Yup, he wasn't given all that talent.

Right. We had mediocre overall talent and little depth. Granted he had a great recruiting year after his first season, but the difference between his first year's team and the second year was dramatic. Yes, he can coach and develop players, and that's why many want to play for him.

BG

I was explicit in that you let him ESCAPE.....oh and Jones was not the fifth choice....I know for a fact that Strong was the only one offered out of the whole bunch....yeah they talked to other coaches but none of them were actually offered the job.....Butch wanted to be here and I for one and damn glad we got him after watching Strong implode when he went to a Texas HS coaches clinic....apparently Strong is the anti Spurrier......

You said he was "BASICALLY FIRED" or we "LET HIM" escaped to the Aggies. Either way, that's just not factual. Fran was  in good standing at Bama, and he received a counter offer matching what the Aggies had offered. He was concerned about the sanctions being more severe that what he was led to believe from discussions Alabama had with the conference office. He bolted on his on and we tried hard to keep him, and did not just "let him" leave by doing nothing which "let him" implies.


Also, if you want to look at it that way, then no Fran wasn't fifth choice either as Bama talked to some others who weren't interested but no actual offer was made.
BG

He doesn't have to the Alabama fans do more than enough for him......

I know that UA has been on a long ride, but I harken back ot the mid 90s when UA had the Shula experiment and the other coaches that caused all you fans such consternation that you basically fired one or let him escape to Texas A&M (aka Fifthchoiceione) and bemoaned that you could not beat UT and UF etc etc etc.....  Sometimes I just want to go and hold up a sign that says "Never Forget That you Hired Shula TOO!!!"

Yeah I know death wish.....

We let Fran go?!?! Also, all fans do the same but not all coaches slam others. SOS does, but not Nick. Yes, Fran was about fifth choice. So was Jones. So what?

BG

That's one thing you never see: Nick doesn't knock other coaches.

BG

I like it...particularly when he fires at Saban.  

No one is saying Saban is mediocre though.  He's a good coach.  But....anyone with the level of talent he has will succeed.    I think Jim Donnan could win the MNC with that level of talent, or at least play for it a couple times.
[/quotes

Yep, no way does Donnan leads any team to four national titles in eight years and three in four years. That's not happening. No way would he develop a disciplined football team the way Saban does.

BG

Well, if Pirate is going to sing then so am I!

Well, I'ma standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona such a fine sight to see....



Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

BG

On the contrary, there is smoke billowing out of every window.  Allegation after allegation, after allegation, and nothing happens.  
http://www.nevertoyieldfoundation.com/2013/where-theres-fire-theres-fire/

And it's well known that Mike Farrell is a bammer fan.  That right there is funny.  

Yeah, and Lance Armstrong wasn't cheating either.  He said so!  

You link the most insane Auburn site on the 'net as a source. Even many Auburn fans cringe on the mention of that site. C'mon Bandit, with your disgust of all things Bama combined with living in the state, it won't be long before your yells of Go Vols turn to War Eagle!
 
Farrell a Bama fan?!?! I don't think so. Hardly, but he can give a litany of reasons why that staff is so effective.

Btw, I know you were interested in visiting the west when over a month ago I said I was going on a trip there. One thing I do need to tell you. We were south of Yellowstone in the Grand Tetons travelling maybe 40 mph around a curve when we saw a large brown face sticking out of the bushes to our left. That face and then body proceeded to BOLT across the path of my car no more than 8 yards ahead of us. I SLAMMED on the brakes while a huge GRIZZLEY ran across the road into more brush about twenty yards off the road to the right.  No joke here...just an AWESOME sight just in front of me!
There are real reasons the speed limit is 45 or less, and the constant signs of Beware of Bears.

War Eagle, Bandit! J/K...

BG



 

Oh I know.  It just that, if you are mathematically inclined, the numbers are simply shocking.  It's like a team winning the Super Bowl ten times in a row or someone hitting 10 HRs in a row against good pitching.

The state is loaded with some great juniors this season, and both Alabama and probably Auburn should have a really good group coming in 2016.

BG

The Tide was under repeat offender status with the NCAA until recently. It makes zero, nada and no sense for them to violate the rules. No staff has complained about violations by Alabama.

Fact is no one works harder than the Tide staff. You guys know the type of work ethic Bama's head coach has. I know I won't change your minds but there you go. Ask Mike Farrell at Rivals if he thinks Bama cheats.

BG

These "farms" were a mind blowing experience to see on my recent trip to the west. Mile after mile after mile of them as far as one could see.


BG

Seed $$$????

Of course.

BG

'Crutin going well. Saban now concentrating on the 2021 class.

BG

Dad is now very critical and I'm headed back up to Knoxville

Praying again for you and your Dad.

BG

Yep, that WAS from left field! Sorry! 

BG

Hijacking from Left Field is prohibited.

Wrong thread. Thanks for the understanding.

Right.  Kansas is more or less just a place to drive through on the way home, lol.  

Although there are a couple of historical Western type sites that have been recommended to me, so who knows?

While we are on the topic of vacations, my trip to Gulf Shores was two couples.  The male in the other couple is a huge bammer fan.  We shared a two bedroom condo, so there was a common TV, right?  There are two sources of TV in Gulf Shores...some stations are Mobile and others are Pensacola.  My buddy flat refused to watch the Pensacola stations because they were in Florida.

Seriously...WHAT THE fizzle is wrong with you bammers!  

To be such a "loyal bammer" that you won't even watch a TV station because "it's not Alabama".  That right there is a special breed of crazy.  

Strange indeed!  The Pensacola stations probably report more Bama news than Florida or Seminole news. I know the type though. My son 'n law hates Apple because since Jobs died it's run by an Auburn alum. Seriously he will  not buy anything from them!

BG







 

Bandit,  no motor home just took the car. I went through southern Illinois and St.Louis because there was a particular Indian site I wanted view named Cahokia. We did Kansas and there was nobody home After Topika, you drive and see virtually nothing but wide open spaces. This is our grand tour and something we have always wanted to do.

BG

OJ, so good to hear he's better. Sounds like he's come a long way.

BG

Just spent 5 days at the beach.  Eating sea food, drinking beer, playing in the surf, and walking in the sand. I think the drive was the worst part. Good thing I just retired and do not have to worry about work.

Speaking of the drive on being on vacation being bad, we left for the west Wednesday and so far are up to 2200+ miles. Left the Rockies in Colorado this am and now in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for several days. Still have to go up near the Canadian border in Montana to Glacier National Park (staying in Whitefish), and then making our way back down to Las Vegas, LA, and finally to Arizona. Might start back in about two and a half more weeks, but no date set for the return to Alabama...might be at longer. Speaking of being tired after a vacation

BG

Awesome!
 
BG

Your Dad, you and your family have been in my prayers everyday and will continue to be. Just mentioned to my wife that I hope you gave an update today just prior to pulling up the board. Prayers to continue.

BG

My dad had some major surgery Tuesday and is now in ICU and not doing well at all.

Praying now for your Dad, you and your family.

BG

Bryant and Neyland didn't have to face each other 2 times in 1 year to win the SEC either.

Remember LSU 2001?

No, but googled. Sometime that happens. Alabama played Florida twice in '99.


BG

I think Slive went to bat for us. In today's world a unique thing happened: Tradition mattered. Bryant and Neyland are pleased.


BG

[and, I'll tell you this...I expect nothing less!]

Well, I'm really liking the Mama singing Rocky Top to her baby.  

 I thought you would like it!: and, I'll tell you this...I expect nothing less! See video one for reference


 BG