Honest and sincere question here.

[uahitchguy]

I would like to know why people and Coach Gottfried keep hanging on to "well he made it to the Elite 8"? That was five years ago and it only has happened once. To be honest, that team just got lucky in many ways to get there too. And yes, I was there to see every minute of each game played throughout the tournament. (I used to be in the pep band, so I've seen almost every single home game and I've been to every tournament game that Mark Gottfried has taken a team to.) We didn't have the best team that year. I think we had a team, thankfully led by a clutch Antoine Pettway, that seemed to have won in-spite of our coach/coaching at times. It was also a great thing that we got the bracket and the matchups that we got.

LSU got rid of Brady two(?) years after taking his team to the Final Four, because he didn't really do anything outside of that year. We fire football coaches here for equivalent records in only four/five years instead of ten. Even Mike Dubose won the SEC championship, but we didn't keep him just because he won that. I understand that there was more involved in that decision to fire him, but at the same time his team did not improve after that year.

I think that too many people just have the wrong mentality about sports other than football. I'm a student and Alumnus and I'm tired of Alabama being just mediocre at best in most sports other than football. I really believe that it comes down to the fans. We don't go out and support anything really other than football. The fans want to sit around and complain about what's not being done and what's not right with sports programs, but we don't support them. I even go to Women's basketball games as painful as that could be at times.


I am just wondering. I have a lot more that I want to type, but I don't want it to get out of hand or turn into a bashing the coach thread and it get deleted. I never really post on here and I hope this thread doesn't turn into something that it shouldn't. A moderator's comments would be welcomed too.

 

[rolltideface]

Are you saying that CMG has been able to keep his job this long because nobody really cares about basketball? There may be some validity to that but I think the heat's been turned up on him this year. He feels it, I'm sure. He has done some good things for us in his 10 years, things that Hobbs certainly couldn't do. His NCAA tourney record would be quite dismal if it weren't for the ELite Eight run but you can't discount it or chalk up to luck. Most teams have to hit a buzzer beater or two along the way. I personally think that he'll get another year, I'm not saying that I think he should get another year, but I think he will.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I'll go further and say that I know he will. As I've said before, only a total collapse, with multiple blowouts will keep that from happening. I'm afraid all these frustration threads just raise the average systolic BP...

 

[Alasippi]

I would like to know why people and Coach Gottfried keep hanging on to "well he made it to the Elite 8"? That was five years ago and it only has happened once. To be honest, that team just got lucky in many ways to get there too. And yes, I was there to see every minute of each game played throughout the tournament. (I used to be in the pep band, so I've seen almost every single home game and I've been to every tournament game that Mark Gottfried has taken a team to.) We didn't have the best team that year. I think we had a team, thankfully led by a clutch Antoine Pettway, that seemed to have won in-spite of our coach/coaching at times. It was also a great thing that we got the bracket and the matchups that we got.

LSU got rid of Brady two(?) years after taking his team to the Final Four, because he didn't really do anything outside of that year. We fire football coaches here for equivalent records in only four/five years instead of ten. Even Mike Dubose won the SEC championship, but we didn't keep him just because he won that. I understand that there was more involved in that decision to fire him, but at the same time his team did not improve after that year.

I think that too many people just have the wrong mentality about sports other than football. I'm a student and Alumnus and I'm tired of Alabama being just mediocre at best in most sports other than football. I really believe that it comes down to the fans. We don't go out and support anything really other than football. The fans want to sit around and complain about what's not being done and what's not right with sports programs, but we don't support them. I even go to Women's basketball games as painful as that could be at times.


I am just wondering. I have a lot more that I want to type, but I don't want it to get out of hand or turn into a bashing the coach thread and it get deleted. I never really post on here and I hope this thread doesn't turn into something that it shouldn't. A moderator's comments would be welcomed too.

