Alabama Hires David Ballou as New Strength and Conditioning Coach

[4Q Basket Case]

Can we really draw that conclusion at this point? I hope he turns out to be just that, but I don’t think anyone can be absolutely sure right now. I’m curious—what exactly do those of you saying this find on his resume that is so impressive?

I'm excited because:
-- It's a different approach that has proven successful in at least three different major programs: The best HS football program in the country (IMG), Notre Dame and Indiana.
-- Two of those programs (ND and IU) showed an immediate turnaround in on-field record after Ballou arrived.
-- One of those programs, IU, isn't exactly a football powerhouse.
-- Rhea brings a data-based approach, with PhD brainpower behind it, that Ballou executes to perfection.
-- The cool thing about basing your decisions on data is that you're not wedded to any given approach....you're wedded to the evidence. So as the data / evidence change and evolve over time, so does your approach.
-- Significant evidence over a period of 2-3 years (on-field performance and injuries) indicates that we needed a new approach, and there is no evidence that Cochran's approach was evolving.

I'm not worried about the lack of Cochran-esque demonstrativeness. There are lots of ways to motivate, only one of which is Eveready Battery Bunny-like enthusiasm, arm-waving and yelling. Ballou clearly communicates with enough fire to get his point across, and has been really successful over a long period of time. I like that he will be himself, not Scott Cochran, Part Deux.

Two caveats:

First, none of that means Cochran had become dead weight. He was one of the rocks on which Saban built his culture. He also did a great job developing relationships with players. Those relationships take time, and we may have a transfer or two because he's not there to be Father Confessor to an 18-22 year old world class athlete experiencing frustration for the first time in his sporting career.

Second, for all his positive contributions, Scott Cochran was far from the only reason for Alabama's run from 2008 to 2018. Likewise, I have no illusions that the pairing of Rhea and Ballou was the sole reason both Notre Dame and IU turned around so quickly on the field after their arrival. But there's no doubt that all of them played major roles at their respective programs.

Correction: Rhea and Ballou were together at IMG and IU, but not at ND.

Final question in return: If Rhea / Ballou isn't a great hire, who would have been better?

 

[CajunCrimson]

4. This is cutting edge folks, I'm willing to bet that Georgia and Clemson will get on that within two years.

Too late, Kirby reached out to them already and offered them positions in Athens

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I'm excited because:
-- It's a different approach that has proven successful in at least three different major programs: The best HS football program in the country (IMG), Notre Dame and Indiana.
-- Two of those programs (ND and IU) showed an immediate turnaround in on-field record after Ballou arrived.
-- One of those programs, IU, isn't exactly a football powerhouse.
-- Rhea brings a data-based approach, with PhD brainpower behind it, that Ballou executes to perfection.
-- The cool thing about basing your decisions on data is that you're not wedded to any given approach....you're wedded to the evidence. So as the data / evidence change and evolve over time, so does your approach.
-- Significant evidence over a period of 2-3 years (on-field performance and injuries) indicates that we needed a new approach, and there is no evidence that Cochran's approach was evolving.

I'm not worried about the lack of Cochran-esque demonstrativeness. There are lots of ways to motivate, only one of which is Eveready Battery Bunny-like enthusiasm, arm-waving and yelling. Ballou clearly communicates with enough fire to have been really successful over a long period of time, and I like that he will be himself, not Scott Cochran, Part Deux.

Two caveats:

First, none of that means Cochran had become dead weight. He was one of the rocks on which Saban built his culture. He also did a great job developing relationships with players. Those relationships take time, and we may have a transfer or two because he's not there to be Father Confessor to an 18-22 year old world class athlete experiencing frustration for the first time in his sporting career.

Second, for all his positive contributions, Scott Cochran was far from the only reason for Alabama's run from 2008 to 2018. Likewise, I have no illusions that the pairing of Rhea and Ballou was the sole reason both Notre Dame and IU turned around so quickly on the field after their arrival. But there's no doubt that all of them played major roles at their respective programs.

Final question in return: If Rhea / Ballou isn't a great hire, who would have been better?

I concur.........……getting fired up is great, but the point can oftentimes be made without the hand waving, rah-rah stuff. Both will be an integral part of the "team", rather than be the center of attention

 

[Con]

I think Bama might realize the impact he has quicker than the writer of that article thinks...………..

I hope you are correct.

 

[bamaslammer]

I think even the most ardent fan who kept saying "injuries just happen in football" a.k.a me, had reached the point this fall where we knew something had to change at Alabama. I don't think the whole program was bad, for instance we had few if any injuries on the offensive players (tua's injury was not preventable from the hit he took). While we lost virtually every starting linebacker for 2 seasons solid. This sort of suggest the approach used worked for some but not all, meaning more customization's were needed by position and even individual, From what I've read he extensively customizes the work.

As for the time it's not ideal to miss the winter quarter but those who are at both summer sessions will have enough time to make positive changes.

 

[mdb-tpet]

I think Bama might realize the impact he has quicker than the writer of that article thinks...………..

