Rodriguez to ‘Bama (Or Not): Unrealistic Fans Require Desperate Measures.

December 8, 2006 at 9:54 am · Filed under Uncategorized

ESPN is reporting that WVU Coach Rich Rodrigez has accepted the Alabama head coaching position.  What was he thinking?  The Alabama situation is a coaching hotseat, with unrealistic fans and expectations.  Two million dollars will buy alot of coach, but the problems at Alabama go beyond who’s wearing the headset.

When Dennis Franchione left for Texas A&M that should have been a wake-up call to ‘Bama fans.  And after multiple poor hires, Mike Shula seemed to be the perfect fit.  When Shula was run out of town, the average ‘Bama fan should have sounded the alarm.  Something is wrong in Tuscaloosa.

Instead most ‘Bama fans assumed they could have their pick of coaches, and that  RR would jump at the chance to coach their team.  He appears to have accepted, with an announcemet emminent, but the ‘Bama fans expectations in this situation are similar to their expectations for their team, overblown.  RR may take the job, but he certainly hasn’t jumped at the chance.

Many ‘Bama fans are claiming RR  will lead the Tide to a NC in three years.  Right now, Bama is behind Florida, LSU, Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee in their own conference, about on par with Arkansas.  From the sixth or seventh best program in the SEC to a national championship in three years, lol.  Possible? Yes.   Likely? No.

Here are some stats for Tide fans to chew on:

Since 1995 Alabama’s overall record is 85-60, a winning percentage of .586.

Won or shared division titles:

Auburn 6, LSU 5, Florida 4, Tennesee 4, Georgia 3, Arkansas 3, Alabama 3

Conference Titles:

Florida 4, LSU 2, Georgia 2, Tennessee 2, Auburn 1, Alabama 1

Alabama’s record against:

Tennessee  2-10, Auburn  4-8,  LSU 5-7,   Arkansas 5-7,  Georgia 1-2,   Fla 3-3

Overall against those teams,  20-37  (.351)

But all that is expected of the next coach is a national title, and soon.  That is why the general opinion is that  ’Bama fans are unrealistic.

Whoever ‘Bama hires will be their 6th coach since 1995. If the reason Shula was let go was because of his record against the top SEC teams, the coaches preceding him were equally as bad. Somehow, constantly changing coaches doesn’t seem to have fixed the problem. Shula was the fourth coach during that time to have a 10 win season, yet all are gone.

Stability matters. One coach retired, one left, and two had to go. Most of us understand that. But when Shula was fired one year after a 10 win season, after taking ‘Bama to a bowl in a rebuilding year, it’s apparent ‘Bama is desperate.

And unrealistic.

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(Since I posted this, ESPN has removed their story and Rodriguez is said to be in negotiations with WVU.  The plot thickens.)

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(I originally posted most of this on  CBS message boards.  I have edited and compiled it here.)

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Original post by Bread and Circuses

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Tressel: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

December 4, 2006 at 8:23 am · Filed under Uncategorized

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel abstained for voting in the final poll.  Tressel released this comment.  "After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate in the final poll."

This is a side effect from the BCS decision to publicize the particulars of the final vote.  The move was made to avoid shenanigans by coaches and conferences which might unduly change the outcome of the voting.   Tressel’s abstention didn’t matter in the overall final polling, but USA Today sports editor Monte Lorell expressed his disappointment and indicated it might cost Tressel his involvement in the poll. 

Grant Teaff, AFCA executive director, seemed to side with Tressel’s "unusual circumstance."  And I agree.  Think about it.  No matter how Tressel voted, once it was publicized everyone would question his motives.  Vote for his Big 10 brethren Michigan, and he’d be criticized as a "homer".  Vote for Florida, and it would be on Michigan’s bulletin board for the next five years. 

The old saying is "Discretion is the better part of valor."  In this case, not only did Tressel show great discretion, he also did the ethically correct thing, taking no chance  at having his vote decide who OSU should play.  The possiblility that that could even occur is another fallacy in a system riddled with fallacies.  Tressels decision was a class act, and hes doesn’t deserve to be criticized or punished for it.

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Information and quotes in this post came from AP

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