Email
PW
sign up!

You Are Here

GET BAMA GEAR!
+ TF Logo Store
+ S.N.A.S.S. GEAR
+ TideFanStore.com

SPORTS BOARDS
+ Football
+ Basketball
+ Recruiting
+ Women's Sports
+ Baseball
+ Pro Sports
+ HighSchoolSports

OTHER BOARDS
+ Non-Sports
+ The BookEnds
+ Game Videos
+ Ticket Swap
+ Site Troubleshoot
+ MDB Alumni
+ PrayerRequests
+ Job Network
+ Free Signup

OTHER FEATURES
+ Alabama Weekly
+ Affiliates
+ Fan Interaction
+ Fan Poll
+ Features
+ Foundations
+ Links
+ Online Store
+ Recruiting
+ Sports Headlines
+ UA Sports Info

ABOUT TIDEFANS

ADVERTISE HERE!

PRICE IS RIGHT FOR THIS JOB
OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWNS ON PRICE'S WSU TEAMS

December 18, 2002
by Jess Nicholas
Editor in Chief

Alabama’s coaching search, which lasted only two weeks but must have felt like years to most Alabama fans, finally ended Dec. 17 with the hiring of Mike Price of Washington State.

Price, a veteran coach with a history of developing quarterbacks and high-powered offensive systems, comes to Alabama in what is arguably the lowest point in the program’s history since at least the arrival of Paul Bryant, if not ever. Washington State, a school with a stadium that seats less than 40,000 and rarely fills it to capacity, has been to three Rose Bowls in its history – two of them under Price.

Get Your Bama Gear Here!

Save This	Email This
	Discuss This
Aim This Story

Price does not come into the job without at least some doubts among the Tide faithful, however. His career winning percentage is hovering around the .500 mark, and there are some questions as to whether he can recruit effectively in an unfamiliar area. But the successes at WSU in recent years – including a 20-4 mark over the last two seasons there – as well as Price’s open reverence for the Alabama job, mean that he can expect broad-based support from the fans.

Below, we break down what Price’s Washington State teams have been like, and what we expect him to do.

What kind of offense will Alabama run?

If Price’s past history is to be believed, a very high-powered one. Here are the statistics for the leaders of Washington State’s offensive skill set in 2002:

Quarterback
Jason Gesser: 219-368-11, 3,169 yards, (59.5%) 27TDs

Running backs
Jermaine Green 142-784
John Tippins 113-556

Receivers
Jerome Riley 48-800
Devard Darling 49-725
Mike Bush 48-691
Scott Lunde 28-347
Troy Bienemann 15-233
Sammy Moore 7-213
Jonathan Smith 15-176
Collin Henderson 19-158
Jermaine Green 14-127

Washington State’s base set features three wide receivers, a tight end and a running back. This is a spread offense, designed to put up points quickly and attack all areas of the field, mostly through the air. Washington State ranked 12^th in passing offense nationally, with 297.17 yards per game. The Cougars were ranked 62^nd in rushing offense and 11^th in total offense. Quarterback Jason Gesser was ranked 19^th in total individual offense and 5^th in passing efficiency.

What about defense? Special teams?

Washington State boasted the seventh-best rushing defense in the nation this year, ranked 35^th in scoring defense, and ranked 37^th in both pass efficiency defense and total defense. On the downside, the Cougars were 103^rd in pass defense, which measures passing yardage allowed only.

When taken in the context of their conference, however, the Cougars’ numbers look much better. Washington State recorded more than 50 sacks in 2002, which led the PAC-10. WSU also finished third in the PAC-10 in total defense and scoring defense, and second in rushing defense.

Individually, several Cougars did well on defense. Jason David led the NCAA in interceptions, averaging 0.78 interceptions per game played.

WSU’s defense is as aggressive as its offense. It is a high risk-reward scheme that puts a premium on pressuring the quarterback.

As for special teams, placekicker Drew Dunning ranked third in NCAA Div-I in field goal kicking, and was the 15^th-leading scorer nationwide. The Cougars ranked 31^st in net punting and 39^th in punt returns, both very good ratings, but struggled on kickoff returns, ranking 98^th.

Where does Alabama go from here?

We expect Alabama to take on Coach Price’s offensive and defensive identities rather quickly. Some of Price’s assistants are expected to remain in Pullman, which means Price will be looking for at least a few replacements. But regardless of who Price brings in, expect Alabama to begin to develop its vertical passing game more. With Alabama possessing good talent at the offensive skill positions, Alabama’s offense figures to get very exciting over the next few years. Defensively, expect an attacking style. And frankly, it is about time Alabama improves its special teams – which looks likely under Price.

While Mike Price was not Alabama’s first choice for the job, Alabama got a good coach with this hire. Price is a tough, mature coach not prone to jumping ship for another job after only two or three years. He has accomplished more at Washington State than any single predecessor, and at least two other WSU coaches – Jackie Sherrill and Dennis Erickson – moved on to greater things in later stops. We believe Coach Price can do the same.

COACHING FILE:

Washington State, 1989-2002

Overall record 83-77
conference co-champion 1997, co-champion 2002
Led WSU to 1992 Copper Bowl, 1994 Alamo Bowl, 1998 Rose Bowl, 2001 Sun Bowl and upcoming Rose Bow
Bowl record 3-1
Coached three of WSU's four all-time 10-win seasons
Coached the only two WSU teams (1997, 2001) to finish in Top 10

Weber State, 1981-1988

Overall record 46-44
conference co-champion 1987

YEAR	SCHOOL	WINS	LOSSES	%
2002	WSU	10	2	83.3%
2001	WSU	10	2	83.3%
2000	WSU	4	7	36.4%
1999	WSU	3	9	25.0%
1998	WSU	3	8	27.3%
1997*	WSU	10	2	83.3%
1996	WSU	5	6	45.5%
1995	WSU	3	8	27.3%
1994	WSU	8	4	66.7%
1993	WSU	5	6	45.5%
1992	WSU	9	3	75.0%
1991	WSU	4	7	36.4%
1990	WSU	3	8	27.3%
1989	WSU	6	5	54.5%
1988	Weber State	5	6	45.5%
1987	Weber State	10	3	76.9%
1986	Weber State	3	8	27.3%
1985	Weber State	6	5	54.5%
1984	Weber State	5	6	45.5%
1983	Weber State	6	5	54.5%
1982	Weber State	4	7	36.4%
1981	Weber State	7	4	63.6%
	OVERALL	129	121	51.6%