Shula's proposed changes

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

I know it's hard, but lets wait and see what happens. We will eventually learn the facts. Nothing that we've heard or read can be substantiated. If CMS is our coach next year a rumor like this can absolutely kill him. We keep saying "IF" it's true he needs to be fired, well "IF" he was caught selling his gameplan to the opposition he would need to be fired as well. The point is, both of those scenarios are equally plausible right now. Let's have a little patience and let this thing play out.

 

[crmsnrevelation]

I guess this means that if Money and LT start flubbing FG's Next season than Andre Smith or Travis McCall will take over those duties huh?

Thats about how I see this change.

How about some Photoshop stuff with "The Corleones" blended with Shula's Staff!!!

 

[XXL TideFan]

Re: So basically this is another unsubstanciated rumor

which means this is a total waste of band width

Actually this quote from Cecil Hurt backs up my original post.

It’s one of Mike Shula’s many good qualities (and he does have many) that he is fiercely loyal. Few people know him well, but those who have been familiar with him knew that his idea, even in the wake of the Auburn game, would be to stick by his staff, to retain every assistant coach while reassigning duties slightly.

As numerous sources have confirmed, that is precisely what he did propose -- no staff changes, no real change in direction. And it was, and is, exactly what no one wanted (or wants) to hear.

 

[rolltideas]

well "IF" he was caught selling his gameplan to the opposition he would need to be fired as well.

You mean all 4 plays, including PUNT!?!

 

[madamesnapper]

This was from a post I made last week:
1. Getting rid of our coach would validate every bit of riducule we've opened ourselves up to. We are deluding ourselves to think this is a wonderful place to work and showing everyone in the world why this is a nuthouse. Bill Curry's just getting ready to gloat.
2. Whatever allure we thought we have is gone. We need to show at least a modicum of patience and loyalty to our coaches before we proclaim them to be idiots.
3. We are our own worst enemies at perpetuating the myth that all Alabama fans are only three or so steps removed from, "You ain't got no legs, Lt. Dan."

NOW, after all that, I followed up with...
4. My ONLY comment would be that, if I were Mal Moore I would sit our coach down and make the following statement/question: "Coach, it's been a heck of a year. [Yes, Sir says Shula]. What are your intentions to solving some of the problems that have plagued the team this year? [insert specific references to play-calling, clock management, team discipline, strength and conditioning, etc. here]." If there's an ambiguous answer, that's grounds for explaining your job is on the line. If the coach sets forth a well-thought out path, not so much. In no way should anyone dictate who should stay and who should go....and who should be hired.

Now, after reading about Shula's proposed "plan" for improvement and Cecil's article, I'd say he flunked his "keep his job" interview.

 

[XXL TideFan]

On Wednesday, ESPN reporter Joe Schad said Shula would return to Alabama with changes to his offensive staff, and with Shula giving up play-calling duties. A BamaMag.com source confirmed Shula proposed to Moore giving up play calling responsibilities along with changing some staff responsibilities (Shula proposed having Dave Ungerer assigned to coach tight ends and offensive tackles, while giving David Turner additional responsibilities in special teams), but did not say Moore gave any assurance of job security to Shula at that time.

Complete Article Here

Yet another confirmation.

 

[WPtider]

Any plan that does not include dismissing the OL coach will not work. The play calling would be a lot better if we had an OL that could sustain blocks and open up the running game. By abdicating play calling responsibilities and making essentially no changes to the OL, Shula is just stalling the inevitable (his dismissal next season). It doesn't matter if Norm Chow is your OC, if you can't block virtually nothing is going to work.

 

[Bingo]

So, just "shuffleling" the current coaches around huh? Oh boy!

 

[HammerJammer]

I really didn't think Coach Shula would choose not to fire any of his assistants (thought the same thing last year too). When it was posted that his stubborness was legendary, I really didn't think legendary covered not firing his assistants. If true, Shula is proving to be the opposite of intelligent. I'd love to know his thought process to arrive at that decision.

 

[NYBamaFan]

I really didn't think Coach Shula would choose not to fire any of his assistants (thought the same thing last year too). When it was posted that his stubborness was legendary, I really didn't think legendary covered not firing his assistants. If true, Shula is proving to be the opposite of intelligent. I'd love to know his thought process to arrive at that decision.

LOL - you heard it a million times this season. "We are this close."

 

[Bingo]

And, the "Hey Coach" radio show is kinda unbearable with the children's voices in the background---I mean, I love kids, but I find this unacceptable for a serious call in show to the coach at The University of Alabama!

