January 5, 2007
Saban hires FSU's Steele as DC
On the day FSU announced the hiring of WVU OL coach Rick Trickett, the Seminoles lost one of their most respected assistant coaches to Alabama. Steele had been tabbed by many as a likely successor to Bowden at Florida State.
FSU Executive Head Coach Kevin Steele, the nation's top recruiter by Rivals.com, told Bobby Bowden he was leaving Florida State to join Nick Saban's Crimson Tide staff as defensive coordinator.
Bowden was caught off guard Thursday morning when Steele told him he was leaving for Alabama. Saban offered Steele a position on the Miami Dolphins' staff two years ago. This time, the offer included a significant pay raise and promotion, as well as the opportunity to work near his parents' home."It was a surprise, and yet I can understand why with his mom and dad being right close in Tuscaloosa," Bowden said. "I can understand him wanting to be close to family and having a chance like that.
"He's done an excellent job at Florida State. He's worked great with Mickey Andrews and our defensive staff. He's done an excellent job in recruiting and has been a great asset to our program. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family."
With Steele leaving the defensive staff at Florida State, it is likely that former NC State Head Coach Chuck Amato will return to the Seminoles, where he spent 17 years with Coach Bowden, to replace Steele.
Comments:
Tom Blogical said:
posted on January 5, 2007 10:23 AM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
I noticed that Trickett was hired as "Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach At Florida State". Does that put the kibosh on FSU's pursuit of Jimbo Fisher?
gatorhippy said:
posted on January 5, 2007 10:41 AM — 70.121.184.145 — link — abuse?
Good move by Steele...
Better to get out of Tally now than chance getting his reputation tarnished by becoming another scapegoat to the Bowdens...
Like McHale, Heggins, Rix and Booker have...
Like Sexton was surely going to be if he didn't "resign" to take a position with the FSU Foundation...
Like Dickey is surely to become...
Chris said:
posted on January 5, 2007 10:51 AM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
GREAT way to follow up a press conference. Said yesterday that the key to winning was to get the best players he could as well as the best staff he could. AWESOME step in that direction.
Ladies and gentlemen if the Alabama Mafia stays out of his way, you could be sitting on the beginning of a GREAT high tide!!!
Bring on 2007!!
hokie4life said:
posted on January 5, 2007 10:53 AM — 67.72.98.119 — link — abuse?
Alabama??? What an embarrasing and absolutely humiliating program!!! Paying a football coach over 4 million a year??? Are you kidding me??? How many scholarships would that give less fortunate high school graduates. I have absolutely no respect for Alabama. Shula had that program going in the right direction! What is with these schools stopping at nothing just to win!!! Just face it bama, the days of old are gone!!! College football is way too competative these days. I you don't beleive it how many people picked Boise St. over OK??? It just goes to show any given Saturday. Sure you may win a NC something my beloved VT has never done, but you will never dominate college football again. Get over it hire a freaking coach and stick with him. Hey kinda like VT Beamer has been ther over 20 years. Yeah that's right VT has stayed with him through thick and thin.
gatorhippy said:
posted on January 5, 2007 11:37 AM — 70.121.184.145 — link — abuse?
Tom Blog (#3):
FSU has so many (Insert Title Here) Head Coach positions I'm sure they could find something for him...
How about for a positional offer...
Offensive Coordinator and
Super Secret Extra Special Double Executive Lead Assistant Coordinating Behind-The-Scenes Directing Big Honcho Head Coach...
If Jimbo is smart, he'll also have written in the contract an automatic 10 year buyout "contract" worth 2 million to be paid from Oscar Meyer concession money if he "resigns" regardless of his success rate or whether he secures employment elsewhere...
Just call it the "Weiner Clause"...
PreProSports said:
posted on January 5, 2007 11:47 AM — 68.21.103.162 — link — abuse?
Wow. There was a lot of talk that Steele was the successor to Bobby B. Looks like Steele saw things would be different. As much as I hate to say it, my guess is that FSU goes after Mark Richt Bama-style in 2008.
Randy said:
posted on January 5, 2007 12:04 PM — 74.93.5.150 — link — abuse?
Nick Saban's hiring at Alabama might not make an immediate impact on the 2007 class, but it should keep the commitments they have secured intact. However, it will be interesting to see if quarterback Robert Marve (Tampa, Fla./Plant) still decides to explore his options or reaffirms his Alabama commitment.
