Posted on 11/27/2006 6:26:55 AM PST by MplsSteve
Alabama fired coach Mike Shula less than a year after the Crimson Tide finished a 10-2 season, according to a newspaper report.
Shula told his assistant coaches late Sunday night that Alabama athletic director Mal Moore had dismissed him, The Tuscaloosa News reported on its Web site. An official announcement is expected Monday.
Reached at home, Moore declined comment Monday morning but said he would hold a news conference later in the day.
The Crimson Tide went 6-6 this season, finishing the season with three straight losses.
Shula, a former Alabama quarterback, was winless in four tries against Auburn, his team's biggest rival. The Tigers beat the Crimson Tide 22-15 on Nov. 18, leaving Shula to answer questions about his job security.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
"Russell would be stupid to declare this year."
What if Jimbo Fisher left after the season?
-- Bama board at Scout.com is saying that Rodriguez has agreed to contract, but wants to wait until after WVU plays Rutgers game Saturday.
-- Tide Pride aircraft flew to WV yesterday (Paul Bryant Jr. aircraft)
-- WVU blogs/forums are in full mourning mode this morning. Lot of people saying "We just can't match what Bama offered" "players are saying it is a done deal' "Friend on BOT says Coach Rod is gone" etc etc
-- Morning radio in Morgantown is discussing nothing but Rodriguez leaving rumors
-- Sports radio 740 in Montgomery says they think there is truth to the rumors according to thier "Sources".
SO, there you have it -- lots of rumors etc etc -- Most people seem to think if it is true it will leak out to the major sports press some time today.
Morning ping - see above -- lots of talk centering on WVU coach Rich Rodriguez this morning. Don't know if it is wishful thinking, smoke screen, or what -- but it is not just one rumor, it is widespread.
But, the university plane was in WV last week (at whatever that exclusive resort is there).
"...lots of talk centering on WVU coach Rich Rodriguez this morning."
The funny thing is, there are people all over the Auburn boards who have bammer friends who have "sources" who "swear" it's Saban....and Spurrier....and Rodriguez. Now, Jimmy Sexton failed to show up for a radio interview so that means it's definately Saban....LOL! Nobody knows anything...
Looks like it also went to Greenbrier on the 21st on a quick turnaround -- maybe drop someone off on Tuesday, then pick them up on Sunday.
JUst to keep speculation alive -- Thanksgiving trip for someone? Or trip to negotiate with Rodriguez?
I can't believe anyone is still talking Saban - he came out Yesterday and flat out said NO. Did not parse the words, said "I am not interested in the job at all" or something to that effect.
Spurrier was a little more ambiguous, but not much "I have no intention of leaving South Carolina"
The "report" is that the trip to Greenbriar (thanks for the name as I could not remember it) was a "vacation". My thought is that if they don't announce by friday then it's Rodriguez or Johnson as they both have games on Saturday.
Miami won't offer him the job. They want a winner.
LSU convinced me Friday that they are the best team in the SEC at this point. Not that it matters. They could go tot to toe with any team out there including the OSU.
Rich Rodriguez makes a lot of sense for the Alabama job.
He is a good coach whose defensive scheme gave Georgia fits during the Sugar Bowl and I think it would work well in the SEC.
They do seem to be playing like it.
Kinda like how Ohio State closed out the year last year.
I see a lot of similarities between the teams.
Defensive schemes or offensive? UGA lost that game 38-35.
At this point Russell would be no better than a third rounder in the NFL draft.
well both, but defensive first.
Georgia took 3 quarters to adjust to it and that was with Big East players at West Virginia...
Think of what he could do with talent that Alabama can pull....
Actually, both -- in the first half. Georgia was down 35-7 or something at halftime. Made adjustments and was able to come back in the second half, but never did stop the offense at all.
I know....that's the main reason I posted it.
I've never seen CFN go off on something like this like that.
I don't think most of the folks on these message boards know squat about who Mal Moore is huntin'. It's all speculation. I figure that they'll make an announcement within the week, possibly tomorrow. There's no need to be hasty except that Bama fans are showing themselves to be impatient nuts. lol
UGA went down 28-0 in the 1st half (off 3 turnovers) but cut it to 31-21 at the half (held them to 7 points in the 2nd half). Teams combined for over 1,000 yards in offense and 54 first downs. Nobody was playing any kind of defense.
It would be interesting to see if he could keep up that kind of offense against SEC Defensive Coordinators who are the best in college football.
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