November 30, 2006
What does Alabama do if it's not Spurrier?
I had a quick chat today with a pretty sharp Alabama guy, which gave me the opportunity to ask the question: What does Alabama do if it's not Spurrier? With hundreds of thousands of Alabama fans debating the future with & without the Ol Ball Coach, I can help but wonder about the impact that this could have on the future of the Crimson Tide program.
I wouldn't put it past Steve Spurrier to be sitting somewhere right now, having a nice glass of wine and chuckling at the way Alabama fans are throwing themselves at his feet. All the while, the reputation of South Carolina -- a school that UA is potentially competing against for recruits -- is being raised nationwide by the very actions of Crimson Tide fans.
Those that are "in the know" on the Alabama coaching search say that - along with Spurrier - West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, Bobby Petrino of Louisville, Navy's Paul Johnson, and Tampa's Jon Gruden are all in the mix. That's a pretty damn good coaching list. But -- when all the fans are talking about is Steve Spurrier -- what message are these candidates getting about Alabama?
With all the attention that Tide fans/writers/pundits have paid to Capt Visor, why would any other coach want to interview at Alabama?
The Houndstooth Mafia have melted down the message boards with talk of Steve Spurrier, so why would any coach subject himself to being the "runner up"? Who is going to believe Moore when he stands up and says, "This is the guy we wanted all along."
Now, I fully expect the 'Bama crowd to rally around the runner-up and say, "We are Alabama. We are one family." (Blah, blah, blah). And I fully expect that it will be true - the runner-up coach will get the support of the UA community.
But I just have to ask: What message are you sending about Alabama today? What message are you sending to that "runner-up" coach today?
Comments:
Chris said:
posted on November 30, 2006 2:50 PM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
We are looking a little stupid in the national spotlight.
I bartended my way through college and this reminds me of the drunken idiots at the end of the night.
The thought of going home alone is horrible so they hit on the prettiest girl they see. When she says no they go to the next one. Sooner or later ALL the girls know what's going home and they end up going home alone or with some fat drunken hooker.
So there you go Bama faithful! We get the best or we go home with a fat drunken idiot.....
Wait wasn't that Mike Price?
stevebo said:
posted on November 30, 2006 3:13 PM — 208.46.3.82 — link — abuse?
What if the first guy turns it down?!! What's the next guy gonna say? How dare you insult me with your multi-million dollar offer and your stinking facilities that would rival anyone in the country and of course all those poor horrible athelete's that wanna come just because it's ALABAMA! Yes what a terrible message to send going for the best name in coaching!
Jim said:
posted on November 30, 2006 3:34 PM — 208.27.111.130 — link — abuse?
Do you really think that Paul Johnson is going to be offended that the University would prefer to have the coach universally acknowledged as one of the best offensive minds in the history of college football?
Incidentally, I think Charlie Weiss -- Notre Dame's second choice to Urban Meyer -- is working out pretty well for the Irish.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on November 30, 2006 3:36 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
gablesgirl:
Well, looks like I'm gonna have to school you. First off, the boss is always an idiot. 2nd, the boss was hired because he is an idiot. 3rd, the guy that hired the boss is an idiot. And, finally everyone in unison, "YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID"!
Tommie T
TrojanHorse said:
posted on November 30, 2006 3:44 PM — 132.228.195.206 — link — abuse?
exerptsThe offer is allegedly worth $3.3 million a year for seven years, plus a $5 million signing bonus. He'll have free reign (and a blank check) to pick his assistants and will answer directly to President Witt. Some reports say that he'll have a chance to take the Athletic Director spot when he retires from coaching.
UPDATE (11/30, 10:20am): In addition to the links in the comments, the Huntsville Times is reporting that an official source has confirmed that AD Moore has requested permission to speak with spurrier. Fox 6 out of Birmingham reported again today that Spurrier will be meeting with Moore. There are also reports that SC has entered talk with Spurrier to renegotiate his contract, so this could all just be a ploy to get more money out of SC's Athletic Department. I don't know if I believe that, but I'm still not convinced that Spurrier to 'Bama is a likely scenario. These are just the latest rumors and reports.