This hiring has raised the bar in recruiting against Auburn, though. Four big-time prospects from the state of Alabama remain uncommitted -- S Michael McNeil (Mobile, Ala./Davidson), DT Kerry Murphy (Birmingham, Ala./Hoover), DE Sidell Corley Jr. (Mobile, Ala./McGill-Toolen) and WR Brandon Gibson (Mobile, Ala./UMS Wright), and Saban will be after all of them.Alabama has also been in the hunt for DE Allen Bailey (Darien, Ga./McIntosh County Academy), and it now has a realistic chance to land him over Florida, Georgia and Miami.
Chris said:
posted on January 5, 2007 12:10 PM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
Hokie (Post #6) Do you understand the "business" of college football? If..no scratch that. WHEN Saban brings the Alabama program around the money the school receives will be well over his salary. We get paid for bowl games as well as championship games. Combine this with donations from the boosters during a winning season, sponsorships of the team through businesses, economic gains thorugh fan attendance. The school makes bank on having a winning program. That's why they went after someone like that. Football is a business! You hire the best to get the best.
As far as your good old days comment...
You're right. The world is too competitive for a dominate team year in and year out. There is no way teams such as Miami, Ohio State, Michigan, USC and so on can be competitive EVERY YEAR, but when they quit trying they are destined to become an empty program. In Alabama we are not willing to let that happen. We play to win and if the pieces are not in place for winning.....NEW PIECES!!
ROLL TIDE
Tom Blogical said:
posted on January 5, 2007 12:12 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
gatorhippy (#7):
LOL, I wasn't aware of that, you present a great new clause to use! I've never liked the "Assistant" HC, DC, OC designation. I guess I'm old school.
shiguy said:
posted on January 5, 2007 1:05 PM — 69.175.1.22 — link — abuse?
once again i hate to say it buy i agree with the VT fan. alabama is now the official "yankees" of college football. so what if you can't get teh coach you want. just throw money at one till he comes. even espn mentioned how saban is a hipocritical liar. why don't you try getting an up and comming coach from a lower college or even a maybe (gasp) coordinator since taht's what the other 90% of schools do. all this crap about saban making a turn around next year is crap. things don't happend like that. i almost want to buy tickets to the auburn game... to watch them stomp you for another year.
Chris said:
posted on January 5, 2007 1:35 PM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
Quoted from Kirk Herbstreit
"You look at what Nick Saban is doing right now even at this moment in
Tuscaloosa, he is assembling the dream team of a coaching staff and
every SEC coach is seeing their chances of dominance evaporate by the
hour!"
"This is a man who is not going to compete for a national title in 3 to
5 years from now, because I got news for you all.......He wants that
title. And he wants it now!"
"Alabama's only big loss came to Florida in the final minutes and that
was only 15 points, 14 of which were in the final 8 minutes, aside from
that one and only game, Alabama could have won any other game with the
talent that is there right now had they had a coach like Saban in
place."
"Unlike the LSU situation Nick Saban walked into which was talent-less
by any means, at Alabama all Saban has to do is shore up the special
teams, and the defensive line. If he does that in this recruiting
season, Alabama with their favorable schedule especially with big SEC
powers in Tuscaloosa will be shocking a lot of people in the college
football world."
"If you're an Alabama fan, you better be ready for a BCS bowl game next
year because with this staff Saban has nearly assembled already, he is
going to light a fire under these players and you had better believe
Alabama is about to return to its throne very soon."
Martin said:
posted on January 5, 2007 2:00 PM — 128.186.53.216 — link — abuse?
I have great respect for Steele. I thought he would have made a great Head Coach to replace Bobby. However, this does seem to indicate that the next OC hire will become the new heir apparent. Most likely Jimbo. Steele is a great LB coach and will probably make a great coordinator. Sad to see him go, best of luck. Enjoy him Alabama. He will help you win games. Just don't snag Jimbo from us too.
FanoftheGame said:
posted on January 5, 2007 3:55 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
This is getting to be very interesting. There are alot of schools making coaching changes for the 2007-2008 season, but Alabama seems to be assembling some sort of Army in what appears to be an immediate attempt to take control of the SEC. If Bama succeeds, it's only a matter of time before they breech the SEC borders and start going after the rest of the country. The "Louisiana Purchase" might look like a footnote in the history books compared to the "Alabama Purchase" and the "Saban Crusades".
