Bama in a win/win situation.

[crimsonbleeder]

Alabama was 10-2 last year and finished ranked 8th in the country.

I certainly think that if we'd had ANY kind of an OL and offense, we'd have likely at least been in the running for the Championship game...whether we'd have gotten there, who knows? We likely would've been outside looking in, BUT, we would've at least had an unblemished record....but at least we learned from our mistakes, and made corrections, and fixed all those problems in the off season...oh, what? ... wait a second ... we didn't, did we?

 

[babyray]

3-9- First year and probation, hired late in the offseason

6-6- Injuries played with the third string QB and RB.

What's the excuse for this year? Let me guess: "We're young". Also, you didn't answer my question as to what this year's record would be or have these "coaches" gotten the most out of these players.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

What's the excuse for this year? Let me guess: "We're young". Also, you didn't answer my question as to what this year's record would be or have these "coaches" gotten the most out of these players.

The record could range from 9-4 to 6-7 but I think it will be 8-5. I dont have any excuses for this year we have a maligned o-line. Im not saying Coach Shula is the greatest coach in the nation but I am saying he deserves to still be our head coach. Im tired of seeing the same posts over and over about were a terrible team and we need to fire Shula.

 

[BamaJeff]

Alabama was 10-2 last year and finished ranked 8th in the country.

And ranked 3rd in the SEC west.

 

[rolltide87]

And ranked 3rd in the SEC west.

I was just pointing out that we were coming off a good season, same as GA in response to the trend statement. GA won the SEC east last year primarily because TN and FL had down years. Alabama finished 3rd in the west because AU and LSU both were good teams. GA would have probably finished 3rd in the West as well.

Actually, Bama and Georgia are very similar this year. I totally agree that Bama's season has been very disappointing and that substantial changes need to be made. Shula will have to either make the changes or he will not last. Mark Richt will also have to make changes or GA will continue to struggle.

 

[BamaJeff]

Alabama finished 3rd in the west because AU and LSU both were good teams.

I understand what you were saying. But I believe that 3rd in the west will be the best Mike shula will ever do regardless of what he changes. I think the man is simply in over his head as HC at Bama.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

I understand what you were saying. But I believe that 3rd in the west will be the best Mike shula will ever do regardless of what he changes. I think the man is simply in over his head as HC at Bama.

So you see the future for the guy? If so when will I get married? Dont come to a conclusion if you dont know whats going to happen.

 

[BamaJeff]

So you see the future for the guy? If so when will I get married? Dont come to a conclusion if you dont know whats going to happen.

I'm no prophet and I don't know the future. Just stating my opinion. I BELIEVE that Mike Shula is a great guy but not a good head coach at Bama.

And BTW, I have looked into the future and I have seen when you will get married. You don't even want to know!!!

 

[BamaDude06]

We actually "broke" the trend this year

1997: 4 wins
1998: 7 wins
1999: 10 wins
2000: 3 wins
2001: 7 wins
2002: 10 wins
2003: 4wins
2004: 6 wins
2005: 10 wins

So basd on the last decade (96 was also a 10 win season) we should have expected 3-4 wins, right now we have 6 with two games and a possible bowl game.

 

[BocaLance]

I'm still in utter disbelief that someone would say (print) that special teams are not a weakness.

 

[BamaDude06]

I'm still in utter disbelief that someone would say (print) that special teams are not a weakness.

Arena is returning kicks better than we were last year (save for Prothro), as in he can actually catch the ball.

Jamie is kicking better

Fitzgerald is punting better than Schatz did

We had at least a partially blocked kicked in three straight games this year

Kick coverages, however, have suffered some, but its due to some new faces on special teams thanks to graduation.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

The only time Alabama will be in a WIN WIN situation is when they START WINNING on a constant basis.:BigA:

 

[Big_Fan]

{soapbox}

My.

Edit: (Censored to remove name-calling and accusing those of different opinion of being fans of another school. Now, try to state it intelligently without violating site policy.)

I am not pumping any sunshine, simply stating that within 2 years we will be playing championship calibre ball...one way or another. In case you are are slow, that means with or without Shula.