The Elite 8 team was an incredibly gifted basketball team talent wise. They deserved to be there.
I think our upset win over Stanford, the number one ranked team, was not only a great effort by our players but Gottfried's best coaching performance by far.
That was as good as I've ever seen an Alabama basketball team play.
But lately the talent mix isn't sound and the intensity level just isn't there.
This team reminds me of Shula's last football team. They get to the end of the game and start expecting to lose rather than finding ways to win.
I think Gottfried will get another year as well. There's three outstanding freshmen coming in, plus we get Steele back. If Hendrix stays, next year could be a good one. If he leaves then we're up a particular type of creek without a paddle.
As far as fan support, I agree that there should be more fans at every game. But it's not going to happen until a superior product is on the court.


sippi

 

[DTYDE]

I'll go further and say that I know he will. As I've said before, only a total collapse, with multiple blowouts will keep that from happening. I'm afraid all these frustration threads just raise the average systolic BP...

It's sad that it would take a "total collapse, with multiple blowouts" for us to find another coach. I guess Mal Moore and the rest of the fans that agree with keeping CMG strive on mediocrity.

That's what we will be for the rest of Gottfried's tenure, reguardless of the recruiting classes that we bring in.

It's difficult to watch this season. I hate seeing us go down game after game. :mad2:

I guess we will go through this again next year only to be having these same conversations. It's a matter of time....Question is, how long will we scare recruits off and lose games before we make the change?

Time will tell...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

It's a hard explanation, but there are two factors involved. One is obviously the buyout expense. The other is that the three centers of power, AD, UAPr, and BOT are not nearly so sophisticated about BB as FB. Mark has been able to plead his case that he's had rotten injury luck (I know, I know), and that he deserves another year to put things right. By no means do all the parties with power buy this, but enough do at this point to stretch another year. The only remedy for the situation would be, as I've noted, total embarrassment for the rest of the season. "Respectable losses" like last night don't help...

 

[ReturnToGlory]

I just hope they don't make the mistake of giving him a contract extension IF Ron Steele saves the day next year and we have a good season. We'll be right back to where we are today in 2 years if we don't develop players, particularly a point guard.

 

[BamaHoHo]

I just hope they don't make the mistake of giving him a contract extension IF Ron Steele saves the day next year and we have a good season. We'll be right back to where we are today in 2 years if we don't develop players, particularly a point guard.

Or if they do, at least don't add anything to the buy out

 

[lorange]

I just hope they don't make the mistake of giving him a contract extension IF Ron Steele saves the day next year and we have a good season. We'll be right back to where we are today in 2 years if we don't develop players, particularly a point guard.

I think Mal needs to double his salary and give him a 5 year extension before he fires him. That's our MO.

 

[CE83]

Think of what the right person in here could do. It is worth the buyout and would be a wise investment.

 

[lafella]

I also haven't gotten my feathers in a ruffle this year because I know there's no sense in it. I'm not sure what will happen next year but sheesh there will be some talent on that team. I'm almost sad to see it come.

Will the team live up to it's potential is of course my biggest worry.

I just know that the season is nearly over and we shouldn't be in this position, and I just don't see how we win more than 2.. maybe 3 out of the last 5 before the Tournament begins.

As far as the fan support this is football country so no there's not going to be the support for other sports that football garners still there is plenty of support for Basketball and Baseball. Could it be better sure it could ( The Joe needs some loving though, still our home attendance is always right up there with the best in the nation.)

griping and grumbling will always occur in whatever sport people follow especially if their hopes are crushed a few years in a row. Gonna happen no matter what actually. Even when things are looking up and the coach is very highly regarded (see the booing incident during last football season on the field goal call).

I'll agree though, there will never be as much heat on the HC of other sports as there is on the Football HC.

 

[BocaLance]

I would like to know why people and Coach Gottfried keep hanging on to "well he made it to the Elite 8"? That was five years ago and it only has happened once. To be honest, that team just got lucky in many ways to get there too. And yes, I was there to see every minute of each game played throughout the tournament. (I used to be in the pep band, so I've seen almost every single home game and I've been to every tournament game that Mark Gottfried has taken a team to.) We didn't have the best team that year. I think we had a team, thankfully led by a clutch Antoine Pettway, that seemed to have won in-spite of our coach/coaching at times. It was also a great thing that we got the bracket and the matchups that we got.