Is it too late to jump on the Bama Bandwagon?......just joking, but its going to be a lot of fun watching the new development of the Crimson Tide Football program.
posted on January 5, 2007 4:15 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
Chris: You mention the Alabama Mafia, or 'Houndstooth' as they are sometimes called. Who comprises this group, to your knowledge? Do you have meddling boosters like our Bobby Lowder, or is it mainly Paul Jr. and other nameless guys? No one in an official university capacity would be considered to be part of this, would they?
Bleed Crimson said:
posted on January 5, 2007 4:36 PM — 72.146.29.114 — link — abuse?
Chris(14) excellent post.
those are the finest words i have ever heard from any member of the gameday crew. everything kirk said is dead-on. we had the opportunity to win every single game last season. we didnt get blown out by any team all year, ultimately, we just didnt catch all the breaks that we got during the 10-2 season the year before.
AllEers said:
posted on January 5, 2007 4:51 PM — 162.129.27.201 — link — abuse?
As a WVU fan that has always been a fan of the Tide, I'm happy for Alabama. I'm especially happy that I don't have to start hating on them for stealing my coach :).
Hey, if you got the money, spend it. It doesn't do anything under the couch, 'ceptin GET BURNED!!!!!!
We share something else in common...Pat White won Alabama Athlete of the Year!
Roll Tide, GO MOUNTAINEERSC-DOGG said:
posted on January 5, 2007 6:25 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
O.K. folks....let's not hang on to Kirk Herbstreit's words of wisdom. He did say that my Canes would win the National title this year (he was off by 2 yrs). However I do believe that Alabama will play for the National title in 4 short years.
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on January 5, 2007 7:29 PM — 24.208.154.195 — link — abuse?
CDOGG+Chris,
I think Bama will be competitive, but NC? Im not buyin it.
1. LSU, Auburn, FLa, Georgia, SC, Tenn(dont laugh), Arky and some upstart.
2. USC, tOSU, Texas, WVU, get 8-9 guaranteed Ws a year.
3. Everyone else in the SEC has a head start.
4. If hes successful, does he jump back to the NFL?
5. Auburn is no longer afraid of Bama.
Randy said:
posted on January 5, 2007 7:33 PM — 74.93.5.150 — link — abuse?
# 1, part of the reason that Auburn fans are haunting the Bama threads is because they fear that their easy run is over.
Why shouldn't they have some competition from Alabama for a change?
Are they afraid that they will never have the national respect that they so desperately seek?
Saban Lies said:
posted on January 5, 2007 8:20 PM — 65.2.189.172 — link — abuse?
Saban is like a rocket that has spent it's fuel. The only people that like him are Bama fans. We'll see how much they like him after the team goes 6-6, and 4-9 over the next two years.
I smell a broken coach, and a karmic disaster brewing.Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on January 6, 2007 9:05 AM — 72.146.75.248 — link — abuse?
Oh yes! I remember those glory days! When 'Bama announced the hiring of [choose one of the following] (Franchione, Price, Shula, Saban, etc. etc. etc.) and the Tide faithful were absolutely positive they would have a NC within two years. Hope springs eternal in Tuscaloosa, I guess.
In all seriousness, Saban did a hell of a job with LSU and he's one of those coaches (e.g. Spurrier) who should have never left college coaching for the pros. However, it's a bit early to be predicting total dominance of the SEC as well as the NCAA. You might want to win a few games first and then start acting like ND fans.
C-DOGG said:
posted on January 6, 2007 11:45 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
OUfan,
Re: post#28,Your right it should be a good game. I think that the key to victory for both teams will be the QB play. You guys are still unstable at that position as well as Miami. We have no idea if Kirby Freeman or Kyle Wright will be the starter. I hope its Kirby because he's better than Kyle. As far as defense, Miami had the 5th ranked defense in the nation this year, while returining most of the starters next year. So it will come down to offense because both teams have a solid defense. Looking forward to it!
GA Boy said:
posted on January 6, 2007 8:01 PM — 66.110.197.20 — link — abuse?
