Link: WSJ Article with Mrs. Terry: Bama fans are unappreciative, but we're not leaving

[dvldog]

I'm sure if she feels she was misquoted she will clarify. Who knows? As for me, I'm really glad they are at Bama and appreciate all they have done and continue to do. However, God willing, the team and the school will be here tomorrow and long after they leave. Roll Tide.

 

[92tide]

I am disappointed these stories always come out week of a big game. Second, IMO the comment Bama fans are unappreciative is casting a pretty wide net. What exactly do we as Bama fans need to do to show are appreciation? I mean we pack BDS every Saturday, enrollment is at an all time high, royalties from shirts, etc are through the roof in terms of revenue, best facilities, etc etc……. All of this IMO is a result of CNS. If that is not appreciation, maybe someone needs to define appreciation for me….

the comment was not "fans are unappreciative" it was "people…become appreciated" and aside from that, the quote is not placed in any sort of context.

lots of folks are just assuming people = fans and then running with it.

 

[B1GTide]

First, I think that she is in a better position to judge the behavior of the fans than the fans themselves. She is trying to point out one of those blind spots and many of you want to argue the point instead of learning and growing.

When she says "unappreciative", she does not mean that you do not appreciate your coaches or players. She means that you have lost touch with the reality of sports - that every team has wins and losses. Alabama's success is unprecedented in football at this level. You see me write about it all the time - what is happening in your program is SPECIAL. It is not the same thing that happened over a 25+ year span under Coach Bryant. It is so much more. But Alabama fans just think that this is the way that it is supposed to be at Alabama. That thought process is totally unappreciative of your current situation. It lacks perspective and glosses over the greatness.

What is happening right now at Alabama has never happened before, and will probably never happen again. Not at Alabama - not anywhere. Oh, you might win championships with another head coach, but not like this. And remember that you might not win another championship - ever. It is your inability to think that way that makes you unappreciative.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

All those fans with delicate feelings need to step back. The Saban's are well known for occasionally saying something on their mind that makes the other party uncomfortable. When Saban arrived, he was blunt with some slacker players, they left.

If Ms Terry has a bee in her bonnet over attendance or whatever, I'm sorry she would go to a muckraker like the WSJ, but that's done so we can deal with it. However, I want her to feel free to speak her mind. I'm reminded of the cliché where the pledge gets a lick with a paddle and says "Thankyou, may I have another?" If Ms Terry needs a whipping boy, I volunteer.

The upshot of the story is they are staying. NEWSFLASH: The only thing in question is how long before he retires? Let's encourage them to put that off as long as possible. The fans bashing Ms Terry does just the opposite.

If they stay, we know they will keep winning. That's what matters to me. If they step on my toes every once in a while I can take it with a smile. I'm lucky enough to be a Bama grad. I lived in Tuscaloosa 4 years and came to love it. The Sabans have now been in T-town nearly twice as long as I was, their two children are Bama grads. Folks, they are not outsiders looking in anymore, they are both part of us. Their ties to T-town are closer than most everybody's. They are Bama people.

 

[crimsonaudio]

*yawn*

Personally, I've got no time for passive-aggressive folks - say what you mean or say nothing. We're all adults here.

You want more money? Talk to the university - I'd be stunned if they balked at more cash.

You want better fan attendance? Call the fans out directly or talk to the university about changing the program(s) by which tickets are allotted / sold.

You want *my* attention? Tell us what you really want. Directly. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

Maybe she was misquoted, maybe it was taken out of context, maybe she really is upset - I've no idea. But I've a hard time getting worked up without knowing and it certainly comes across as some sort of passive-aggressive gamesmanship, and I refuse to waste my time worrying about that type of 'clutter'.

 

[B1GTide]

Instead of wringing hands over the "lack of appreciation" part, why not focus on the more important statement "We have decided: this is where we are going to end our career."

Because the two are not separate. Remember that the Sabans are not young. The goal of every Alabama fan should be to make it as difficult for Nick and Terry Saban to retire as possible. Show them so much love and appreciation that they cannot imagine a life without Alabama football. Show them that you appreciate the team, and the effort - win or lose - because to Nick Saban, it is not about the wins. The wins come from the process, and the process is the goal. The process breaks down when the sense of entitlement takes over.

He is trying to teach. He is broadening his sphere of influence to include not just the players, but anyone and everyone that will listen. Time to listen.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

*yawn*

Personally, I've got no time for passive-aggressive folks - say what you mean or say nothing. We're all adults here.