Jordy Laforge said:
posted on November 30, 2006 3:56 PM — 129.252.87.126 — link — abuse?
No one is going to take Spurrier away from Carolina right now'; he has no good reason to leave yet. He's about to realize all the hard work hes put in here. Next season should be great here. Get your own coach Bama!
Paco said:
posted on November 30, 2006 4:12 PM — 65.216.190.215 — link — abuse?
Petrino is staying put at Louisville. He's making elite money with a killer contract and he's god there. Why in the world would he go to a school where the AD has an itchy trigger finger when it comes to firing coaches??
posted on November 30, 2006 4:30 PM — 152.163.100.196 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
Trojan horse: You got that info from Pete Holiday's site. In spite of him editing the Alabama AOL Fan house site, he doesn't seem to know anything more on this than anyone else. I hate to say it, Pete, but it looks like you're hitching your wagon to the same long-shot as so many of your campadres. It's not going to happen. Choose again...
Trav said:
posted on November 30, 2006 4:34 PM — 24.168.253.159 — link — abuse?
According to The State, Columbia's statewide newspaper, USC is getting into contract renegotiations with Spurrier wanting to give him more money. I honestly don't see money as a motivating factor for this situation, because he turned down an extra $250,000 of his contract and gave it to his assistants instead. Spurrier doesn't care about money - and the two wide receivers that commited yesterday to SC said that Spurrier told them he was staying at South Carolina. I think Spurrier has more integrity to tell a recruit that he is staying and then leave, don't you?
dawgfan said:
posted on November 30, 2006 5:18 PM — 65.222.248.66 — link — abuse?
I would hope (Ive learned this isnt always the case) that the powers that be at bama would not have fired shula unless one of their top canidates(saban, spurrier, etc) had all but taken the job. b/c if they didnt absolutely know that they could get one of those top canidates, it would have been absolutely ludacrious to fire shula to get another mediocre coach when they could have fired shula next year and made another run at a top tier coach. of course the problem w/ that is bama is supposed to be loaded next year and if shula goes 10-2 again, you cant fire him after that season. and that would have given him 2 different 10-2 seasons in 3 years which would have bought him several years. danged if you do, danged if you dont.
Randy said:
posted on November 30, 2006 5:24 PM — 66.82.9.55 — link — abuse?
Geez, after reading some of these posts, I may be one of the few Bama fans who don’t want Spurrier to coach for us. Had no idea that so many people might want him.
Maybe some don't remember how he ran the score up on us in 1991 in Gainesville, 35-0. He clearly had Bama beaten but continued to pass and score. Florida was ranked # 6 and we were never in the game from the start. Another thing is his age. We need a young coach and Spurrier is already 61. He is not that loved by other SEC schools for some of his smart ass comments, among those are: Questioned the abilities of Head Coach Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee ("You can't spell Citrus without UT") and former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning ("I know why Peyton came back for his senior year: he wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP"), in reference to the Citrus Bowl being the designated bowl for the second-choice team from the SEC. He also made the statement that "Orlando is Tennessee's winter home"; this was a reference to the fact that Tennessee appeared in several Florida Citrus Bowls in the 1990s. Poked fun at a fire that burned 20 books at an Auburn University football dorm, saying "But the real tragedy was that fifteen hadn't been colored yet!" Often referred to Georgia Head Coach Ray Goff as "Ray Goof". Not to mention that he went into the NFL with a 25 million dollar contract and made a total mess at Washington. Besides, any man who stands on the sidelines with a visor on looks a little gay to me.
All the naysayer and gloom and doom people are having a field day posting about how NO ONE would want to coach at Alabama Believe me, someone will take the job and will step in to a good program loaded with talent next year. With the contracts of today, all a coach stands to lose if fired is his pride. I hated to see Shula treated like he was but financially he is okay. Really if he wanted to get back at Alabama, all that he would have to do is sign a contact somewhere for $1 a year and Bama would be forced to make up the difference.
