running ability--which was compromised by the knee injury. I hoped I would be wrong but I felt that he and the Dolphins were both overrated going into the year.
BTW, know how many games the Fins had started for them by rookies last year--ZERO.
As a coach Saban wasn't bad but as a personnel guy he was brutal.
27IsNext
01-03-07, 07:51 PM
It's funny how teams like USC and Notre Dame, who sucked for years, got back on top with competent coaches. Now they expect to compete for National Championships every year.
But God forbid Alabama get a great coach to bring them back and compete for championships every year. How are our expectations different from USC's or ND's? And why are our fans maligned for being unrealistic while theirs aren't?
We're Yankee fans for crying out loud. We expect to make it to the post-season and compete for World Championships. Why the heck are we criticizing the Yankees of college football for having the same attitude?
secyank
01-03-07, 11:23 PM
DING DING DING!!!
We have a winner - 27isnext wins the gold star for the day
Very good points made for everyone who only sees the recent national media coverage
Also agreed on wondering why 'Bama fans are supposed to be happy with mediocrity. As a team in a premier sports conference with a self-supported athletic program, why shouldn't we do what it takes to win? That's a large part of the reason that I love the Yankees- whatever it takes to win (with character and class) will be done.
Bottom line for Saban: Saban won @ MSU & LSU while all along setting his sights for the NFL, he got there and realized that he enjoyed the college game more and came back to a great school.
Bottom line for 'Bama: Get the best possible coach-done.
TheYankee
01-04-07, 12:16 AM
It's funny how teams like USC and Notre Dame, who sucked for years, got back on top with competent coaches. Now they expect to compete for National Championships every year.
But God forbid Alabama get a great coach to bring them back and compete for championships every year. How are our expectations different from USC's or ND's? And why are our fans maligned for being unrealistic while theirs aren't?
We're Yankee fans for crying out loud. We expect to make it to the post-season and compete for World Championships. Why the heck are we criticizing the Yankees of college football for having the same attitude?Some excellent points. The double standard is appaling, and alot of it stems from the media. What the perpetrate often is simply spit right back out by those that listen to it.
cmaff05
01-04-07, 12:46 AM
2.) Bill Curry (left because he was a mediocre coach who couldn't beat Auburn and was about to get fired)
I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it.
secyank
01-04-07, 12:54 AM
Just out of curiosity, do you guys think that Shula was improving? Honestly, I would like to see him get another shot somewhere to see what he can do, because he was slowly (a snail's pace) developing from the deer in the headlights look to actually looking like anything other than a wax figure. Considering he really never should have even been hired, I guess it just makes it interesting to see what'll happen with him.
CanoForPresident
01-04-07, 12:56 AM
It's funny how teams like USC and Notre Dame, who sucked for years, got back on top with competent coaches. Now they expect to compete for National Championships every year.
But God forbid Alabama get a great coach to bring them back and compete for championships every year. How are our expectations different from USC's or ND's? And why are our fans maligned for being unrealistic while theirs aren't?
We're Yankee fans for crying out loud. We expect to make it to the post-season and compete for World Championships. Why the heck are we criticizing the Yankees of college football for having the same attitude?
Firstly, Notre Dame sucked for a few years, We (USC) SUCKED for years!
But I agree with what you said. If Alabama can have the success that SC has had the past 5 years, everyone will shut up.
Ok, I can accept the fact that LSU fans might be a little pissed off but he's still the guy who took a POS team and built them into a national champion. If it wasn't for Saban, they probably still suck.
With that said. Saban has his work cut out for him. Recruting in the SEC is no easy task, especailly since there isn't a ton of elite talent in Alabama.
secyank
01-04-07, 12:59 AM
I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it.
How many of them were from Fulmer?
Joking aside, (and by no means is it ok) probably every coach has some moron threaten them at some time or another. I do agree that one's safety should be foremost, were any of these death threats remotely credible? I frankly would like to know if any were serious, as I really don't know all I could about the situation. Of course it is very disturbing to learn of something like that, but can you really not get a university with such resources to offer a measure of protection or even a government sourced form of protection?
WebsterMulligan
01-04-07, 01:21 AM
I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it.
Yeah, I read about that.
Curry posted a record of 26-10, including one SEC Championship, and three bowl appearances during his three year tenure at Alabama.
That's a pretty good record, if you ask me.
DING DING DING!!!
We have a winner - 27isnext wins the gold star for the day
Very good points made for everyone who only sees the recent national media coverage
Also agreed on wondering why 'Bama fans are supposed to be happy with mediocrity. As a team in a premier sports conference with a self-supported athletic program, why shouldn't we do what it takes to win? That's a large part of the reason that I love the Yankees- whatever it takes to win (with character and class) will be done.
