Skip to main content

I knew it would happen. You can't lose to Auburn 5 times and expect to keep your job.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/college/4361589.html
__________________________ A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. ”— Thomas Jefferson
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

ya go 10 and 2 get a 200k signing bonus and a 1.55 mill a year contract extention in may the fired for a 6-6 season. PLus a scandal free program ...Alabama places a greater emphasis on winning at all costs than they do their FB program.....Well UTEP might send Mike Price back....he went 5-7 there. Good luck to the next flavor of the day...and the bear would be disgusted
Shula just finished his 4th season, starting only weeks before the 2003 season. This means he has only recruited 3 classes which would mean his first recruits are now 3rd year Sophomores or Juniors. With the situation Bama was in when he came it is hard to believe they didn't let his players become upper class men before pulling the trigger to fire him.
Most pre-season predictions had Bama at 7-5 or 8-4 at best this year. Whoever comes in could go 10-2 next year with Shula's team, but they better hope he can recruit his own players for years to come.
From what I understand, Shula was given the opportunity to lay out a plan to right the ship. His plan was simply to move some assistants around and give up some of the play calling. Mal met with him a second time asking for a better plan and Shula didn't have one. At that time Mal had no option but to recommend Shula not be retained. Shula went down with the ship. I have mixed emotions with his firing and wish him well. Shula had a hard road to hoe from the beginning and did well in alot of aspects. But in the end, the inability to change cost him his job.
None of you guys get it. I like Shula, but liking don't win football games.
Alabama has made a lot of mistakes when it comes to hiring a football coach, especially Dubose and Shula.
For all of their good points, they both share a common misgiving. They don't have the respect of their players. This is something that must be earned early, and can't be gotten later.
This is the basis of what makes a player reach his potential and play his heart out for his coach. Basically, they beleive in their coach.
Dubose and Shula also share another truth. Neither had ever been a head coach at any level, nor had they shown any abition to be a head coach.
Let's face it, if Gene Stallings was still coaching at Alabama, Dubose would still be an Alabama , assistant, and Shula would still be an assiatant in the NFL.
We need a guy that is self made, someone who has worked his was up the ladder, and beed a head coach, most of all is a proven commodity.
I think 'Bama got rid of the WRONG person in this case. So now, where they are will make the other southern teams very happy, because they have to recruit a new Coach, and give HIM time to build a team.

Shula wasn't given the proper time to build, and that has been Alabama's downfall for a lot of years.

I am a "ROLLLLL TIDE" fan, but I am disgusted with this decision. I sort of wish that my mouth COULD form the words 'war eagle', lol.
quote:
Originally posted by mjallen1:
None of you guys get it. I like Shula, but liking don't win football games.
Alabama has made a lot of mistakes when it comes to hiring a football coach, especially Dubose and Shula.
For all of their good points, they both share a common misgiving. They don't have the respect of their players. This is something that must be earned early, and can't be gotten later.
This is the basis of what makes a player reach his potential and play his heart out for his coach. Basically, they beleive in their coach.
Dubose and Shula also share another truth. Neither had ever been a head coach at any level, nor had they shown any abition to be a head coach.
Let's face it, if Gene Stallings was still coaching at Alabama, Dubose would still be an Alabama , assistant, and Shula would still be an assiatant in the NFL.
We need a guy that is self made, someone who has worked his was up the ladder, and beed a head coach, most of all is a proven commodity.


Sorry, but I disagree with what you said here. I think that given a little more time, Shula could have made 'Bama a winning team. I don't think there is anyone out there that can walk into a coaching job and not have to work hard at building a team and teamwork.

We all have to face the facts that the recruiting of players just is NOT there for Alabama right now, we cannot get the awesome kids that years ago would have given anything to play with the Tide.

Firing Shula is going to kill the Team Spirit at Alabama for a very long while.
They should dig Paul Bryant up because that is what everyone at Alabama wants, a "bear" look-a-like. They think stallings did such a great job, but it was just his "bear" resemblances that people fell head over heels for. He won his games because of the recruiting of the coach they tortured and made flee to KY. Don't forget, Shula was going to be the Savior. Teams
are never dominant for more than a few years and then it goes to another team. Alabama fans think they will win because a new coach steps in.......that takes years and Alabama will not give a new coach a chance. Let those old cronies die off and let "Bear" rest in Peace and look for some new blood, WITHOUT Alabama attachments and give him a chance, then MAYBE they will be able to beat Auburn.
quote:
Originally posted by bgreider:
ya go 10 and 2 get a 200k signing bonus and a 1.55 mill a year contract extention in may the fired for a 6-6 season. PLus a scandal free program ...Alabama places a greater emphasis on winning at all costs than they do their FB program.....Well UTEP might send Mike Price back....he went 5-7 there. Good luck to the next flavor of the day...and the bear would be disgusted


The Bear wouldn't be disgusted. Whether you like him or not, or whether he's a good guy or not (which I think most of us agree he is), his job is to win football games, not be a nice guy.

