Posted on 05/05/2003 9:19:34 PM PDT by American Blood
TUSCALOOSA - May 5 - Alabama's first stop on the search for a football coach was to Miami Dolphins assistant coach Mike Shula, a former Crimson Tide quarterback. Shula, 37, has emerged as a top candidate to replace fired coach Mike Price. He met Sunday with Alabama athletic director Mal Moore and University President Robert Witt in Miami, according to newspaper reports. Shula has never been a head coach. Moore said Monday head coaching experience wasn't mandatory for the hire as it was in his previous search five months ago when Dennis Franchione left Alabama for Texas A&M.
"I'm looking for who I think is the best for this situation and who could come in with this very awkward time frame," he said.
As a civil rights leader urged Alabama to become the first Southeastern Conference school to hire a black as head football coach, Moore flew to Orlando for a meeting of SEC athletic directors. Then he and Witt were bound for more interviews with little time to waste four months before the season.
"The players deserve a quick decision, and I want to deliver," Moore said before leaving. He said he had four candidates in mind for what could be a crucial hire for a program that is on NCAA probation and has been changing coaches about as frequently as it used to win national championships under Bear Bryant. Moore wouldn't disclose any names or confirm the interview with Shula.
After hiring two "outsiders" for the job -- TCU's Franchione and Washington State's Price -- Moore appears to be mostly focusing on candidates with connections to Bryant and the once mighty program this time, including NFL assistants Shula, Sylvester Croom of Green Bay and Richard Williamson of the Carolina Panthers. Former Jacksonville Jaguars and Boston College coach Tom Coughlin and Oklahoma State's Les Miles also are considered potential candidates. Coughlin said Monday he had not been contacted by any representatives from Alabama.
"There's nothing going on," Coughlin said. Miles reportedly was a candidate for the job last year before Alabama hired Price. But he signed a long-term contract extension at Oklahoma State in December 2002 and said he was never contacted about the Alabama opening.
Witt fired Price on Saturday after the 57-year-old coach, already warned about his behavior, spent hundreds of dollars at a Pensacola, Fla., topless bar. A woman reportedly ordered about $1,000 in food from room service sent to his hotel room the following morning. Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said Moore had called seeking permission to meet with Shula, who expressed interest in the Alabama job. "I have to wait and hear more about what it might be,"
Shula, a 15-year NFL assistant, told The Miami Herald on Sunday. He did not return calls Monday from The Associated Press. Shula and Wannstedt both indicated they wouldn't have anything more to say about Shula's candidacy at Alabama, Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said Monday.
A civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, urged Alabama to consider hiring a black coach, such as Croom. The SEC has never had a black head football coach. "The crisis at the University of Alabama creates an opportunity for them to consider a qualified African-American football coach," Jackson, who didn't suggest any specific candidates, told The Associated Press Monday. Williamson, who played and coached under Bryant, was a finalist for the job when Gene Stallings was hired in 1990.
Shula, the youngest son of former NFL coaching great Don Shula, was the Tide's starting quarterback from 1984 to 1986, twice earning All-Southeastern Conference honors. Croom, a Tuscaloosa native, coached at Alabama from 1977-86 but has been in the NFL ever since. He is currently the Packers' running backs coach. He started at center for Bear Bryant in 1973 and 1974, helping the Tide to a 22-2 record. Croom did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press on Monday, but Packers coach Mike Sherman made a pitch for him Sunday.
"There probably isn't a better prospect in all of football, college or pros for that job than Sylvester Croom," Sherman said. "I'd hate to lose him because he's such a quality person and coach. There's no better candidate." Tide defensive coordinator Joe Kines has also expressed interest in the top job. Alabama offensive coordinator Eric Price and quarterbacks coach Aaron Price, sons of the fired head coach, both have told Moore they plan to leave, Moore said. That could make it more urgent to hire a coach with an offensive background.
What the hell does this man want? Sylvester Croom of the Packers is a serious candidate for the job. It looks like Shula may get it, but Sly got serious consideration, and every fan I've talked to would love either one of them. Jesse Jackson is an idiot.
I guess once being the head coach of the awesome Cincinnati Bengals isn't worth mentioning.
Like Hillary, he is just trying to jump ahead of some parade, any parade. If Croom is hired Jackson can gloat as if he had something to do with it. If Croom is passed over Jackson can snipe. Either way he comes out a racist winner.