Bottom line for Saban: Saban won @ MSU & LSU while all along setting his sights for the NFL, he got there and realized that he enjoyed the college game more and came back to a great school.
Bottom line for 'Bama: Get the best possible coach-done.
Did he really enjoy the college game more? Had the Fins gone 12-4 and won the divison, would any of this had happened? His "enjoyment" of the college game had a lot to do with his failure in the NFL IMO. He wasn't getting the job done, saw an aging roster, saw the other teams in his own division getting better and younger, and rather than roll up his sleeves and get to work, he took the easy way out, using the "enjoyment" angle as an excuse.
Alabama is welcome to him.
secyank
01-04-07, 08:37 AM
Did he really enjoy the college game more? Had the Fins gone 12-4 and won the divison, would any of this had happened? His "enjoyment" of the college game had a lot to do with his failure in the NFL IMO. He wasn't getting the job done, saw an aging roster, saw the other teams in his own division getting better and younger, and rather than roll up his sleeves and get to work, he took the easy way out, using the "enjoyment" angle as an excuse.
Alabama is welcome to him.
The players are different in college than in the nfl. They are more moldable and can be more effectively coached. Not only that, but with recruiting he can bring in a wave of new talent each year rather than having to balance contractual issues. (Not to mention the atmosphere of the college game). It takes the lengths of the majority of your contracts (3,4,5+ years?) to shape a roster for your style of player in the nfl. NCAA - direct effects of recruiting in 1 and 2 years, fully effective in 4 years.
Like you said though, an AFC championship game appearance likely makes the NFL more enjoyable too.
secyank
01-04-07, 08:44 AM
Did he really enjoy the college game more? Had the Fins gone 12-4 and won the divison, would any of this had happened? His "enjoyment" of the college game had a lot to do with his failure in the NFL IMO. He wasn't getting the job done, saw an aging roster, saw the other teams in his own division getting better and younger, and rather than roll up his sleeves and get to work, he took the easy way out, using the "enjoyment" angle as an excuse.
Alabama is welcome to him.
We will probably agree to disagree on this, but his work ethic is rivaled by few so I don't really think he's afraid to roll up his sleeves. He hasn't even had time to shape the roster (as he had the power to do) for "his type" of player. He knew that no one would ever see the type of situation he had with the patience from the owner and personnel control he had. So I really think leaving a job like that as early as he did, maybe he really did like the other style better. Personally, I'd choose college so I can see why one would make that choice.
The players are different in college than in the nfl. They are more moldable and can be more effectively coached. Not only that, but with recruiting he can bring in a wave of new talent each year rather than having to balance contractual issues. (Not to mention the atmosphere of the college game). It takes the lengths of the majority of your contracts (3,4,5+ years?) to shape a roster for your style of player in the nfl. NCAA - direct effects of recruiting in 1 and 2 years, fully effective in 4 years.
Like you said though, an AFC championship game appearance likely makes the NFL more enjoyable too.
I don't disagree with what you are saying but it still sounds to me like he opted for immediate gratification and the easier path.
There really isn't any way to view his Miami tenure as a complete failure. The team didn't have any winning seasons, the roster is in worse shape,and the team finished last in its division. Rather than make the commitment to see the job through and to try to turn things around, he jumped ship.
secyank
01-04-07, 09:17 AM
I don't disagree with what you are saying but it still sonds to me like he opted for immediate gratification and the easier path.
There really isn't any way to view his Miami tenure as a complete failure. The team didn't have any winning seasons, the roster is in worse shape,and the team finished last in its division. Rather than make the commitment to see the job through and to try to turn things around, he jumped ship.
While I think that is very valid reasoning, I still am not sure if I am fully convinced that winning immediately is as big a factor as others, the appearance is as such. The program he's taking over isn't in shambles (in fact there's a lot of good young talent) but will take some time to develop into the powerhouse that it will become. I do think Alabama will win the West or SEC faster than the Dolphins would have won the AFC, maybe even their division. However, I really do feel that this time he is in it for the long haul (I think he thought he was in Miami at first)- he wants to build a perennial contender and knows it will take years of hard work.
While I think that is very valid reasoning, I still am not sure if I am fully convinced that winning immediately is as big a factor as others, the appearance is as such. The program he's taking over isn't in shambles (in fact there's a lot of good young talent) but will take some time to develop into the powerhouse that it will become. I do think Alabama will win the West or SEC faster than the Dolphins would have won the AFC, maybe even their division. However, I really do feel that this time he is in it for the long haul (I think he thought he was in Miami at first)- he wants to build a perennial contender and knows it will take years of hard work.