Now if we could just get rid of the AD and the rest of the current coaching staff, we would have a fresh start.
Moore is a man who day is over just as Houser was at Auburn.
Kines I would get rid of because his coaching style is becoming a little old and outdated. A defensive coach should have his team to the point where they are consistent not hot and cold like we were all season.
posted on November 30, 2006 5:53 PM — 152.163.100.196 — link — abuse?
BTW: I like Steve Spurrier. I'm a big fan. He is so good for college football. I'd love for him to go to Tideville so we can play him more often. Auburn's still only 5-10 against Spurrier, so we owe him a few beat-downs. Maybe he could be the Bama savior. But what if he isn't? Just another pony on the Alabama Coaching Carousel? Is this game of musical coaches just a symptom to a larger problem?
BigWarEagle said:
posted on November 30, 2006 6:11 PM — 67.34.195.148 — link — abuse?
Spurrier has too much talent coming back next year to leave now. Winning at SC just enhances his legend status. All he can do at Bama is tarnish his rep if he does not succeed. No matter what he does he will still stand in the Bear's shadow and his ego can not take that.
Maybe Spurrier should go to Bama - I was beginning to lose my intense hatred for him.
The boy sure can coach ball, though!Matt Davis said:
posted on November 30, 2006 6:18 PM — 71.12.96.148 — link — abuse?
I'm as die hard a BAMA fan as there is. I have watched every game and even attended the Iron Bowl in tuscaloosa. I was one of the ones who said give mike shula a chance in the beggining and i honestly beleive his firing was the right choice. If not this year than probably in the next two or three anyway. I personally do not want to see Steve Spurrier in Crimson. He is a great coach, but i don't think he is the man for this job. I would like to see someone a little younger. I want someone who is a proven coach, but i also want someone who is going to stay for a while and lets face it ST. SP. is'nt going to be coaching to much longer. As far as Bama fans who can't let go of the Bear, its not that we can't let go, we just have'nt had that much to cheer about lately. A few winning seasons between scandal, coaching changes, probation, and losing (to Auburn especially)is'nt a whole lot to be stoked about. So what do you do when your down in life and things are sort of blah, you look back on some of your favorite memories that make you feel better, and for bama fans it is the Bryant era.
Curmudgeon said:
posted on November 30, 2006 6:19 PM — 128.237.253.13 — link — abuse?
You have got to love the stupidity and arrogance of the Bama-faithful...their irrational, very vocal hopes for Spurrier will undoubtedly hamper their pursuit of any coach with any kind of an ego (i.e. all coaches named above)...to think Spurrier would move further from SC Alum Hootie Johnson and Augusta National is delirious.
Count on country roads to continue to take 'Coach Rod' home to the place he belongs; West Virginia! Petrino is a whore and remains the Tide's best bet...don't discount the Big Least's tenuous BCS status as a factor is his decision to leave The 'Ville for Tusca-whatever...
posted on November 30, 2006 6:25 PM — link — abuse?
I'm kinda surprised that no one has addressed the concern that Bama *fans* might be hurting the coaching search, as was my suggestion in the post. Was I just completely off base? Are all these "Crimson Visor" fans in the Houndstooth Mafia really an asset to the university?? Am I missing something, or are y'all completely oblivious to how your fans are representing the school nationwide?
Sean Akins said:
posted on November 30, 2006 6:39 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
YES! Shula made enormous mistakes this year, but in order to have success, one must learn from their mistakes. This can only happen if one is given a second chance. This man came to BAMA and inherited a big mess, probation still in effect, he had only 3 weeks to get his team ready for the season when he first came, still took a team to the Cotton Bowl and won, 10-2 record, was mentioned for SEC Coach of the Year Award, then coached a rookie QB this year, and coaching a young team for 2006. Yes, he lost all the majot games, but a few better decisions and BAMA could be 10-2 this year. The man doesn't have the spark to light someone's ass on fire, but the man does have character, integrity, and would never dis his players like Dennis Franchione did in the past. Mike Shula deserved one more year to prove that one can learn from past mistakes. The damn team is young. The AD Mal Moore is the one who needs to be fired. It will take a miracle to get someone good to Coach at BAMA now or to even get good recruits. Were screwed and Mal Moore is a complete Moron!