Other than the 10-2 year, he was a total of 16-21 at a very prestigious football university. And even with last year's team, that was an unbelievably talented team. Yet look how many games they had to fight tooth and nail just to win.. against mediocre teams.

I wasn't happy when they hired Shula, and I am happy now that he's gone. He's NEVER been a successful coach anywhere he's been. His offense is vanilla, his playcalling is suspect and his decision making ability is questionable at best.

Mal Moore should also be gone with Shula.
Bear Bryant has been gone for 23 years.
Do the math. Players on Alabama's team were not alive yet when Bear last coached. Yes the legacy lives - but it is just that - a legacy.

Alabama did not make Bear Bryant great, the Bear made Alabama great.

The Bama elite need to realize they should stop trying to hire someone to carry on Bear's legacy and instead hire someone to begin a new legacy, which was the thought in hiring Shula and four years wasn't enough time.
quote:
Originally posted by imho:
Bear Bryant has been gone for 23 years.
Do the math. Players on Alabama's team were not alive yet when Bear last coached. Yes the legacy lives - but it is just that - a legacy.

Alabama did not make Bear Bryant great, the Bear made Alabama great.

The Bama elite need to realize they should stop trying to hire someone to carry on Bear's legacy and instead hire someone to begin a new legacy, which was the thought in hiring Shula and four years wasn't enough time.


I agree with part of your statement. The part about getting away from the past. However, I disagree with the Shula part. 4 years is enough time to show some lasting improvement.

Isn't your statement a bit contradictory? You say get away from the past but yet you say Shula should've been given more time. He was hired simply on the merit of him being a former Alabama player. His record speaks for itself. He's NEVER been successful anywhere.. not just Bama.. ANYWHERE.
quote:
Originally posted by jesspow:
4 years is enough time to show some lasting improvement.

Isn't your statement a bit contradictory? You say get away from the past but yet you say Shula should've been given more time. He was hired simply on the merit of him being a former Alabama player. His record speaks for itself. He's NEVER been successful anywhere.. not just Bama.. ANYWHERE.


Contradictory? 4 years is a blink of the eye in history. That isn't long enough for his recruits to be upper classmen (1st year he had no recruits of his). He was hired in part because HE WAS THE ONLY ONE to accept the lame duck position.
Not successful? 10-2 in 2005 wasn't a success coming off probation? How soon people forget.

According to ESPN no college football head coach has ever led two different schools to national titles. The Bear, Stallings, Spurier, Saban, all came to their schools without being the greatest of their time - most of them were historically losers - then they built something.
quote:
Originally posted by imho:

Contradictory? 4 years is a blink of the eye in history. That isn't long enough for his recruits to be upper classmen (1st year he had no recruits of his).


We're talking about football, not history. Secondly, his first recruits were juniors. Since when did that no longer be considered an upper classmen?


quote:
Originally posted by imho:
He was hired in part because HE WAS THE ONLY ONE to accept the lame duck position.


Incorrect. Granted, it wasn't an ideal situation, but not because it was Bama or anything of the sorts, simply because of the timing, after the whole Price debacle.

If you'll recall, there were numerous other candidates interviewing for the job. Personally, I was pulling for Croom.



quote:
Originally posted by imho:
Not successful? 10-2 in 2005 wasn't a success coming off probation? How soon people forget.


Again, last year aside, he was 16-21. And even in his 10-2 season, with a team loaded with great senior talent, we still had to struggle to beat teams like Ole Miss, and teams that were in disarray like UT.

quote:
Originally posted by imho:
According to ESPN no college football head coach has ever led two different schools to national titles. The Bear, Stallings, Spurier, Saban, all came to their schools without being the greatest of their time - most of them were historically losers - then they built something.


Shula would've never built anything. As I stated before, his coaching record speaks for itself. He's been fired from every job he's had, and was about to be let go when Bama gave him this position.

He was ok for a few years. I think even the most ardent Shula supporter knew deep down this was PR more than a coach to lead us into the future. Shula is a nice guy and will run a clean program, be cordial to the media and smile when interviewed. That's what we needed form a public relations standpoint after Dubose, Fran, and Price. But he's hardly a good coach.
quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
Secondly, his first recruits were juniors. Since when did that no longer be considered an upper classmen?


His first recruits, which didn't come until his 2nd year would be 3rd year sophomores or juniors. Hardly seasoned veterans like a 4th or 5th year senior. The next coach will reap benefits of Shula's recruiting. 10-2 in 2007.

quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
Personally, I was pulling for Croom.


That explains a lot!

quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
Again, last year aside, he was 16-21.