I think he'll be great for Alabama,and frankly I just might opt to be a college coach over a pro coach as well. I'm just scratching my head over the few comments I've seen about how this is bad for the Dolphins or how he prefered the college game.
The bottom line is winning, he didn't do it in Miami, had taken a step in the wrong direction, and jumped ship to take a job where he could get back to winning faster. Again, had the Fins won 12 games this year, I doubt he's even approached by Alabama. The Dolphins need someone to step in, turnover the roster to younger players, accept a couple of losing seasons,and try to build the team back up. Saban simply wasn't that guy and he knew it.
TheYankee
01-04-07, 11:34 AM
I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it.So, out of all of his comments, you choose to snipe one point? Why don't you just put a big banner in your sig that says, "ALABAMA SUCKS." ? Honestly, what's your beef? These one line quips prove nothing, mean nothing, and prove that you just enjoy taking pot shots.
cmaff05
01-04-07, 11:37 AM
So, out of all of his comments, you choose to snipe one point? Why don't you just put a big banner in your sig that says, "ALABAMA SUCKS." ? Honestly, what's your beef? These one line quips prove nothing, mean nothing, and prove that you just enjoy taking pot shots.
I'm sorry that I have no desire to go to discuss each and every one of the points you mentioned.
27IsNext
01-04-07, 12:05 PM
I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it.
As already said, every school has some hillbilly. The fact was, he couldn't beat Auburn, and was a mediocre coach at best. At some middling school like Kentucky, where he fled, that's fine. At Alabama, it's not. Picture the Yankees run by some bafoon who only fields a team that, at it's best, finishes second or third in the AL East and OCCASIONALLY will make the playoffs. We'd all be outraged. Translated to college football, that was Alabama under Bill Curry (and Mike Shula).
To paraphrase Gene Stallings in a radio interview yesterday in response to Curry, "If you're a football coach, you don't leave Alabama to coach at Kentucky."
secyank
01-04-07, 01:37 PM
Seems like a mediocre coach with a few high points -may have a jealous bone, but it sure doesn't look like he has a leg to stand on with his griping. Even with the record at Alabama, it's kind of like Stallings said: you don't leave Alabama to go to Kentucky if you're a coach. Good riddance to Curry, enough about him and his sour grapes.
Overall record at GT: 31-43-4 (.423)
W/L percent ranking among Tech's 11 coaches: next to last
Wins over UGA (2 of 7)
By year (11 regular games per season back then):
1980: 1-9-1 (beat Memphis State, tied by #1 Notre Dame)
1981: 1-10 (upset #4 Alabama in Birmingham, then not another game)
1982: 6-5 (beat Citadel, Memphis St., Tulane,Tennessee, UVA, WF)
1983: 3-8, 3-2 ACC (beat NC State, UVA, and WF)
1984: 6-4-1, 2-2-1 ACC (beat #19 AL, Citadel, #13 Clemson, Duke, and UGA!)
1985: 9-2-1, 5-1 ACC (beat UGA 2nd year in a row!)
1986: 5-5-1 3-3 ACC
Overall record at GT, Alabama, and Kentucky: 79-98-4
ALSO:
Bill Curry was hired prior to the 1980 season. He stated how coaching at GT was his lifelong dream. Most of us assumed he'd be staying at Tech even when offered better jobs, like Bobby Dodd did. .......
When Bill accepted the prestigious Alabama job, he justified it as a career progression move; pointing to Bama's many NCs, some relatively recent; and noting (as an aside) it simply wasn't possible to win another NC at Tech; given the academic restrictions. Bobby Ross disproved that just four seasons later. (Now, just two days ago, Bill said he's always been "embarassed" about leaving GT. Today, he's quoted as saying he didn't do it the best way.)
http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/wreck_ramblin/2006/01/bill_currys_coa.html#more
Curry went 26-10 while coaching the Tide from 1987-89, going 7-5, 9-3 and 10-2.
Also noted the for sale signs in his yard (funny) and the bricks through his windows (definitely not funny) http://www.kernel.uky.edu/1996/fall/1001/spt01f.html.