Sean Akins said:
posted on November 30, 2006 6:47 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
BAMA should just hire the Hoover High School coach, pay him 1 million a year, and be done with the search. That man would light some fire under my ass and he knows half or even more of the players there. He also knows how to win. How about we give a no name a chance who has taught most of these boys the game of football. This man has given grit and the mind to know how to win to most of these boys anyhow... THINK about this Mal Moore, you damn idiot...
posted on November 30, 2006 6:55 PM — link — abuse?
Spurrier told his team on Thursday (Nov 30) that they are "stuck with him".
Spurrier met with the team Thursday in a previously scheduled closed-door meeting. A source close to the team told News19's Matt Barrie that Spurrier told the players that he came to Columbia, "to do things that had never been done before, including winning an SEC title," and that he's "not leaving until that's done."
He reportedly jokingly told them, "some of you might not like me, but you're stuck with me."
Randy said:
posted on November 30, 2006 7:06 PM — 66.82.9.55 — link — abuse?
With over 40,000 votes cast across America and around the world, still 45% of those voting think that the Bama job is the most attractive.
Let Spurrier stay at Carolina. We DON't need him and some of us don't want him.
I would prefer a younger coach, not yet in his 60's.
Randy said:
posted on November 30, 2006 7:14 PM — 66.82.9.55 — link — abuse?
Good thought Sean Akins. Anyone who watched MTV this year had to see him. He is a very intense coach. Hoover High seldom loses and lot of his players have gone on to Bama including our starting quarterback who still has two more years to play.
I said on another thread that with the talent that Bama now has in place, a high school coach could win. How many current college coaches were first a high school coach?
If you took seriously all the comments that some of these haters are making, you would think that Alabama is going to have to give up football all together.
Big East Fan said:
posted on November 30, 2006 9:22 PM — 129.71.136.158 — link — abuse?
Our league is sooo soo bad...yet everyone wants to raid our coaches, I don't see Coach Rod or Petrino leaving the BE any time soon. Coach Rod said just last night that in 5-10 years he'd be interested in coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers after he wins a national title at WVU. But right now, nothing available could get him out of WV.
However, I consider Alabama a much more appealing job than Miami at this point. Although both have a history breaking Rules. Crimson Tide fans are passionate whether the team is winning or lossing...I like that attitude in College Football. Plus, the SEC is a premier conference...The ACC is like 11 Syracuse's and Clemson (The only solid yearly program right now).
Not for nothing but maybe Alabama should go for Frank Solich of Ohio U (formerly of Nebraska)...he's a solid coach and deserves another shot at the big time.
Shaun said:
posted on November 30, 2006 10:05 PM — 70.34.165.192 — link — abuse?
The Elephant Man says so we Keep Kines as the DC, somebody was dissin him earlier on the job he did this yr. I think he did more w/ less, with an undersized Dline last in the SEC in Sacks, Kines was the reason we were in EVERY game this yr. 05 #1 Scoring Defense in the nation.Only the most important defensive stat you can have. The New Head coach must be Satan....I mean Saban(National Title). He has balls and thats what it takes when you sell your soul to the Bama family. I can't expect him to stay long, However,he has coached in the SEC and knows how to play that style and get us to hopefully face the Best(Pete Carroll) 92' was a long time ago guys. Saban is the one guy that's won a title that even remotely fits this program.
