Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question {by JessN}

[JessN]

Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question
By Jess Nicholas

Even though Alabama’s coaching search is a grand two days old, many Alabama fans are pinging message boards incessantly trying to identify a favorite – or even whether the field has been narrowed.

There isn’t much that would placate Alabama fans right now except an announcement that Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban or Bob Stoops – call them the “S-Troop” if you wish – had been named head coach.

For the full story, click here: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50509

 

[BamaMoon]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Any of those top three would be great and I'm glad to hear that all three are in play, so to speak. RR also sounds like a good fall back plan, if there is such a thing.

Just wondering though, what makes you think SS might be back in play?

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Jesus christ, it's time to let Spurrier and Saban go. . .

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Jesus christ, it's time to let Spurrier and Saban go. . .

C'mon Jack, don't spoil all the fun.:wink:

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

If the deal closes with one of those guys, then the business and politics of college football has graduated to the ranks of NFL. I can then see that baseball and basketball programs will not be far behind.

 

[derek4tide]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Jesus christ, it's time to let Spurrier and Saban go. . .

It's been 2 days, not 2 months, or 12 months!

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Another advantage to hiring a high-profile coach is that he will be identified as a star. Any failures on the field will likely not be blamed on the HC. And even after a 6-6 season, he may be politically untouchable in terms of termination by whoever is in charge. I understand that is a problem at Alabama.

 

[BamaJama17]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Spurrier!!!:biggrin: :BigA:

 

[uatuba06]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

If it's not one of the first two, firing Shula was a crap-shoot. Sure, RR, BP, JG, PJ, and other coaches of their stature could be successful here, but who knows if they actually will? The only two coaches that would have guaranteed success at UA (not instant success, mind you) are Saban and Spurrier.

 

[spb34]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

I don't see us as having any chance of landing Saban, Spurrier, or Stoops.

 

[BAMARICH]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

With all due respect to those who are claiming that certain guys are like "pipe dreams," I'm wondering why you believe that. Jess has always possessed a pretty good grasp on the pulse of Alabama football and has connections that very few on this board can rival. Not bashing, but I'm just wondering how so many of you know that Saban/Spurrier/Stoops are not going to be interested.

 

[Tide Tales]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Bamarich-How do you know they are interested?

 

[BAMARICH]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Bamarich-How do you know they are interested?

I don't know one way or another. However, everything I keep hearing from those who automatically dismiss Saban/Spurrier/Stoops only point to a sole idea: the fact that they have publicly denied interest. History proves that these kinds of statements are normal... it would be an interesting research project for someone to go back in coaching hires and find out how many of those searches ended with someone who claimed the same kinds of things Saban/Spurrier have said to this point.

In the face of this fact, there's also a guy on this board with many connections (Jess) who says that no one is out of the race at this point... automatically, there are guys who claim it would never happen. I just wonder if there are legitimate reasons people can cite.

 

[bmcklv]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

I don't think it really matters who they HIRE until they FIRE the real problem, and that is "Coach" Moore. :BigA: Roll Tide

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Oh come now. He's still up at the plate and he hasnt' struck out yet.

 

[NativeTider]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Coach Nick Saban is not out of the picture. What is he suppose to say when he is gainfully employed, under contract by the Miami Dophins and friends with Don Shula????

Most here (without a JD) do not understand contract law or the process of negotiating a contract. It is very complicated and not something which is done over night.

There is also something called tortious interference which carries very stiff penalties if one entity tries to interfere with another while under a valid contract. One has to be very careful when dealing with individuals under contract so as not to expose themselves or their employer (i.e. Univ. of Alabama).

 

[bamabake]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

IMO what has been said before is so applicable. alabama needs a great coach not a good coach. CMS was ok getting us through the tough times. To get to the level Alabama needs we need someone of not just emense character but experience, winning experiance. CSS and Oliver bring national championship rings to the table. Rings that prospect will recognize. Rings that are symbolic to Alabamas tradition. I dont want a Rich R. We need a champion. Like it or not CSS is one. I for onw hope we pay him the money it takes to move him and give him the consessions or at least compromise to get him. We may never know, but I would hate it if we lost him over some consession he should have gotten. Hopefully we are not that arrogant.

 

[IH8Orange]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

I think that we may be pleasantly surprised.

This is the first coaching search undertaken at Bama since the Stallings hire where the incoming coach isn't either in the midst of sanctions or looking at the uncertainty of sanctions:

1996: After Stallings' retirement, we were suffering from sanctions resulting from the Langham incident. There were some big names still interested in the job, but fan support helped get Dubose in.

2000: After Dubose's firing, NCAA investigations were underway, once again tainting the search. Franchione accepted the job knowing that some sanctions were probable.

2002: After Fran left, all prospective candidates were aware of the severity of the sanctions and the options were limited as a result. At least Mike Price had enough confidence in his ability to accept the challenge.

2003: After Price's firing, there were few options because of the timing of the unexpected search. Luckily, Shula had the guts to take the job on short notice.

2006: We are approaching full strength again, we have some good, young talent, and there are no NCAA investigations or penalties in sight. While still under the probationary period, I believe that the administration is now serious about compliance and I hope that our NCAA problems are in the past. The handling of Shula's termination is a black eye in the media, but I don't think that it will really hurt our chances in a coaching search. We have the best chance of making a good hire now that we've had in a long time, IMO. We just need to be patient and allow the process to work correctly.

 

[alatider]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

Good post, Orange. Mal's track record at hiring Head Coaches isn't that great, but I pray that this time he will come through with a "home run".

 

[CadensDad]

Re: Saban, Spurrier or others? That’s the question

We speak of the firing of CMS as a "black eye" in the media like it's nothing...... But last time I checked the media has ALOT to do with the rankings, television and national intrest in a team. I mean if it wasn;t for the man crush the world seems to have on Notre Dame noone would consider the game against USC last year the greatest ever. With that being said the way they fired CMS does leave more than a black eye it leaves us furthur in the gutter with the media who already hates us. I just dont like the way more dirt was tossed ontop of us.

If we dont hire a big name (Spurrier or Saban) we need to at least get a close 2nd coach (CBP, CRR) if we get another coach like Shula (Inexperience, lack of history ect. ect.) we not only made a laterial move. We put ourselves down again for the media to continue to turn more and more voters against us.