(I'd leave too I guess)
1990 Bill Curry 4- 7
1991 Bill Curry 3- 8
1992 Bill Curry 4- 7
1993 Bill Curry 6- 6 Peach (L) Clemson, 14-13
1994 Bill Curry 1- 10
1995 Bill Curry 4- 7
1996 Bill Curry 4- 7
http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=brtoday&page=cfoot/teams/direct524.htm
Definitely not a hot commodity. Didn't leave Stallings all that much to work either.
In summary, he sucked and was run out of town. Some dingleberries helped run him out of town, but that has nothing to do with settling for a mediocre football program.
TheYankee
01-04-07, 01:53 PM
I'm sorry that I have no desire to go to discuss each and every one of the points you mentioned.First, they were not my points, but that's beside the point.
I would have no problem with you addressing a single point if it wasn't done in such a way that tries to characterize the Alabama program from one derogotary comment you can come up with.
So far, you've added little to nothing to this discussion. You've included such gems as these:
"How long until he is in the University of Alabama doghouse? One 9 win season?"
"I guess the fact that he recieved numerous death threats had nothing to do with it."
If you really believe in these comments, fine, so be it. However, you're attempting to cast a negative light on a program by adding one liners that lack any substance. It's not exactly a fair exchange of opinions if you don't actually want to discuss the points and instead want to poke fun wherever you see fit.
If you have an actual opinion, it would be nice to discuss it with you. But the fact of the matter is you're sniping and have no real intention of hearing an alternative viewpoint.
But to quickly echo what 27isNext said, of courses you're going to find you insane fans at Alabama, but this is no different from every other school. Every school that has a passion for winning, in fact, every franchise in professional sports as well have their crazed fans who would stop at nothing to get what they want. These people are idiots, there is no other way to describe them. However, to characterize an entire school by the actions of a few morons is simply wrong. Fact of the matter was Curry couldn't beat Auburn, and that's a big deal in Alabama. You can't continue to lose to a team that you are suppose to be better than year in and year out. Curry never was able to handle the media pressure, and he's held a grudge for years because of it. He simply wasn't the right man for the job, and his cut and run to Kentucky of all places proved that.
TheYankee
01-04-07, 02:03 PM
SNIPReal nice analysis. Took some time I'm sure but thanks for the research.
To add further upon your comment about Curry saying Georgia Tech was his dream job, this was very true. This was so true that even during Alabama football practices, he allowed his assistants and staff to wear Georgia Tech clothing, hats, etc... Not exactly the dedication I'm looking for out of a head coach and staff.
secyank
01-04-07, 02:12 PM
Real nice analysis. Took some time I'm sure but thanks for the research.
To add further upon your comment about Curry saying Georgia Tech was his dream job, this was very true. This was so true that even during Alabama football practices, he allowed his assistants and staff to wear Georgia Tech clothing, hats, etc... Not exactly the dedication I'm looking for out of a head coach and staff.
Heh, par for the course I guess.
secyank
01-04-07, 02:14 PM
So what are the predictions?
Mine:
'07: 7-9 Wins
'08: 10 Wins/Possibly West
'09: West/SEC/BCS
'10: Sky is the limit
(Partial prediction, partial wish list) ;)
TheYankee
01-04-07, 02:44 PM
So what are the predictions?
Mine:
'07: 7-9 Wins
'08: 10 Wins/Possibly West
'09: West/SEC/BCS
'10: Sky is the limit
(Partial prediction, partial wish list) ;)So are you officially a Bama fan, then? I had my suspicions, wasn't sure until now. :D
I think 8 wins should be in the books for next year. Tough games are at home (LSU, Tennessee, Florida) and the one tough road test is at Auburn. After that, time will tell obviously but I think we'll see a pretty quick turnaround... should be competing for BCS berth every year with 3 years.
secyank
01-04-07, 02:48 PM
So are you officially a Bama fan, then? I had my suspicions, wasn't sure until now. :D
I think 8 wins should be in the books for next year. Tough games are at home (LSU, Tennessee, Florida) and the one tough road test is at Auburn. After that, time will tell obviously but I think we'll see a pretty quick turnaround... should be competing for BCS berth every year with 3 years.
That's basically what I foresee too. Very tough to do, but hey, that's why we got Saban. It really may be a bit much to say looking at that every year, but it really isn't too tall an order to compete for the west year in and year out - and if you do that the conference & bcs should fall into place on their own.
Oh yeah, Roll Tide is in my vocabulary!
Yes, Mike Shula won 10 games last year. He went 6-6 this year. And that's ALL the national media focuses on. They don't focus on the inept play calling, questionable personel decisions on the field. the horrible clock managemen, the obnoxious game management and discipline issues. All they see is a black and white number. 10 wins one year, 6 wins the next, and they assume the 6 is the deciding factor in the firing. It wasn't. It wasn't even close.