Bleed Crimson said:
posted on November 30, 2006 11:04 PM — 74.230.26.243 — link — abuse?
well at the beginning before i heard any rumors of spurrier and saban i said we should go after: louisvilles head coach cuz he knows how to build depth and we could easily pay him more. The Colts offensive coordinator because with that offense and Joe Kines' defense wed be unstoppable. Also, John Gruden because hes slowly losing his rep in the NFL, hes a good coach, and things are turning south in Tampa Bay.
Kevin, i agree 100%, Alabama fans are putting waaaay too much stock in steve spurrier. sure itd be great if he came, but id like another person just as well. Really, bama fans just want a big-name guy that can really get our program back on top in a hurry.
I would hate to get rich rodriguez with the damned spread offense and a WR playin QB.
AW said:
posted on December 1, 2006 12:51 AM — 67.191.173.215 — link — abuse?
I just think it's funny how all you yahoos in Tuscaloosa think that UA is one of the most desirable and prestigious coaching jobs in all the galaxies. Get down to reality and hire an up-and-comer with some proven experience that'll stay a while.
It's not a good, desirable job. The culture, the environment, the football thinking ... it's all 30 years behind the times. Coaches want to coach - not change a culture into something it doesn't want to be.
Matt Davis said:
posted on December 1, 2006 1:36 AM — 71.12.96.148 — link — abuse?
I like what big east fan has to say. I'm not sure what frank solichs age is, but i think he would be a great hire. He did just take Ohio to the MAC Championship and later to there first bowl in 40 yrs. He was stellar at Nebraska, i'm not sure why they ever fired him in the first place. If he is interested in the job i don't see why he would'nt be a good fit. Yet again im not sure of his age.
The Mayor said:
posted on December 1, 2006 2:52 AM — 67.174.192.148 — link — abuse?
Between the curent coaching vacancies:
Alabama, Miami. NC State, and Arizona St...the best place to LIVE is Arizona State. I have spent time in all four areas and you can't beat ASU and Maricopa County.
1. All 4 major sports have a team here
2. 153+ Golf Courses
3. Dry Heat, no humidity to speak of...
4. 45 minutes to Las Vegas
5. 60 minutes to the Pacific Ocean
6. 2 Hours to Napa Valley
7. Jenna Jameson club, "Babes" on Scottsdale Rd.
6. Ambassador's Cigars on Shea
7. ... and most importantly Razz's Restaurant on Shea and Scottsdale.A coaches dream, Norm don't screw this up, come on back to the Pac 10.
Mark said:
posted on December 1, 2006 6:59 AM — 65.4.109.66 — link — abuse?
As a lifelong Gamecock fan (worked concessions there when I was ten years old), alumnus, and a three year resident of Birmingham (1971-74), I decided to take a look at the 'Bama websites to gauge the interest in Coach Spurrier. Thus, this post.
Carolina, as is painfully obvious, has been the home of football mediocrity, the Chicken Curse, etc.
One thing USC does have are fans that are as loyal as you will find anywhere.
Enter Steve Spurrier. I really didn't pay much attention to him when he was winning and winning and winning at Florida,
Since he has been in Columbia I have followed him closely. In addition to his coaching skills, his actions have shown him to be a man of his word. He has benched, suspended and flat out tossed players who have broken the rules that he and the University have set down. Did not matter if they were all Heisman candidates (which they generally were not, although some were outstanding athletes).
So, as attractive as the job in Tuscaloosa may be, I believe he is not moving anywhere soon. Money is certainly not an issue with him. Carolina is negotiating a new contract with him, but I believe this is a natural reaction to the respect he has gained here in the past two years, both for his coaching skills and and for his very honorable actions, as coach and as a member of the community. You don't really begin to know the man until the local media begins to report practically everything he does.
Roll Tide! Except when you play USC, of course.Randy said:
posted on December 1, 2006 8:34 AM — 66.82.9.84 — link — abuse?
AW, I think that you give us yahoos in Tuscaloosa way to much credit for being able to decide which coaching job is the most desirable.