LSU got rid of Brady two(?) years after taking his team to the Final Four, because he didn't really do anything outside of that year. We fire football coaches here for equivalent records in only four/five years instead of ten. Even Mike Dubose won the SEC championship, but we didn't keep him just because he won that. I understand that there was more involved in that decision to fire him, but at the same time his team did not improve after that year.

I think that too many people just have the wrong mentality about sports other than football. I'm a student and Alumnus and I'm tired of Alabama being just mediocre at best in most sports other than football. I really believe that it comes down to the fans. We don't go out and support anything really other than football. The fans want to sit around and complain about what's not being done and what's not right with sports programs, but we don't support them. I even go to Women's basketball games as painful as that could be at times.


I am just wondering. I have a lot more that I want to type, but I don't want it to get out of hand or turn into a bashing the coach thread and it get deleted. I never really post on here and I hope this thread doesn't turn into something that it shouldn't. A moderator's comments would be welcomed too.

Oh, I don't know ... I don't read or hear that argument being thrown around much anymore. A lot of people don't recall that "talented" Bama team had a 20-13 season (8-8 in the conference) that year and went on a Cinderella-type run in the tourney, sneaking up on teams like Stanford (sorta like UW-Milwaukee and Kent State did to us in recent years.) :cool2:

 

[Vinny]

I like CMG and I believe he will be back next season. Wouldn't it be neat if Bama could with the SEC Tournament! That would make for an interesting event.

 

[DTYDE]

I like CMG and I believe he will be back next season. Wouldn't it be neat if Bama could with the SEC Tournament! That would make for an interesting event.

Sure...but it wont happen. Dont bet your money on it...

If anyone wants to bet that Bama WONT be out on Thursday, I'm your guy just PM me. Bet!

 

[rolltideas]

The fact is the primary players that could bounce CMG with the stroke of a pen on their checkbook simply don't feel like paying him 3 million for doing nothing. They also were the principle players in getting him his recent contract extension.

I have been arguing that they are currently paying him a mil. for doing nothing. If they fire him they have to pay him that and another coach probably more than that.

That would essentially be investing 2 million dollars (probably more) in the head coach position in BB at AL. I just don't see that kind of passion in this sport. Never had. Until the PTB see BB as a worthwhile investment BB fans are left in the lurch.

 

[Mongo4Bama]

So he is back for next season then what criteria will there be for expectations.

A finish in top 4-5 in SEC no less than Sweet sixteen in NCAA or perhaps better.

 

[rolltideas]

So he is back for next season then what criteria will there be for expectations.

A finish in top 4-5 in SEC no less than Sweet sixteen in NCAA or perhaps better.

If (big IF) RH comes back, AL's core will consist of Alonzo Gee, RS, and RH. That is more than enough talent to get back to the big dance. That will insure another year of CMG. The problem will be...the subsequent teams. CMG has shown no skill at player development. After 10 years that won't change. The question remains "Do you want to get off the sinking ship now or wait until you are bobbing in the water?"

It appears the PTB are willing to wear life vests.

 

[Hoot30]

The question remains "Do you want to get off the sinking ship now or wait until you are bobbing in the water?"

It appears the PTB are willing to wear life vests.

I wonder if there would be a parallel to the women's basketball program. Remember the women's program has gone further than the men. I believe it was '94 when the women's team went to the final four. I'm not saying a similar dive would occur, but I just wonder.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Alex Steele will be on the team along with his brother next year. The Steeles are talented enough to make any coach look like a genius. I still hope that CMG goes back to basics in next year's camps. A team with this much talent can go a long, long way if they play fundamentally sound basketball.

 

[10Bama54]

Up until today, I was still for Coach Gottfried. But that was a dismal performance at Auburn. Nothing fell right today. They just didn't look very well coached.

The free throw failures. How does a team who used to shoot Free Throws so well turn out so horrible in that area? I just don't understand. I feel bad for the team. At the beginning of the year, I just thought it was injury luck, but I just don't know anymore.

:conf2: