No question Coach Johnson is doing a great job, but while I think money is a part of the equation, I don't think it is the biggest part. I believe he really enjoys the college game more because he loves teaching and molding young people. I think in the long run, it is facilities that will keep him here. We are in dire need of an arena that adds to the fan experience as well as attracts high level talent. An arena with his name on it might do it.
Miracle Worker
- Thread starter fourbama
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There is no reason Bama can't be a destination job in college basketball. The state isn't terrible in regards to the top recruits it produces. There isn't a whole lot of competition within the state. The SEC is a conference that is usually top heavy, so there's more room at the top. Throw in the resources the university has, and it is a great opportunity.
I think of Texas and Rick Barnes. Texas wasn't an elite program before him, their history was only decent. Yet he rattled off almost 2 decades of winning seasons, tournament runs, and now it would be considered by most a destination job.
If CAJ can keep the wins rolling for a number of years, and Bama is willing to invest in the program, there's no reason why we shouldn't be a top 25 team consistently.
Side note, some of you need to slow your roll on Coach Johnson being the best coach we've ever had. He's had an impressive first year, but let's not buy on emotion alone. He needs to build a track record before he gets christened as the GOAT.
I think of Texas and Rick Barnes. Texas wasn't an elite program before him, their history was only decent. Yet he rattled off almost 2 decades of winning seasons, tournament runs, and now it would be considered by most a destination job.
If CAJ can keep the wins rolling for a number of years, and Bama is willing to invest in the program, there's no reason why we shouldn't be a top 25 team consistently.
Side note, some of you need to slow your roll on Coach Johnson being the best coach we've ever had. He's had an impressive first year, but let's not buy on emotion alone. He needs to build a track record before he gets christened as the GOAT.
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Just an aside, Wimp won 5 sec tourneys (3 in a row, 4 out of 5) and an SEC reg season title.
6 trips to the sweet 16 (5 trips in 7 seasons).
10 trips to the NCAA tourney in 12 seasons
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I've heard that he enjoys being in the collegiate atmosphere. He's also a southern boy who is familiar with Alabama's bball history and understands southern life. If he continues to be successful and we can show him the university means business with the bball program, I bet we can keep him a long time.
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That is a little quick with that statement.Do not get me wrong- I love what Avery Johnson has done this season- could not be any more impressed. And I do think the future is bright and your statement may very well come true. But no way one can say he is better than CM or Wimp after 25 games.
An arena with his name on it? We are really getting ahead of ourselves here. Coach Johnson has been great- but suggesting naming a new arena after him at this point is completely putting the cart before the horse.
Everyone does understand that Coach Johnson is making nearly $3 million in his first year here? Not bad for someone who was a commentator on ESPN. He will be taken care of if he takes this program where it can go.
So you're saying he was the biggest bargain of the vox populi's "savioral candidates" for the 'Bama job? (Gregg Marshall, Wichita State, $4.5M, Shaka Smart, UTeaSippers, $3.16M, Ricky Barnes, UTeetering, $2.2M; Pearl, All-Bran, $2.7M; Ben Howland, TippiTate, $2.05M.) Looks to be the case on results to date. But with the hunger for basketball success that 'Bama is Jonesing over, Johnson's incentives are if anything too modest, despite the tenor of the article.
I know an arena with his name on it is premature. After all he hasn't even coached a full season, but by the time we'd get something actually built he have been here 4 years or so. I expect we will have at least been in contention for or have been in a final four by then. He is the real deal assuming he can recruit decently and I see no signs that he can't. Coach Johnson got a decent financial package when he took the job, but it wasn't nearly what we were offering Marshall so I take that to mean while the money is an important part of the reason he took the job, it is not the most important part. He knew we had to have a coach so he could have gotten about as much as Marshall had he wanted to. I think he is, at this point, more interested in developing young people both as players and people, much like Coach Saban.
I don't think AJ is going anywhere for a while. He has stated that he found his calling and that's in College. I think he enjoy this lot better than he did in NBA, and I think it'll affect his career, the university in a positive way for many years to come.
I gotta say this: We gotta temper our expectations long term. Next year team could struggle with new face, adjusting and etc. WE have to wait and see how he is in two-three years... My only questions is that can he be consistent with winning games? Can he recruit consistently? Can he steal a prospect or two from Duke, Kentucky, Florida, and other big name schools?
He says "Roll Tide" after pretty much every interview for a couple of reasons. One, he likes it!!!! I have even heard him thank AD Battle a few times, here recently even, so that also says he likes his boss! We're in good shape dudes....
Roll Tide!
Roll Tide!
We can pay him as much as an NBA team can. He brought his son over to play for him.....so, we've got 3 years at least after this one.
But, as always, at Bama, if you are engaged, you win, and if you win, you stay....because we won't let you go
But, as always, at Bama, if you are engaged, you win, and if you win, you stay....because we won't let you go
Compared to the salary itself, the incentives are quite modest. Hopefully he gets at least $25k for SEC COY honors (It'll either be him or Martin, I imagine) and $50k for making the NCAA tourney within the first 2 years (never thought I'd be saying it so soon, let alone possibly another 25-50k for NCAA wins!).
No he is not being paid poorly, but compared to what I feel sure he was making at the Mavs and Nets it is chump change. He could have held us up for a million more a year and we had no choice but to pay it since Marshall used us to get a fat raise. He made a very good living as a player for 16 years in the NBA and at least 5 as an NBA coach so he is probably pretty comfortable financially. He could have probably retired and lived out the rest of his life on what he already had made prior to taking the job here. I think at this point in his life, he is more interested in his legacy and he wants that to by teaching young people what he has learned along the way both as a player and a person. We are privileged to have someone of his character to be our coach.
Considering how much AJ brings up his college coach in conversation (wasn't he at the presser?), I get the feeling that AJ is wanting to be the man to his player's as his coach was to him. There's not much of an opportunity in the NBA to influence your players on a personal level, much like Saban found out with Miami.
I appreciate your optimism- and you may be the most dedicated and supportive basketball person on this board. My bucket list for Alabama athletics is a short one. All I really want to see is Bama make it to one Final Four. Been a fan for 40 years. A Final
four is something we have never done and it is an extremely tall order at Alabama. Can Avery reach that level here?- guess time will tell.
four is something we have never done and it is an extremely tall order at Alabama. Can Avery reach that level here?- guess time will tell.
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