I never understood how someone can erase a year from someone's record? If winning big is a criteria then forget Stalling's championship.

quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
Shula would've never built anything.


We'll never know.

quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
I think even the most ardent Shula supporter knew deep down this was PR more than a coach to lead us into the future. Shula is a nice guy and will run a clean program, be cordial to the media and smile when interviewed. That's what we needed form a public relations standpoint after Dubose, Fran, and Price.


Finally something we agree on - however it is a mighty sleazy way to run a program. The day of people lining up to coach at Bama are over (for now). It can be there again, but changes at the top are needed.
quote:
Originally posted by imho:

His first recruits, which didn't come until his 2nd year would be 3rd year sophomores or juniors. Hardly seasoned veterans like a 4th or 5th year senior. The next coach will reap benefits of Shula's recruiting. 10-2 in 2007.


I highly disagree. Juniors are considered to be seasoned vets on the college ranks. Just look at how many leave after their junior year.


quote:
Originally posted by imho:
I never understood how someone can erase a year from someone's record? If winning big is a criteria then forget Stalling's championship.


Who's erasing a year? I'm making a point. You keep bringing up one out of FOUR years. This year was probably the easiest schedule we've had in recent memory and probably will for quite sometime.. yet we go 6-6? And lose to Mississippi State?

quote:
Originally posted by imho:
We'll never know.


Nah, I know he would not have built anything. Look back at his coaching as I have said before. He was the Offensive Coordinator with Tampa Bay. What was the knock on Tampa Bay all those years? Great D, but terrible O. After he was FIRED from there when his offense was NEVER ranked higher than 22nd in the NFL, he went on to be the quarterbacks coach at the Miami Dolphins.

Since Marino's retirement what's been the knock on Miami? Terrible QB play. Yeah sure they haven't had the best guys there, but the QB play was horrible.. point blank. Everything he's done, he's failed at, in the spectrum of coaching.

I don't wish any ill-will on him and I hope he's successful in whatever he ventures to next. Like I said, I think he's a geniunely nice guy, I just dont think he's a very good football coach.
Shula was doing well at Miami. It was Jimmy Johnson 's determination to run the ball that kept him from winning more than they did at Miami.

Next was WHINE-STEAD. He sux worse then Jimmy Johnson did. Shula was an exellent postion coach. He did good with what he had to work with after Dan Marino retired.( Jay Fielder)

As for Tampa Bay ,it is known as a BREEDING ground for Super Bowl quarter backs. As offensive coordinator under Tony Dungy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team enjoyed great success and narrowly missed the Super Bowl after losing a fierce contest with the eventual Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.

Shula was done wrong. Mal Moore needs to go as well as pulling some of Bear Brynt jrs influence.

If Shulas would have stayed Alabama would be contending for a national championship over the next few years.
Last edited by The Fonze
imaho i believe you are incorrect Alabama did make the bear great...Dont forget about the six national titles they have prior to the bear...and for all you Auburn fans thats still about 5 more than you have! ROLL TIDE!...Shula was just hired to bridge them out of the probationary period...dont feel to sorry for him, the university only has to pay him $68,000 a month for the next five years....I think he will be able to survive on that!
quote:
Originally posted by Confederate Gentleman:
Shula was doing well at Miami. It was Jimmy Johnson 's determination to run the ball that kept him from winning more than they did at Miami.

Next was WHINE-STEAD. He sux worse then Jimmy Johnson did. Shula was an exellent postion coach. He did good with what he had to work with after Dan Marino retired.( Jay Fielder)

As for Tampa Bay ,it is known as a BREEDING ground for Super Bowl quarter backs. As offensive coordinator under Tony Dungy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team enjoyed great success and narrowly missed the Super Bowl after losing a fierce contest with the eventual Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.

Shula was done wrong. Mal Moore needs to go as well as pulling some of Bear Brynt jrs influence.

If Shulas would have stayed Alabama would be contending for a national championship over the next few years.


Obviously you're either insane or a huge Shula fan. Shula's record speaks for itself. He has been fired from everywhere he's been other than Miami, when we snatched him up as they were about to fire him. His offense with the Bucs never achieved a higher rank than 22nd in the NFL. Those numbers do not lie.

Shula is terrible at clock management, decision making and play calling. Always has been, always will be. It's just a fact.
quote:
Originally posted by jesspow:
quote:
Originally posted by Confederate Gentleman:
Shula was doing well at Miami. It was Jimmy Johnson 's determination to run the ball that kept him from winning more than they did at Miami.

Next was WHINE-STEAD. He sux worse then Jimmy Johnson did. Shula was an exellent postion coach. He did good with what he had to work with after Dan Marino retired.( Jay Fielder)

As for Tampa Bay ,it is known as a BREEDING ground for Super Bowl quarter backs. As offensive coordinator under Tony Dungy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team enjoyed great success and narrowly missed the Super Bowl after losing a fierce contest with the eventual Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.

