Gottfried's exit was one I won't forget

Chris Stewart · January 27th, 2009, 02:09 AM

I walked into Coleman Coliseum at 8:45 a.m. yesterday, as I do almost every Sunday morning during the college basketball season.

That’s when we would tape Mark Gottfried’s television show, a program I started hosting with him last year.

Mark was standing in the hallway outside the team’s locker room (which is where we tape it) when I walked up. He greeted me as he usually does – “What’s up, Voice?” - a nickname he gave me seven years ago when I started doing play-by-play for men’s basketball.

I said, “I’m good. How are you?”

Mark replied, “I’m good.”

I said, “No. Forget basketball. How are YOU doing?”

http://www.chrisstewartsports.com/in...mid=61&lang=en

bamamick · January 27th, 2009, 08:49 AM

Nice one, Chris. Thank you for sharing that. In the world that you guys live in all the fans see is the black and white, the wins and losses. What people usually fail to forget is that there are people behind the faces and the uniforms.

I read the book written about Robert Scott, 'a Gift Before Dying' a few years ago and it has stayed with me all of this time. Knowing what I know about CMG from that book there is no way that I can celebrate his dismissal. Excited about a fresh start for our program? Certainly, but Mark is one of our own and there is always a tinge of sadness when there is an ending like this.

rtr

Tsunami · January 27th, 2009, 12:27 PM

Good read Chris. I appreciate all that CMG has done for Bama, and the positives certainly outweigh any negatives.

mgebama · January 27th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Thanks for that personal story. I've always thought he was a nice guy and he had some success at Bama, but overall he was mediocre at best. Unfortunately, it was time for a change. Hope the change is good for Mark too.

Crimson Speed · January 31st, 2009, 10:47 PM

I think we all would agree that Mark loved the Crimson Tide and that made his departure difficult. Even in the private sector, people sometimes reach a point where they are no longer effective in their jobs. Mark had to realize he was in that situation, but as many do, he could not find himself as giving up. In these cases other have to make the decision for a change in direction.
There should be no regrets. Mark was "well compensated" to be successful. It is a tough business and these things happen in high profile positions. Change does not have to be bad for either party. I view this as an opportunity for Mark to pursue other things in life. It may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him (and the Crimson Tide). I wish him the best.