 

[uafootball92]

I was on the "keep Shula for another year" bandwagon as long as he gave up playcalling duties to Rader, and fired Connelly and Ungerer. After reading this article, I have quickly jumped on to the "Fire him, NOW" bandwagon. Even in musical chairs someone gets left out. In this case two people should be left out, Kines runs the defense and Turner still coaches DL. Since none of these is happening, good luck Shula on wherever you end up after Bama.

 

[bamabake]

This was from a post I made last week:
1. Getting rid of our coach would validate every bit of riducule we've opened ourselves up to. We are deluding ourselves to think this is a wonderful place to work and showing everyone in the world why this is a nuthouse. Bill Curry's just getting ready to gloat.
2. Whatever allure we thought we have is gone. We need to show at least a modicum of patience and loyalty to our coaches before we proclaim them to be idiots.
3. We are our own worst enemies at perpetuating the myth that all Alabama fans are only three or so steps removed from, "You ain't got no legs, Lt. Dan."

NOW, after all that, I followed up with...
4. My ONLY comment would be that, if I were Mal Moore I would sit our coach down and make the following statement/question: "Coach, it's been a heck of a year. [Yes, Sir says Shula]. What are your intentions to solving some of the problems that have plagued the team this year? [insert specific references to play-calling, clock management, team discipline, strength and conditioning, etc. here]." If there's an ambiguous answer, that's grounds for explaining your job is on the line. If the coach sets forth a well-thought out path, not so much. In no way should anyone dictate who should stay and who should go....and who should be hired.

Now, after reading about Shula's proposed "plan" for improvement and Cecil's article, I'd say he flunked his "keep his job" interview.

. Getting rid of our coach would validate every bit of riducule we've opened ourselves up to. We are deluding ourselves to think this is a wonderful place to work and showing everyone in the world why this is a nuthouse. Bill Curry's just getting ready to gloat.
2. Whatever allure we thought we have is gone. We need to show at least a modicum of patience and loyalty to our coaches before we proclaim them to be idiots.
3. We are our own worst enemies at perpetuating the myth that all Alabama fans are only three or so steps removed from, "You ain't got no legs, Lt. Dan."




I take offence to this. Alabama is the best job in college football. Out allure is the chance to compete for championships. It is why if coaches like spurrier were offered the job he would take it in a heart beat.
As for patience and Alabama fans, why should Alabama fans or anyone else accept less than what is our heritage?
You also need to look at Alabama football through the lense of history. Alabama was a great job long before Coach Bryant. Between he and the other national championship coaches we had many a Mike Shula and worse. We dont need a good coach, we need and demand, yes demand a great coach. I for one have pulled for CMS. I like him. The product though is awful.
Here is the most obvious litmus test...
I am no Spurrier fan but if he had had this team, these players, JP wilson and co, does anyone with a brain think he would have the same record we have now? Would he have had his team show up and play like a high school team against Duke and Fla Intl? Would he have found a way to win at least ONE big game? Would he have accepted his QB getting slaughtered from the right side of thie line, over and over and over and over and over again? Would he have been as predictable on O? If he couldnt score with the " jumbo package" after a billion tries would he still run it or would you espect some imagination?
Just imagine a Pete Carrol or any other good coach at a major university playing with the exact same players that Bama has. Does anyone think that we would have the same record we have?

come on...

 

[madamesnapper]

BamaBake, you completely midread my post.

Yes, I think jumping the gun exposes us to ridicule - on a national scale. I don't think the Alabama job is nearly what it once was, but firmly believe that money talks. No, I don't think our team deserves anything less than the best, but I was AT LEAST willing to hear what change Shula had in store before I jumped to conclusions. He's had since 11/4 to think about what changes need to be made. Hence, the modicum of patience that I wanted in my post on 11/21.

That having been said, I felt that IF I were Mal and IF I had an interview with Shula, his response would largely dictate his future. I do not think Shula's proposed solutions indicate a willingness to truly reflect on his coaching practices and staff. Therefore, in my opinion, he just flunked his interview.

 

[Dixiedawg]

Re: So basically this is another unsubstanciated rumor

Actually this quote from Cecil Hurt backs up my original post.

Well there you have it numerous sources confirms everything written in this thread,which says that this coach is moving to this position and that coach is moving to that position. That is what I was taking issue with when in actuallity no one knows who is going where. So here's a Cecil Hurt quote that says says what I am trying to say;

"As of Saturday, no one had said -- on or off the record -- that the point of no return for Shula’s tenure had been reached. But it’s hard to look at the events that have unfolded -- or to hear the rumblings that started weeks ago -- and draw any other conclusion".
So according to Cecil there have been no official word on or off the record, only feelings and speculation based on the teams performance over the past weeks on in other words noone knows.