I swear. This is a joke. Alabama will be in the top 10 preseason before this junk is over. They will lose 2 games next year. I say they lose to GA and LSU. My DAWGS are going to rule the SEC next year. And if you thought the SEC was tough this year, wait until next year. LSU, ALA, Ark, GA, FLA, Kentucky, South Carolina will be awesome. Whoever wins the SEC championship next year will win the National Championship. That will be two years in a row and counting. GO DAWGS!!
TSOBO said:
posted on January 6, 2007 8:20 PM — 4.137.95.219 — link — abuse?
DJ Hall, Keith Brown, Nikita Stover, Will Oakley...the last is the weakest and he runs a 4.37 and has great hands! NS is 6'2-6'3 and runa a 4.4 and has tremendous strength and hands, he made an unbeleivable catch against the Barn. this year(every Bama receiver made ridiculous catches)...
JJ, Smith, Ross, Stadler, Pharr, Caldwell, Cardwell etc. NO MORE CAPPS!!!!!!!!
JW a year more mature...Upchurch healthy, grant Healthy, Woodall on defense.
We got the player of the year out of Mississppi in JJ and Woodall in 2004 and 2005....
Bama led UT, UF, barn, and Arky in the 4th quarter..mor eimprotantly if the just made the oline adjustment of pulling that scrub Capps and replacing him with Caldwell at RT and putting Cardwell at C....both barn TDs and Arky TDs caused by sack/fumbles caused by that ghost Capps would be eliminated, and a fr better running game, making Jj the feature back, installing discipline and a work ethic, and having a non-ridiculously predictable offense Bama goes 11-1 guaranteed.
They had tremendous talent this year, Shulaball destroyed it. kines's defense and their lack of fundamentals and 3-3-5 crap was pathetic... they still were decent.
Saban is inheriting a loaded cupbard.
We duing probation recruited the 2006 NFL defensive ROY and the runner up...That is Bama football.
During what cna be considered the effect of probation 2001-2005 we had 2 10 win seasons.
And 2 Top 2-Top 5 defenses in both categories of Yards per and PPG #1 in PG last eyar despite a horrible offense, and bad field position constantly...
Gilberry-All SEC, Castille All-American(10+ forced turnovers this year-led the SEC, great cover corner shut down Monk, Bowe, Meachum, Taylor etc.), Woodall(18 Ints as JR, they stopped throwing to his side his Senior year...), Hall, maybe Johns, Mitchell, Coger, and other young players better...some Saban recruits.
That will be enough.
QB JPW
RB JJ/UpChurch/Mckiknight/Grant/Coffee/Shariff
FB Dial/Hoke
TE Walker and Hoke
WR Hall
WR Brown
WR Stover
WR Oakley
WR Alexander
LT Smith
LG Ross
C Cardwell
RG Caldwell
RT StadlerThat WR corps can hurt people, thanks to shualball's horrific predictability, 3rd and 25's, and igorant buffonery.
Watch out for Saban to unleash this on the SEC, sits shulaball has been that leash holding it back.
Randy said:
posted on January 6, 2007 11:46 PM — 74.93.5.150 — link — abuse?
Prothro will be back in the fall. Start training your defense now.
Gators are still having nightmares about what he did to them.
We were in almost every game that we played this year with the most bland coach of all. We are loaded for next year so it can only get better.
NOLEFACTS said:
posted on January 7, 2007 2:53 PM — 172.148.36.35 — link — abuse?
Fisher is not the FSU fans #1 candidate.
We would rather have Brad Scott .
P.T. Willis for QB coach.
Amato is more than welcome as a LB coach and heir to Mickey.
The hiring of Dawsey..... an excellent move.
Bring in more coaches who bleed GARNET AND GOLD !clemson1981 said:
posted on January 7, 2007 7:07 PM — 74.242.87.170 — link — abuse?
NOLEFACTS post 38:
you honestly want brad scott as your OC, he is the one think both USC and Clemson fans agree on he sucks, it would be no different then having jeff bowden.
and randy i do not think auburn fans are haunting bama threads because they are affraid, i think its because they can, just as you would "haunt" a auburn thread.
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Bama Wins Now said:
posted on January 5, 2007 9:41 AM — 74.254.17.66 — link — abuse?UMMMM, If you don't think Bama is going to win right away you are a idiot. Auburn is done, they will finish no better than 3rd in the SEC West for the next twenty years. I would also like to tell you that the Miami Dolphins are the greatest NFL team ever. Losers!!!