As a Miami fan who expierenced this with Coker, I can agree with you 100%. 'Bama has every right to do all they can to get their "guy".
TheYankee
01-04-07, 05:47 PM
As a Miami fan who expierenced this with Coker, I can agree with you 100%. 'Bama has every right to do all they can to get their "guy".Yep, I also agree with you as well in your assesment of Coker. I was able to watch a few games and always wondered what was going on with his teams. His teams got worse, not better, and after the initial honeymoon period ended, we saw discipline problems as well.
RIyankee
01-05-07, 09:46 AM
http://www.profootballtalk.com/RunNickyRun.jpg
The Nicktator arrives in Alabama.
27IsNext
01-05-07, 10:01 AM
http://www.profootballtalk.com/RunNickyRun.jpg
The Nicktator arrives in Alabama.
:roflmao:
He told the fans to know their role yesterday. These guys should behave themselves...
Buckeye Yank
01-05-07, 10:46 AM
It's funny how teams like... Notre Dame, who sucked for years, got back on top with competent coaches. Now they expect to compete for National Championships every year.
Ummmm....did I miss something??? Last time I checked, ND wasn't "back on top" or "competing for a national championship". :dunno:
Back on topic: I think Saban will do great things at Alabama much like he did at LSU.
secyank
01-05-07, 11:21 AM
Ummmm....did I miss something??? Last time I checked, ND wasn't "back on top" or "competing for a national championship". :dunno:
Back on topic: I think Saban will do great things at Alabama much like he did at LSU.
Good point, ND looked craptacular in the 2nd half the other night (amongst other times).
Buckeye, do you think OSU will take it home Monday? I hope not, but I'm afraid it'll happen.
27IsNext
01-05-07, 11:33 AM
Ummmm....did I miss something??? Last time I checked, ND wasn't "back on top" or "competing for a national championship". :dunno:
Back on topic: I think Saban will do great things at Alabama much like he did at LSU.
I hate ND as much as the next guy, but I think Weiss has them moving in the right direction. Their garbage big-game performances are mind-boggling to me, but I doubt it lasts.
27IsNext
01-05-07, 11:35 AM
Good point, ND looked craptacular in the 2nd half the other night (amongst other times).
Buckeye, do you think OSU will take it home Monday? I hope not, but I'm afraid it'll happen.
In fairness, LSU had infinitely more talent than ND, and the cream rose to the top. LSU probably has the most talent as anyone in the nation this side of Southern Cal. Ironically enough, most of the LSU players were recruited by our new head coach.
TheYankee
01-05-07, 12:08 PM
Ummmm....did I miss something??? Last time I checked, ND wasn't "back on top" or "competing for a national championship". :dunno: I completely agree, but that wasn't really the point. When Notre Dame hired Charlie Weis, the media treated it as the best thing since Jesus Christ. When Alabama hired Nick Saban, we had guys like Ivan Maisel calling Alabama "desperate," fellas like Bill Curry decrying it as a hire that "hurts" college football (as if 4 million is so much more than 3+ million), and Pat Forde trying to vilify Saban for saying "No" when he was asked if he wanted the Alabama job in the middle of his season. So, why the difference? Why is Charlie Weis God Incarnate on earth according to the media and Nick Saban becomes the anti-Christ?
RIyankee
01-05-07, 02:25 PM
More good stuff from PFT (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm)...
POSTED 12:35 p.m. EST, January 5, 2007
SABAN'S CONTRACT HAD NO BUYOUT CLAUSE FOR COLLEGE JOBS
A league source tells us that former Fins coach Nick Saban was able to jump to Alabama because his contract contained no provision requiring money to be paid to the Dolphins in the event that he opted to return to coach at the college level.
This means, we believe, that Saban essentially had the ability to leave the Fins at any time, if he elected to go back to an NCAA team.
So why would owner Wayne Huizenga have allowed such a provision to appear in Saban's contract? Because Saban had all the leverage at the time. Huizenga wanted him, Saban knew it; thus, Saban was able to dictate his terms.
We investigated this matter because several readers expressed confusion to us regarding the ability of Saban to ditch the Dolphins with three years left on his deal. In this case, it appears that Saban anticipated the possibility that he would ultimately decide that he didn't like the pro game. And it likewise appears that Huizenga prospectively agreed to let him walk out the door now, in order to get him to walk through it then.
27IsNext
01-05-07, 09:11 PM
Saban's Alabama contract doesn't have a buyout either.
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