i wonder if saban is sick of the nfl already....or maybe his method of coaching is better suited for college kids....and anybody would be better than shula....who is in over his head.
Sports columnist Kevin Scarbinsky
Bama makes inquiry about Nick Saban
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The lack of a public pronouncement by the University of Alabama about the future of head football coach Mike Shula stems, at least in part, from the school's efforts to persuade Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban to take the job.
Several people who've talked to people involved in the process say that someone representing Alabama contacted Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, and they discussed whether he would be interested in the Alabama job. Those people say he has an offer on the table.
If Alabama ends up staying with Shula, it likely means Saban said no.
After watching Shula try tolearn on the job for four years, Alabama does not want to fire him unless it feels confident it can replace him with an experienced head coach who has proven himself a winner.
Saban's still in the process of rebuilding the Dolphins - he's 13-13 in the middle of his second season there - but he's one of the most respected head coaches in the business.
All he did at LSU was win the 2001 and 2003 SEC titles and the 2003 BCS national championship.
If Alabama is going to fire Shula a year after giving him a new contract with a hefty pay raise, the school wants to hit a home run. Saban would be a walk-off grand slam.
Can you blame a school for trying?
It's a move reminiscent of Auburn's attempt to secure Bobby Petrino before releasing Tommy Tuberville three years ago, but any parallels to Jetgate are few and far between.
As upset as Auburn fans were with the 2003 season - which started with a No. 6 national ranking and ended with an 8-5 record - they rallied around Tuberville when word of his impending demise got out.
If Shula is returning - which the university has not confirmed - many Alabama fans will be bitterly disappointed that their school wasn't able to lure someone like Saban.
At the time of Jetgate, Tuber ville had just won his second straight Iron Bowl to improve his record to 3-2 against Ala bama. He already had one outright SEC West title and a trip to the SEC Championship Game on his resume.
Shula has yet to beat Auburn or LSU, period.
If he returns, it'll be as a wounded duck.
Ask Tuberville what an administration that questions your competence does for recruiting. The 2004 Auburn signing class took a hit. The 2007 Alabama class is sure to suffer as well.
Nor will it be easy for Shula to hire the best and brightest assistants if he makes staff changes, which he's expected to do. What big-name coaches want to come work for a head coach who's now on the clock?
If you can't beat'em, join'em.
Shula hasn't beaten Tuberville. He has to hope he can join him as a coach who came back from the brink. Kevin Scarbinsky's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Write him at kscarbinsky@bhamnews.com. Nick SabanFormer LSU coach has a 13-13 record in the middle of his second season with the Miami Dolphins
Sports columnist Kevin Scarbinsky
Bama makes inquiry about Nick Saban
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The lack of a public pronouncement by the University of Alabama about the future of head football coach Mike Shula stems, at least in part, from the school's efforts to persuade Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban to take the job.
Several people who've talked to people involved in the process say that someone representing Alabama contacted Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, and they discussed whether he would be interested in the Alabama job. Those people say he has an offer on the table.
If Alabama ends up staying with Shula, it likely means Saban said no.
After watching Shula try tolearn on the job for four years, Alabama does not want to fire him unless it feels confident it can replace him with an experienced head coach who has proven himself a winner.
Saban's still in the process of rebuilding the Dolphins - he's 13-13 in the middle of his second season there - but he's one of the most respected head coaches in the business.
All he did at LSU was win the 2001 and 2003 SEC titles and the 2003 BCS national championship.
If Alabama is going to fire Shula a year after giving him a new contract with a hefty pay raise, the school wants to hit a home run. Saban would be a walk-off grand slam.
Can you blame a school for trying?
It's a move reminiscent of Auburn's attempt to secure Bobby Petrino before releasing Tommy Tuberville three years ago, but any parallels to Jetgate are few and far between.
As upset as Auburn fans were with the 2003 season - which started with a No. 6 national ranking and ended with an 8-5 record - they rallied around Tuberville when word of his impending demise got out.
If Shula is returning - which the university has not confirmed - many Alabama fans will be bitterly disappointed that their school wasn't able to lure someone like Saban.
At the time of Jetgate, Tuber ville had just won his second straight Iron Bowl to improve his record to 3-2 against Ala bama. He already had one outright SEC West title and a trip to the SEC Championship Game on his resume.
Shula has yet to beat Auburn or LSU, period.
If he returns, it'll be as a wounded duck.
Ask Tuberville what an administration that questions your competence does for recruiting. The 2004 Auburn signing class took a hit. The 2007 Alabama class is sure to suffer as well.
Nor will it be easy for Shula to hire the best and brightest assistants if he makes staff changes, which he's expected to do. What big-name coaches want to come work for a head coach who's now on the clock?
If you can't beat'em, join'em.
Shula hasn't beaten Tuberville. He has to hope he can join him as a coach who came back from the brink. Kevin Scarbinsky's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Write him at kscarbinsky@bhamnews.com. Nick SabanFormer LSU coach has a 13-13 record in the middle of his second season with the Miami Dolphins