You want more money? Talk to the university - I'd be stunned if they balked at more cash.

You want better fan attendance? Call the fans out directly or talk to the university about changing the program(s) by which tickets are allotted / sold.

You want *my* attention? Tell us what you really want. Directly. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

Maybe she was misquoted, maybe it was taken out of context, maybe she really is upset - I've no idea. But I've a hard time getting worked up without knowing and it certainly comes across as some sort of passive-aggressive gamesmanship, and I refuse to waste my time worrying about that type of 'clutter'.

I understand your point of view, I think? I was put off by the article myself, and expect we have the same gut feeling.

But, to clarify, I read your post as your saying Ms Terry is a passive aggressive person that you have no time for. Surely I am misunderstanding you.

 

[Clubfitter]

Did not see this thread until this morning. What a way to wake up. Have not had time to read the whole thread. My immediate response is the country is looking for ways to bring down our dynasty. Look back at the timing of a lot of articles that came out in the last 10 weeks (usually on tuesday or wednesday). Can anyone say distractions. I refuse to be taken in (and act butt hurt over a WSJ article.) We have the best thing going since Coach Bryant in the 60's and 70's. Get over it. We have Auburn ahead just lickin their chops just waiting for a chance to knock us off. Best way to react to articles like this is show our support for our program and show our appreciation to the Sabans for what they have brought to our university. Roll Tide Roll.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I understand your point of view, I think? I was put off by the article myself, and expect we have the same gut feeling.

But, to clarify, I read your post as your saying Ms Terry is a passive aggressive person that you have no time for. Surely I am misunderstanding you.

I'm not put-off by the article, I'm put off by the attitude that was portrayed - I'm saying the quotes, as printed, are passive-aggressive - if that's what she said in context, then no, I don't have time for it and I don't care.

I don't care for anyone playing games - tell me what you want or shut it. Even my wife would tell you that, and she's the most important person on this earth to me.

I left the door open to the possibility that she was misquoted, but if it's accurate, then all I can do is shrug...

 

[B1GTide]

I'm not put-off by the article, I'm put off by the attitude that was portrayed - I'm saying the quotes, as printed, are passive-aggressive - if that's what she said in context, then no, I don't have time for it and I don't care.

I don't care for anyone playing games - tell me what you want or shut it. Even my wife would tell you that, and she's the most important person on this earth to me.

I left the door open to the possibility that she was misquoted, but if it's accurate, then all I can do is shrug...

You understand that when speaking to a large group of people, it is not possible to give a list of "To Dos", right? You want an actionable task? She isn't proposing conditions for their stay. She is just pointing out a flaw, and you think she is being "passive-aggressive" because you do not see it as directly actionable?

 

[derek4tide]

I'm still trying to figure out why she is doing an interview with the WSJ. Like Crimsonaudio said, I'm not in to passive-aggressive BS and the article comes across as that and not much else. What is she trying to accomplish here?:conf2:

 

[crimsonaudio]

You understand that when speaking to a large group of people, it is not possible to give a list of "To Dos", right? You want an actionable task? She isn't proposing conditions for their stay. She is just pointing out a flaw, and you think she is being "passive-aggressive" because you do not see it as directly actionable?

LOL, it's an interview, she wasn't in front of a crowd. She chose to go there, and left it dangling there like most folks do nowadays because so few are willing to be direct. She could very easily have explained what she meant - the fact that there's a ~200 post thread here where no one is sure exactly what she meant clearly means she either didn't think it through or this is some sort of game.

Neither of which move me to do a thing...

 

[B1GTide]

LOL, it's an interview, she wasn't in front of a crowd. She chose to go there, and left it dangling there like most folks do nowadays because so few are willing to be direct. She could very easily have explained what she meant - the fact that there's a ~200 post thread here where no one is sure exactly what she meant clearly means she either didn't think it through or this is some sort of game.

Neither of which move me to do a thing...

You think that she did not know that her auience was the entire country when she gave that interview? You are not thinking this through at all. Not like you.

 

[bamacon]

What's interesting to me is her comments track something that Saban said in one of his earliest press conferences -- that reasonable expectations were a key part of a successful and stable program, and unreasonable ones can undermine what you're trying to build. The same theme emerged earlier this year when he said this team was being weighed down by unfair comparisons to earlier squads. Then it was the fans leaving early. Now this.