 

[dvldog]

Not an insider but it does seem to me that we pretty much got what we asked for re: Coach Shula. Someone who...
1. has some degree of ties to the program that understands the tradition, expectations, etc
2. has potential to be around for a long time in order to bring the program out of the ashes and continue to build on the tradition re: championships w/out jumping to the NFL the first chance that came up
3. put a great face on the program re: name recognition, integrity, recuiting, etc.
To get these desired characteristics it seems to me that we (the powers that be) were willing to accept
1. Little to no head coaching experience
2. 3-5 years of anticipated "hard" years while the program recovered from sanctions and the coach "grew" into the postion as the head man at Bama.

Of course, even under these conditions some things are not acceptable. This is understood. However, if we got what we asked for why are we so quick to pull the plug now? As someone posted above, are we not now adding to the problem? Is the Bama tradition only about the team winning or are there other things that are also important? Are we like other programs that forum participants continually denigrate or are we indeed a special program? Not qualified to answer, but I sure hope those in charge are and that they make a quick, decisive decision that is best for all considerations.

Roll Tide!

 

[paul02085]

Not an insider but it does seem to me that we pretty much got what we asked for re: Coach Shula. Someone who...
1. has some degree of ties to the program that understands the tradition, expectations, etc
2. has potential to be around for a long time in order to bring the program out of the ashes and continue to build on the tradition re: championships w/out jumping to the NFL the first chance that came up
3. put a great face on the program re: name recognition, integrity, recuiting, etc.
To get these desired characteristics it seems to me that we (the powers that be) were willing to accept
1. Little to no head coaching experience
2. 3-5 years of anticipated "hard" years while the program recovered from sanctions and the coach "grew" into the postion as the head man at Bama.

Of course, even under these conditions some things are not acceptable. This is understood. However, if we got what we asked for why are we so quick to pull the plug now? As someone posted above, are we not now adding to the problem? Is the Bama tradition only about the team winning or are there other things that are also important? Are we like other programs that forum participants continually denigrate or are we indeed a special program? Not qualified to answer, but I sure hope those in charge are and that they make a quick, decisive decision that is best for all considerations.

Roll Tide!

I agree we were willing to accept the issues outlined above. If these were the only issues facing us i would say give Shula more time. My whole problem with CMS is when i began hearing over and over as the year went on about internal problems that have to do with discipline, favoritism, stubborness, leadership and lack of conditioning. These are issues we CANNOT ACCEPT even for 1 more year. That is why i say pull the plug now. Tradition is very important and our tradition is about team not individual, fierce and proud leadership and strong discipline. We are so far away from these things at this time is is sickening. We must hire a coach who can get us back to playing with Alabama pride again.

 

[dvldog]

This puzzles me...

How do you go from being the quarterback of a high profile team who evidently had the intestinal fortitude, leadership, motivation and judgement to take maybe average skills and produce some of the best drives, comebacks, etc in the history of a storied program yet (according to those who know) be totally oblivious as a head coach?

Obviously, not all good players make good coaches but man this almost defies logic.

 

[Bama 13-0]

this almost defies logic.

What do you mean, it "almost" defies logic. It completely defies logic, as does 90% of the things said on this thread. The very idea that Shula went to Moore and proposed very minor changes, or that he was oblivious to the fact that changes needed to be made.

Y'all need to keep in mind that we do not have substantiated sources for all of this "information" that is floating around.

Fire the President of the University of Alabama because the football team is not performing well. Why not get rid of all of the faculty as well, as long as you are cleaning house....

Everyone take a deep breath, realize that 99% of what you have read about the situation is speculation, and don't go ballistic if the changes made by Witt and Moore don't match your expectations based on the crap you've read in the media and on message boards.

 

[dvldog]

Bama 13-0.


I agree in that it does defy logic and that was my not so obvious point. Thats why I think there have been more going on than even the "insiders" elusively point to re: things like favoritism, discipline, etc. If there is one position on a football team that has to have a feel for these issues its the quaterback and I don't think you suddenly forget this if/when you become a HC.

On more thing...

At least two of his asst coaches go way back w/Coach Shula and they have way more experience then he does re: coaching/head coaching. We are to believe that he has blown them off assuming they have made comments to him re: problems on the team?

One thing I have learned is that there are usually two sides to every story.