Sidebar

News Article: Avery Johnson Reflects on Year 1 at Alabama on Anniversary of Hiring

RTR91

RTR91

Super Moderator
Nov 23, 2007
39,407
6
0
Prattville
Click

News broke a year ago Wednesday night.

The brief flirtation between the University of Alabama and Avery Johnson grew into a long-term relationship. Exactly two minutes before Duke and Wisconsin tipped off in Indianapolis for the NCAA championship, an emailed statement from Alabama athletics director Bill Battle made it official.

Johnson hopped on a plane the next day. He hasn't stopped moving since.

A year later, Johnson spoke with AL.com to reflect on the successes, failures and surprises in the maiden season with an eye on the future.

For starters, Johnson won't deny the 2015-16 season exceeded his initial impressions. Though it ended with six losses in the final eight games, the 18-15 record wasn't on the table a year ago. There's internal satisfaction with the foundation if not the final result.

"We never expected to be a part of any bubble talk or tournament talk," Johnson told AL.com. "But to just go through that experience and have an opportunity to make it into the tournament was an achievement within itself."
Click to expand...
And for those expecting a major jump in improvement next season:

As the calendar flips, Johnson has an idea of what'll be anticipated from this second Alabama team. It was picked 13th in the 14-team SEC last fall and he thinks a mid-pack forecast is coming this time.

The real target come after that. Johnson said they should be ready to make noise by 2017-18 with two full recruiting classes built around his vision.

"By the third year, that's when we have to have the wheels rolling on this thing," Johnson said. "If we do it right. Coaches hate responsibility, but that will let me know if I have this thing going by the third year."
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Posts

Latest threads

TideFans.shop - NEW Stuff!

TideFans.shop - Get YOUR Bama Gear HERE!”></a> <br /> <!--/ END TideFans.shop & item link \--> <p style= Purchases made through our TideFans.shop and Amazon.com links may result in a commission being paid to TideFans.

Top Bottom