A few thoughts on some of the responses.

Ga. is not in a trend, yet we are.... We lost to one sucky team...MSU. UGA lost to Vandy AND Kentucky....and was within 3 points of losing to that same MSU team we lost to. They also gave up 50 to UT and as someone else noted they have had top recruiting classes, were SEC Champs last season, and have not had a probation...and their coach is experienced and established. How about this for a trend...we had identical records in 2005 except we won our bowl game. Shula has legit excuses...Richt does not.

Shocked over my comments regarding special teams? Statistics don't bear out the complaints. ST is often players making plays and they are improving as we get better players. Ungerer is one of the best ST coaches in the business...for those of you who do not realize that. He is close to being the ST coaching equivalent of Bill Oliver and was a hire that I was really excited about from day one. As far as tight ends go...who knows. Cal had phenominal ST while he was there and given time and talent, so will Bama.

Last paragraph removed for the same reasons as the first paragraph above.

{/soapbox}

 

[Bama Greg]

I understand what you were saying. But I believe that 3rd in the west will be the best Mike shula will ever do regardless of what he changes. I think the man is simply in over his head as HC at Bama.

He is in over his head, how many of these hot coaches that everyone talks about started their Head Coaching career at a school with the tradition of winning and Championships as Alabama. That is my point, he is learning on the job, he is making mistakes, I will not dispute that, but that is part of the learning curve, hopefully he will be given the time to learn from his mistakes and make the changes to become the Head Coach that I think he can be.

I admire him for taking the job, that took a lot of guts, knowing how spoiled our fans are. Am I happy with the way things have gone, heck no, and never will be, but am smart enough to know that the problems that we suffered over the last few years won't disappear overnight.

Hopefully, after this season is over, Coach Shula will do what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Thanks and Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bama Greg:biggrin:

 

[BamaJeff]

He is in over his head, how many of these hot coaches that everyone talks about started their Head Coaching career at a school with the tradition of winning and Championships as Alabama. That is my point, he is learning on the job, he is making mistakes, I will not dispute that, but that is part of the learning curve, hopefully he will be given the time to learn from his mistakes and make the changes to become the Head Coach that I think he can be.

You learn to coach at Northeast Nowhere, your learn to coach at Cupcake State, you learn to coach at Nobody Tech, etc. You don't learn to coach at Alabama.

 

[bamanick57]

The original post in this thread is one of the most thoughtful I've read lately on this forum. (I don't post much, but I read quite a bit.) I'm not saying I agree or disagree with it, but I will say that it unfortunately degenerated quickly into a "he's touching me" exchange of "opinions".

 

[Andy]

We actually "broke" the trend this year

1997: 4 wins
1998: 7 wins
1999: 10 wins
2000: 3 wins
2001: 7 wins
2002: 10 wins
2003: 4wins
2004: 6 wins
2005: 10 wins

So basd on the last decade (96 was also a 10 win season) we should have expected 3-4 wins, right now we have 6 with two games and a possible bowl game.

This says alot to me. As sad as it makes me to say it, it is not Shula that is the problem. I have been a fan for over 35 years, but things have changed. It is the program and the cummaltive effect of 2 probations, 7 coaches in 22 seasons ( just over a three year tenure average), and very suspect recruiting classes, in at least 4 seasons. Our program, not our coach is no where near on the same par today as 5, and maybe 6 teams in our conference. It can be argued that Coach Shula is not the coach to lead us back to where we all want us to be, but he bears no responsability for where it is today, and I mean none. Therefore, I am afraid that most of the coaches we will get to replace him, will only produce similar results in the future. I think we have just as good a chance at returning the program to greatness, with Mike Shula at the helm, as any of the coaches we will be able to get to replace him.

 

[TommyMac]

There will be no "return to greatness" under Mike Shula._sad: _sad: _sad:

 

[LegionField]

I actually agree with you TommyMac....

 

[Andy]

I might agree with both of you. Which means I am saying there might be no return to greatness anytime soon under anyone. The power has shifted and it takes years to reverse.