Makes me wonder if her comments are as much about them as they are about the rest of us. The Sabans have never been anywhere for very long. Maybe they are indeed struggling with the expectations of others. Or maybe they are grappling with this being the final stop, and they having to make a longterm commitment to a job and a place for the first time in their lives.

Thank you thank you thank you CE!!!

I was thinking this as I lay in bed last night. They are both goal oriented and the process is an incremental thing. They've always been turnaround specialists. They've only done 1) start rebuilding the foundation 2) establish everything you need to win and then they have moved when it was time to maintain. 3's biggest challenge is trying to maintain the intensity of effort and avoid the sense of entitlement that comes with success. The other part of that is managing expectations. It is just a new challenge they are learning to overcome because they saw how those expectations affected the players performance on the field. CNS is always all about focusing on the things you can control and they are realizing that some things (ridiculous expectations) are out your control. If she could go back she would use your post to answer the question

 

[crimsonaudio]

You think that she did not know that her auience was the entire country when she gave that interview? You are not thinking this through at all. Not like you.

I'm guessing you've not read my thoughts and are just shooting from the hip. I've thought it through - in fact, that's why I waited until this AM to post about it.

Yes, she knew it the message would go everywhere, which is precisely why I say - if you're even going to go there, then GO THERE - explain what you want. She doesn't have to give step-by-step instructions, but I grow weary of these sorts of cryptic messages. She knows every word will be examined and yet here we discuss it without even knowing precisely who she was talking to. Was it a message to the fans? To the administration? Was it about attendance? Was it about the overall expectation level? We don't know.

So she does an interview, apparently the week before the biggest game of the season against an arch-rival, and she floats this out there?

Like I said, I've got no time for that.

And in case you're reading my words incorrectly (easy to do on these forums), I'm not upset. I honestly just don't care.

 

[Alasippi]

My mouth dropped open when I read this. I'll just say this about Bama:

There is no university fan base in America with higher expectations, there is no fan base in America who will support changing coaches faster when those expectations are not met, and there is no fan base in America who appreciates an excellent coaching job and an outstanding coach more.

If a poll vote was taken today for "The Most Beloved and Appreciated Couple in Alabama", Nick and Terry Saban would win in a landslide.

I hope Coach Saban addresses this article in his press conference today. I really think he should.
But then, he probably knows nothing about it and hasn't read it. After all, he doesn't have time to be sitting around reading newspapers.

sip

 

[B1GTide]

I'm guessing you've not read my thoughts and are just shooting from the hip. I've thought it through - in fact, that's why I waited until this AM to post about it.

Yes, she knew it the message would go everywhere, which is precisely why I say - if you're even going to go there, then GO THERE - explain what you want. She doesn't have to give step-by-step instructions, but I grow weary of these sorts of cryptic messages. She knows every word will be examined and yet here we discuss it without even knowing precisely who she was talking to. Was it a message to the fans? To the administration? Was it about attendance? Was it about the overall expectation level? We don't know.

So she does an interview, apparently the week before the biggest game of the season against an arch-rival, and she floats this out there?

Like I said, I've got no time for that.

And in case you're reading my words incorrectly (easy to do on these forums), I'm not upset. I honestly just don't care.

Fair enough, but I think that she did GO THERE. She did all of the things that you say that she did not do, because she was talking to all of the groups that you mentioned - everyone associated with your program, and as many not associated with your program as would listen. And she tried to do it in a way that would be well received - by letting everyone know that change in this area was not a condition of the Sabans staying and had not so limited their happiness at Alabama that they are ready to retire.

But it is still not well received, and each person who is not receiving it well seemingly has a different reason, but not really.

When JFK said, "...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Was he being passive-aggressive because his words could mean so many different things to so many different people? You are both reading too much, and not enough, into her statements, IMO.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Fair enough, but I think that she did GO THERE.

Agree to disagree - I guess I'm just slow.

I've said my piece as clearly as I can so I'll leave you guys to work on this one.

 

[B1GTide]

Agree to disagree - I guess I'm just slow.

I've said my piece as clearly as I can so I'll leave you guys to work on this one.

LOL - Sorry if I implied that you are wrong and I am right - just a difference of opinion.

 

[Padreruf]

"If" she said this as quoted, then I understand where she is coming from. When you deal with the public it is all about managing expectations. That is the way people are...I remember when CPB was being attacked...if he lost a game the world was coming to an end. CNS has created a "monster" that will never be duplicated...and yes, some do not "get it." Not all...just some.