(Snicker)...That's what got them into trouble. Insider Mike DuBose brought the NCAA hammer down on Franchione and the Tied, so Fran left after losing to hated rival Auburn in T-town. Meanwhile, in the same school system, you have another team, young, slowly improving, no scandals...Go Blazers!!
Sylvester Croom
Running Backs
NFL Exp: 17th Season
NFL Exp: 3rd Season
(2002 Bio)
Now in his second year coaching the Packers' running backs, Sylvester Croom embarks upon his 16th season in the NFL coaching ranks.
The possessor of extensive offensive experience, Croom has spent his entire 15 previous NFL seasons on the offensive side of the ball, serving either as a running backs coach or offensive coordinator.
Croom's reputation as a successful teacher was furthered by the outstanding performance of his lead pupil in Green Bay during the 2001 campaign, Ahman Green posting a second-consecutive 1,000-yard season and leading the Packers in receptions for the second straight year as well. Green finished second in the NFC in both rushing yards (1,387) and total yards from scrimmage (1,981) - both career highs - and was named the team's Most Valuable Player, earning a slew of postseason honors, including a trip to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press.
Named to his position by Packers General Manager/Head Coach Mike Sherman on January 30, 2001, Croom came to Green Bay after four seasons as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions (1997-2000) and tenures with three other NFL teams.
Croom achieved noted success during his four years at the helm of the Lions' offense, with his 1997 troops ranking second in the NFL, running back Barry Sanders becoming the third person in league history to crack the 2,000-yard barrier, rushing for 2,053 yards, and both Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton posting more than 1,000 yards receiving. In 1999, Morton and Germaine Crowell combined for 161 receptions and 2,467 yards. Tight end David Sloan also performed well in '99, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl on the strength of 47 receptions for 591 yards, the best production from a Lions tight end in 20 years.
Prior to his tenure with the Lions, the 47-year-old Croom tutored running backs for five seasons with the San Diego Chargers (1992-96). In 1994, under Croom's guidance, second-year back Natrone Means set team records with 1,350 yards rushing and a string of five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. It was in San Diego where Croom first joined the staff of Bobby Ross, whom he followed to the Lions in 1997 as offensive coordinator.
Croom had broken into the NFL as running backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987, coaching there for four seasons before spending one year (1991) in the same role with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native launched his profession in his home state, coaching at his alma mater, the University of Alabama, for 10 seasons (1977-86). Croom oversaw both inside (1977-81, 1984-86) and outside linebackers (1982-83) during his tenure with the Crimson Tide and enjoyed back-to-back national championship seasons in 1978-79. In addition, Alabama led the Southeastern Conference in total defense during the 1979-80 seasons.
Croom enjoyed a measure of teaching success with the Tide, with four of his players developing into National Football League first-round draft picks: E.J. Junior (1981), Mike Pitts (1983), Cornelius Bennett (1987) and the late Derrick Thomas (1989).
Croom first enjoyed achievement at Alabama as a player under Bear Bryant, starting two years at center (1973-74) and helping the Tide to a 22-2 record. Along the way, Alabama captured three straight SEC titles and the national championship in 1973. As a senior, Croom was named All-SEC and a Kodak All-American, in addition to earning the 'Jacobs Award' as the best offensive lineman in the conference. Before settling at center, Croom had stints as a linebacker, tight end and tackle. At Alabama, he earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in biology in 1975 as well as a master's degree in educational administration in 1977.
Croom signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 1975, playing one NFL season before going back to Tuscaloosa to gain his first experience with the Alabama staff as a graduate assistant in 1976, helping to coach the centers.
Born September 25, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sylvester Croom, Jr., starred at Tuscaloosa high school as a linebacker and tight end. 'Sly' and his wife, Jeri, live in Green Bay. The couple has a grown daughter, Jennifer.
Coaching Background:
| Year | College/Pro Team | Position Coached |
| 1976 | Univ. of Alabama | Graduate Assistant |
| 1977-86 | Univ. of Alabama | Linebackers |
| 1987-90 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Running Backs |
| 1991 | Indianapolis Colts | Running Backs |
| 1992-96 | San Diego Chargers | Running Backs |
| 1997-2000 | Detroit Lions | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2001-03 | Green Bay Packers | Running Backs |
This is ridiculous. What does Rev. JJ know about football? Why would anyone even listen to that extortionist and adulterer? Rev. JJ has no credibility. He is just a cowardly bully. And the only way to deal with bullies is not to give in to htem.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.