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Shula Statement

Shula's statement very classy.

Shula's statement was very classy, although I didn't expect otherwise. I sure hope he remains an active alumni at the U of A.:BigA:
 
Re: Shula's statement very classy.

BamainBoston said:
I wanted Shula gone, but this is still a sad day. I almost wish I had a reason to like him less.
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Me too. I wanted him gone, but I didn't want him gone. I felt that he couldn't take Bama to the next level, but firing him makes the whole institution look bad AGAIN.

Bama's track record of (hiring and keeping) head coaches is pitiful and the critics are having a field day with it.
 
Re: Shula's statement very classy.

During CMS four years at UA, he has handled himself in a very "classy" manner. We did not have to worry about picking up the newspaper, turning on the TV or radio, etc., to see what CMS has done off campus to embarass the UA. However, he was attempting to do the best he could do with the ability he appeared to have. Yes, like you said, I was in favor of his dismissmal but this is a sad day and you can not help but feel sorry for the CMS family even if he does get $4 million. He is a very "classy" guy and just wished he had as much coaching talent as he appeared to have "class".
 
Actually made me sad to hear him say Roll Tide at the end. I have been embarassed by his coaching this year but I still think he cared about the program.
 
"I am deeply disappointed to be fired as the Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama. From my very first day on this job, I had a single mission: To return the Crimson Tide to its place among the elite programs in college football. Although I maintain that we were moving steadily in that direction, I regret sincerely that I will not be given the opportunity to finish the job I was hired to do.

"I am forever grateful to my loyal coaching staff, who worked so tirelessly to help us overcome the difficulties we faced during these past four years. Despite inherited restrictions, including probation and scholarship limits, our teams played with integrity and commanded respect. Our 10-2 record in 2005 was no fluke; it was evidence of a program on the rise. Although the past season was not fulfilling, it was nevertheless a season that witnessed the emergence of several young players who will help the Crimson Tide win big in the years to come.

"I want to thank our players and their families for committing to our mission. I am sorry that our record this past year did not reflect your passion and commitment to winning. When we met Sunday night, I fully believed that I was going to remain the head coach at the University. I apologize that you did not learn of the firing from me. Do not let the circumstances of my firing allow you to lose your focus. Do not let this transition rob you of your potential for greatness. Together with the talented recruits who have committed to join the Tide next year, I am fully confident that the pieces are in place for you to accomplish great things.

"Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank those of you who made our four-year stay at Alabama a rewarding experience. Your kindness toward me, Shari and our family will be remembered fondly.

"In closing, I leave Alabama proud that the football program is a better place than the one I inherited four years ago. Although time will ultimately gauge the depth of our progress, I am confident that the return on our effort will be realized by the University and its football community.

"As a former player and a graduate of this great University, I wish the program great success in the years ahead. Roll Tide."
 
Re: Shula's statement very classy.

BamainBoston said:
Do we have a link. I wanted Shula gone, but this is still a sad day. I almost wish I had a reason to like him less.
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Mike Shula is a very good person and should be complimented for his character as a person. We need more people in society with his kind of morals. He should be commended for bringing stability back to our program.

However, even "good people" get in over their heads and "good people" have flaws. From my understanding Mike Shula was given the opportunity to remain the head coach at Alabama given that significant changes were made to his staff. He chose not to make any personnel changes and the changes he did offer were (from my understanding) window dressing at best. College football is a serious ordeal. If it wasn't it wouldn't be the cut throat what have you done for me lately production it's become, the coaches wouldn't be making seven figure salaries and the assistants wouldn't be making six figures.

I think the University of Alabama should be commended for giving Shula the opportunity to right the ship. He just chose not to make the changes that satisfied the University. It is what it is, was what it was, now let's move onto making the necassary moves to get us back relevant in the SEC.
 
VirginiaTide57 said:
"I am deeply disappointed to be fired as the Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama. From my very first day on this job, I had a single mission: To return the Crimson Tide to its place among the elite programs in college football. Although I maintain that we were moving steadily in that direction, I regret sincerely that I will not be given the opportunity to finish the job I was hired to do.

"I am forever grateful to my loyal coaching staff, who worked so tirelessly to help us overcome the difficulties we faced during these past four years. Despite inherited restrictions, including probation and scholarship limits, our teams played with integrity and commanded respect. Our 10-2 record in 2005 was no fluke; it was evidence of a program on the rise. Although the past season was not fulfilling, it was nevertheless a season that witnessed the emergence of several young players who will help the Crimson Tide win big in the years to come.

"I want to thank our players and their families for committing to our mission. I am sorry that our record this past year did not reflect your passion and commitment to winning. When we met Sunday night, I fully believed that I was going to remain the head coach at the University. I apologize that you did not learn of the firing from me. Do not let the circumstances of my firing allow you to lose your focus. Do not let this transition rob you of your potential for greatness. Together with the talented recruits who have committed to join the Tide next year, I am fully confident that the pieces are in place for you to accomplish great things.

"Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank those of you who made our four-year stay at Alabama a rewarding experience. Your kindness toward me, Shari and our family will be remembered fondly.

"In closing, I leave Alabama proud that the football program is a better place than the one I inherited four years ago. Although time will ultimately gauge the depth of our progress, I am confident that the return on our effort will be realized by the University and its football community.

"As a former player and a graduate of this great University, I wish the program great success in the years ahead. Roll Tide."
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Classy, I suppose, although it sounds as if he's simply trying to make excuses for his performance and criticize the way in which the decision to let him go was handled.
 
Considering it's as much of a "last word" that he'll ever get, and we'll be able to talk about him and the job he did from now on (and talk about the mediocrity of the "shula era"), I think it was pretty well-said...

...on a couple of side notes, was that thing handwritten? PF stumbled a lot over it... and how many times has Finebaum ever had to say "Roll Tide" before?

RTR...
 
BamainBoston said:
Wow. It makes me sad and angry at the same time. If he had just gone into Mal and said that he was willing to do anything to make this work including replacing some guys who werent up to the level, he would still be coach today.
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It is not uncommon for coaches to "go down with the ship". I think Mike Ditka took the same approach with the saints and others have done it as well. Now depending on who you talk to will depend on whether that is a "smart" decision or not.
 
Even though I have been a vocal critic of Coach Shula at times, in many respects I am sad to see him go. He represented the University well and I think he had the best interests of the program in mind. After we hired him I really wanted him to work out. I believe he gave it his best shot and just came up short. As someone else said, I really wish I had a reason to dislike him, it would make this much easier. But I don't, he seems to be a very genuine, nice guy. Best of luck to him and his family.
 
CapitalTider said:
Even though I have been a vocal critic of Coach Shula at times, in many respects I am sad to see him go. He represented the University well and I think he had the best interests of the program in mind. After we hired him I really wanted him to work out. I believe he gave it his best shot and just came up short. As someone else said, I really wish I had a reason to dislike him, it would make this much easier. But I don't, he seems to be a very genuine, nice guy. Best of luck to him and his family.
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DITTO! It's truly heartbreaking to witness him having to go like this. He is, after all, still one of ours.
 
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