ESPN was conducting a worldwide poll on coaching positions. Last time that I looked, out of 45,000 plus, less than 4,000 people from Alabama had voted and overwhelmingly 45% of ALL voters thought that the Alabama job would be the one to take.
My only fear is that Spurrier will come to Alabama. Unlike what a few people on this board are talking, WE DON'T WANT THAT SMART ASS.
He's already 61 and we don't want another Bowden on our hands.
When he is referred to as the “old ball coach” I think the emphasis is on old.
After the way that he poked fun at other SEC schools, namely Tennessee, Georgia and Auburn, I would think that none of them would want him within 400 miles of here.
I had rather go on losing than to look at Spurrier on the sidelines in his gay visor.
Some people on this forum don't seem to be happy unless they are posting gloom and doom messages about Alabama. Have your fun because no one stays down forever.
ACC_Fan said:
posted on December 1, 2006 11:35 AM — 168.82.56.100 — link — abuse?
I ordinarily wouldn't comment on an alabama blog but I feel bated into saying a couple things.
Firstly what people think is the best coaching job is totally irrelevant.
Miami is the worst job period. Unless you are winning (ALL) games they will treat you like crap there, all 8 of the fans will come to the game holding rude signs after you lose your first game in a season, you will then be fired.
Alabama is probably the second worst job. Mostly because of the fans and the AD. The size of the shoes that need filling are too big. 2 years of 3.3 mil might sound nice but after you are fired and run out of coaching with no legacy etc. Those factors need consideration.
NC State is next up as the second most desireable. Unless you are a UNC or WAKE fan if you know NC State fans you know they are generally polite, well behaved and have mostly realistic expectations for the team. It is acceptable to fire a coach who wins only three games and loses some seriously winnable games such as Southern Miss (Badly!). This is a place a decent ball coach can look like a hero for consistant 7+ win seasons.
Arizona State I would list as the most desirable. Maybe ESPN thinks they expect to knock off USC but I think these fans would be happy just winning 9-10 games a Season. With only USC to recruit against (For major programs in the far west) I think this will also be an easier school to recruit for. There are so few BCS schools out west with just the PAC-10. National recruiting is not as much of a threat as people let on. The PAC-10 is also the conference to win easy games in. With one powerhouse and maybe one other team competeing a year (UC berkley this year for instance, oregon last year) pulling down those wins should be easier.
To Big East Fan:
A. The Big East looks good only because someone had to fill the vaccum after we stole your ONLY decent teams. (I don't think it looks good, please note).B. Clemson?! do you watch the ACC? Note they look the same every year for four years plus!! They lost to WAKE, DUKE (Duke's last ACC victory), WAKE in the 3 seasons before this season. The win some big games and lose some small ones, nothing has changed. Watch BC, and VT (remember them?). You didn't even mention them perhaps because they jumped from the midmajors to play with the bigboys.
C. 11 Syracuses?! You didn't mention Wake Forest which beat both Syracuse and Uconn from your beloved Big East is... um a syracuse. VT which rolled over Cincinati, the only team to beat the potential Big East Champs Rutgers.
D. The Big East is 8 jokes, some are just funnier then others. I was watching the MAC championship last night and saw superior football to most big east play.
Now I admit the ACC looks like crap this year but I think some things should be ironed out next year, most issues will resolve themselves within 3 seasons.
FanoftheGame said:
posted on December 1, 2006 1:17 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
Its seems overly apparent that Bama fans have mixed emotions when it comes to Spurrier. Those who want him at Alabama seem to be focusing on his success at the college level and those who don't want him seem to be focusing on his personality and their general dislike for the kind of man they believe him to be. So I guess the real question is "what position is the AD going to try to fill?". Does Bama want a proven winner heading the program or do they want a guy that most people like regardless of his past success? I think most of us could care less about what type of personality a coach has, as long as he built a winning program and upheld the standards that the university has set before him. Most of the Longhorn fans I know (some former coaches and athletes at UT, could care less about Mack Brown, as long as he keeps winning and doesn't embarass the University. They may not be too fond of Mack the person or Mack the coach, but that all falls a distant second to the teams overall success. This is probably the case at most of the successful D-1 programs. There are Ohio State fans that could care less about Tressel, and U of M fans who don't care for Carr, and even South Carolina fans who son't like Spurrier, but all of these fans enjoy seeing their teams win under these guys. Again, I'm not sure what Bama is looking for in a coach or if that type of coach even exists. If you're looking for a winner and a good all-around person who is respected by his peers and fans alike?-Well, you just fired one!