Shula was done wrong. Mal Moore needs to go as well as pulling some of Bear Brynt jrs influence.

If Shulas would have stayed Alabama would be contending for a national championship over the next few years.


Obviously you're either insane or a huge Shula fan. Shula's record speaks for itself. He has been fired from everywhere he's been other than Miami, when we snatched him up as they were about to fire him. His offense with the Bucs never achieved a higher rank than 22nd in the NFL. Those numbers do not lie.

Shula is terrible at clock management, decision making and play calling. Always has been, always will be. It's just a fact.


You must get your sports info by playing Madden 1999 rather than keeping up with news and events. Shula was NOT going to be released from the Dolphins.

Last year Alabama was 10-2. They destroyed Florida. Shula was only in his 3rd year as a head coach. He had never been a head coach on any level.

Franchone did not recruit any O-linmen.

Shula had already took Alabama to the next level in 05 with a team that was on PROBATION. He also lost what seniors were their in 05. He was a GREAT recruitor. He was learning on the job and Mal Moore, Witt, and the rest of those jerks knew it.

Win and lost records are the only records that count. You have to work with what talent level you have. The entire coaching staff got fired from Tampa not just Shula.

Shula was learnig on the job and he would have gotten better. I think he did need to diciplne his player more than he did. There were some serious issue in that regaurd.

The bottom line is that Mal Moore and the Alabama good old boys have ruined Alabamas great tradition.
If jesspow or MonkeysUncle or whoever is logged in can honestly say that a coach has 3 to 4 years to bring Bama back to consistent national championship caliber then you are just the type of fan that has brought this problem of coaching turnover to Alabama.

Moore and Witt cave in to whiners about not being #1 and they still think that every coach would come to Bama if just asked.
How many turned down the job that Shula took? Whoever takes it now has a much better team than Shula started with and they will win next year, but coaches will either use Bama as a stepping stone leaving before things go bad again (Fran) or they'll be run off after their 3rd or 4th year of not winning a championship (Curry, Shula.)
If Spurrier doesn't (or won't) come then I think we are in for another disaster in 3 to 4 years unless fans like you get some patience and a new AD and/or prez.

If a top name coach can't be secured this time (proven coach, proven record) then Moore should be FIRED.
quote:

You must get your sports info by playing Madden 1999 rather than keeping up with news and events. Shula was NOT going to be released from the Dolphins.


Certainly. His record speaks for itself (much the same way he's been FIRED from EVERY job he's had and the way his Tampa Bay offense never was higher than 22nd in the NFL), but hey, that's just me and those Madden 1999 facts. (super witty btw!!)

quote:

Last year Alabama was 10-2. They destroyed Florida. Shula was only in his 3rd year as a head coach. He had never been a head coach on any level.


Yeah they destroyed Florida. Other than that, they struggled with mediocre opponents with a senior laden team. I was happy with last year, but I believe there was a lot of smoke and mirrors.

quote:

Shula had already took Alabama to the next level in 05 with a team that was on PROBATION. He also lost what seniors were their in 05. He was a GREAT recruitor. He was learning on the job and Mal Moore, Witt, and the rest of those jerks knew it.


To the next level? ROFL They were 6-6 this year, I guess they came back down a level huh? Is that you Mike? Stop posting on Times Daily Shula !!

quote:

Win and lost records are the only records that count. You have to work with what talent level you have. The entire coaching staff got fired from Tampa not just Shula.


Two things. 1.) Tampa's offense was HORRENDOUS. Anyone who knows jack about football knows it. He was the OC. But ya know.. that's just Madden 99 talk.

2.) I agree wins and losses matter a lot. (See: 26-23)

quote:

Shula was learnig on the job and he would have gotten better. I think he did need to diciplne his player more than he did. There were some serious issue in that regaurd.


You don't "learn on the job" at a major Division 1 Program.

quote:

The bottom line is that Mal Moore and the Alabama good old boys have ruined Alabamas great tradition.


We agree that Mal Moore is an idiot. But Shula would've never taken this program to where it needs to be and where the fans expect it to be.
quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:

quote:

Shula was learnig on the job and he would have gotten better. I think he did need to diciplne his player more than he did. There were some serious issue in that regaurd.


You don't "learn on the job" at a major Division 1 Program.



A Division I program hiring a person that had never been a head coach is hiring him to "learn on the job." If this was Bama's mistake then so be it, but two wrongs don't make a right.

He was about to make his hardest decisions ever - to fire some of his coaches. This is a good article on what was really going on and how Bama really blew it letting Shula go.

http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/sports/1164709...amnews?ssport&coll=2

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×