Well, the writer did say his impact wounldn't be fully recognized until 2021, which I agree with, as it takes time to see where the players are, what their strengths and weaknesses are, adjust your methods to the new facility and equipment, integrate yourself into the culture, etc. We will see some differences, in 2020, but I expect Ballou's full impact will be seen next year.

 

[Rolltide51]

And when he arrived in town and fell off the back of the stagecoach.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I hope you are correct.

I feel pretty good about the whole thing...…………...and not just from a physical standpoint. I think psychologically Ballou will benefit the players as well with his injury prevention techniques

 

[TideEngineer08]

I think even the most ardent fan who kept saying "injuries just happen in football" a.k.a me, had reached the point this fall where we knew something had to change at Alabama. I don't think the whole program was bad, for instance we had few if any injuries on the offensive players (tua's injury was not preventable from the hit he took). While we lost virtually every starting linebacker for 2 seasons solid. This sort of suggest the approach used worked for some but not all, meaning more customization's were needed by position and even individual, From what I've read he extensively customizes the work.

As for the time it's not ideal to miss the winter quarter but those who are at both summer sessions will have enough time to make positive changes.

LBs have got to be one of the toughest positions to design a S&C program for. They've got to be bigger athletes, 220-240 range depending upon where they line up, but they cannot sacrifice their speed and agility at all.

Anyway, I'm excited to see what these changes can do for the program.

 

[TitleWave]

And when he arrived in town and fell off the back of the stagecoach.

Didn't fall off, standing broad-jumped off. And, oh, yeah, he dead-lifted the stage when the rear left wheel needed replacing on the 3:19 to Dodge City, er, trip to T'town.

 

[IndyBison]

I have a good friend whose son just finished his second season at IU. He shared an article about this hire being a huge loss for IU. His son is a tall, fast DE who needs to bulk up and the S&C program has been very successful for him. My friend is also a work-out fiend and former D1 athlete so I respect his opinion specifically on this topic. Sounds likely a very good hire.

 

[deliveryman35]

Sorry....I really hope he works out. I actually think SC was more of a motivational factor than a weight training coach and sometimes change is needed.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think even the most ardent fan who kept saying "injuries just happen in football" a.k.a me, had reached the point this fall where we knew something had to change at Alabama. I don't think the whole program was bad, for instance we had few if any injuries on the offensive players (tua's injury was not preventable from the hit he took). While we lost virtually every starting linebacker for 2 seasons solid. This sort of suggest the approach used worked for some but not all, meaning more customization's were needed by position and even individual, From what I've read he extensively customizes the work.

As for the time it's not ideal to miss the winter quarter but those who are at both summer sessions will have enough time to make positive changes.

I think Saban knew as well, probably before any of us started considering it. Just like one poster commented earlier in the thread. I don't think it was a coincidence the new facility being built and the "type" of S&C coach Saban hired. IMO, there's no doubt Saban realized the injuries were due to more than just "bad luck".

 

[AlexanderFan]

Speed and explosiveness with a focus on injury prevention? Yes please.

 

[Go Bama]

@B1G do you know anything about this guy?

 

[The Ols]

Sorry....I really hope he works out. I actually think SC was more of a motivational factor than a weight training coach and sometimes change is needed.

Sorry I missed your actual quote, but I agree....we got a TEAM to replace a guy that had perhaps outgrown his role here. Sports Science is the new S&C...

Does anyone know of we got a true daily double?
Meaning, did we get both for the same cost as CSC???
300K each would be pretty nice...

 

[The Ols]

I have a good friend whose son just finished his second season at IU. He shared an article about this hire being a huge loss for IU. His son is a tall, fast DE who needs to bulk up and the S&C program has been very successful for him. My friend is also a work-out fiend and former D1 athlete so I respect his opinion specifically on this topic. Sounds likely a very good hire.

I love this "inside" look...Thanks Indy...

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

SIAP. Here is another article on these guys.

How a Unique Speed Training Program Flipped the Fortunes of Indiana Football

Individualized training has led to prodigious improvements in speed, helping the long-hapless Hoosiers earn their first top 25 ranking since 1994.

www.stack.com

This part stood out to me

Rhea's research has also found a pure sprinting program with little-to-no resistance training isn't the best way to get faster, either. Rather, it's a combination of resistance training, sprint work, plyometrics and other modalities he's found to be most effective. But the true secret ingredient in that formula is individualization.

"If we approached our entire team with the same methods for increasing speed, if you just took a conventional approach of (building) strength plus sprinting, I think it'd probably help maybe a third of our roster. The other two-thirds wouldn't be getting what they actually need," says Rhea.

 

[B1GTide]

@B1G do you know anything about this guy?

No more than I have read here. But Indiana has been a tough out since he arrived.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

This is pretty interesting stuff. Sounds like we really made a slam dunk hire from a strength training perspective.

We will find out if we lose anything intangible from Cochran but at least on the training side this sounds like an upgrade.