Jeffro said:
posted on December 1, 2006 2:04 PM — 71.207.184.3 — link — abuse?
What's the latest on Spurrier to 'Bama? All the news and blogs are so quiet so far today. Did MM officially offer him the job? Today was supposed to be the day on which MM made his official offer to Spurrier. If so, anyone know anything? Someone please talk!
GA Boy said:
posted on December 1, 2006 11:23 PM — 66.110.197.20 — link — abuse?
Nobody has as much of a right to hate Spurrier as a Dawg fan. This guy made a mockery of our program in the 90s (with a lot of help from Goff and fatboy Jim Donnan.) I used to love it when he called Ray Goff "Ray Goof". I hope he stays at South Carolina so we an continue to beat his ass every year! GO DAWGS.
gator bait said:
posted on December 2, 2006 1:18 PM — 74.244.202.210 — link — abuse?
randy you are dead wrong about that 1991 fla ala game. the halftime score was 6 to 0. I don't remember the actual stats, but i bet that spurrier didn't throw the ball 10 times in the second half. he didn't have to. they were running it down their throat.
Chris said:
posted on December 3, 2006 1:05 AM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
Spurrier Gets Extension, Doubled Buyout Clause
Posted Dec 2nd 2006 4:01PM by Pete Holiday
South Carolina today approved a contract extension for Head Coach Steve Spurrier in the wake of a flood of rumors about the Alabama and Miami vacancies. There aren't many ways to remove your name from consideration more quickly than this, but the contract extension is essentially a gesture.
The Gamecocks added a paltry half-million dollars a year to Spurrier's annual contract and extended it to 2012, but they doubled the buyout to half a million per year left on the contract. This looks less like South Carolina is trying to make his salary competitive and more like they're trying to lock him into his commitment -- making it twice as hard for someone to buy him away.
If it were just about his compensation and not about his commitment, you wouldn't have see such a huge bump in the buyout clause. If the Ol' Ball Coach was trying to spin the Alabama and Miami rumors to his advantage, South Carolina did a great job of dampening that -- they made it twice as hard to hire him away without spending too much more of their own cash in the process.
TBaker said:
posted on December 3, 2006 1:46 AM — 71.55.65.51 — link — abuse?
Well the news down here in ACC country is that UNC paid a consultant $35,000 to find Butch Davis. that's a lot of money and it might just come from my taxes, UNC being a state school and all. Jesus, 35k to find an unemployed coach. I'm in the wrong line of work.
bama fan said:
posted on December 3, 2006 5:01 AM — 164.111.22.207 — link — abuse?
I am so tired of people saying we should not have fired Shula..how many more losing seasons were we supposed to put up with..as Stalling stated:winning is not everything at Alabama;BUT you better look like your trying!! Shula never had that look! I would say what ESPN could do but then you would not print my blog!
posted on December 7, 2006 10:59 PM — link — abuse?
Sources say that Rodriguez has been hired as the next Alabama head coach
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on November 30, 2006 2:49 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?They should do whatever any sensible company would do: give Shula a big fat raise, an all expense paid vacation for him and his family, and try and play it all off like it was all just a big misunderstand. Heck, they could even through in the obligatory "Christmas Turkey" early. They could claim that they were just tryin' to screw up Spurrier's recruiting visits or something to the benefit of Alabama. Heck, Shula might even buy it. I'm sure he understands, like the rest of us do, what kinda morons run every institution in America. No hard feelings. Back to work.
Tommie T