I'm thinking that Shula is pretty confident in his coaching abilities...

[Selma-Bama-Fan]

... as well as his ability to develope players. As I look at the list of our committments, I notice one thing; size and speed. I'm guessing if you have those two and a good coach the rest will work itself out.

Now I havent seen any of these players play, just has many of you havent. I do notice that Shula seems to be going after a different type of player than other schools. My theory to this is stated above. I think the theory makes sense, though I'm not saying this theory is the truth.

Which would be easier to do in your mind though? Have a talented CB that is 5'8 and try to teach him to play tall? or have a 6'2 CB with speed and try to teach him technique? It seems all of our OL run under a 5.0 in the 40, which is fast for big men. Which is easier? To teach a big, slow, fat *you know what* lineman to play athletic, while wondering if he will make weight? or to put size on a small, athletic OL? The only position where it seems we are recruiting BIG bodies is DT, which makes perfect sense.

So basically he is basing his recruiting on size/speed rather than "potential" (again this is only my theory). If a CB or WR is under 6'... if a OL is over weight... if a LB is too slow....then he wont waste his time. Ofcourse there are exceptions to the rules, this is just a general observation.


Now that I have explained my theory, will it work? Well, judging from the improvements/performances of Ramzee Robinson, Keith Brown, D.J. Hall, Wallace Gilberry, Simeon Castille, Antoine Caldwell (Before his injury), Roman Harper (HUGE improvement from last year), and Matt Caddell (among others); I think this method of recruiting will work out just fine.

 

[wisten]

It definately looks interesting. I cannot help but feel that I am watching something that is being built from the ground up in a slow, methodical manner. Having said that, I am encouraged.

Once again, next season I will be preaching P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E, after that, look for all the doors to be blown wide open as the Tide sweeps the SEC like a storm surge.

 

[RollTide2432]

Good point, he does recruit a certain kind of player. He likes height and speed it appears.

 

[Big tide fan forever]

I don't know about you guys but I can't wait until next season or the Bowl game for that matter. I have a great feelling that Shula will be our coach for a long long time.

 

[Bamafanman]

... as well as his ability to develope players. As I look at the list of our committments, I notice one thing; size and speed. I'm guessing if you have those two and a good coach the rest will work itself out.

Now I havent seen any of these players play, just has many of you havent. I do notice that Shula seems to be going after a different type of player than other schools. My theory to this is stated above. I think the theory makes sense, though I'm not saying this theory is the truth.

Which would be easier to do in your mind though? Have a talented CB that is 5'8 and try to teach him to play tall? or have a 6'2 CB with speed and try to teach him technique? It seems all of our OL run under a 5.0 in the 40, which is fast for big men. Which is easier? To teach a big, slow, fat *you know what* lineman to play athletic, while wondering if he will make weight? or to put size on a small, athletic OL? The only position where it seems we are recruiting BIG bodies is DT, which makes perfect sense.

So basically he is basing his recruiting on size/speed rather than "potential" (again this is only my theory). If a CB or WR is under 6'... if a OL is over weight... if a LB is too slow....then he wont waste his time. Ofcourse there are exceptions to the rules, this is just a general observation.


Now that I have explained my theory, will it work? Well, judging from the improvements/performances of Ramzee Robinson, Keith Brown, D.J. Hall, Wallace Gilberry, Simeon Castille, Antoine Caldwell (Before his injury), Roman Harper (HUGE improvement from last year), and Matt Caddell (among others); I think this method of recruiting will work out just fine.

Cadell was a 4 star with 5.9(high potential) but yeah the rest looked to good examples.

 

[Crimsonboxer]

I think that

CMS is recruiting the type players that he wants for his system.Some folks seem to not be happy (unless they have 5 stars by there names), but I have been suprised by the type players that he recruited last year and how they have been able to come onto the field and play. If he continues to do this, then he bama will be back in the hunt for the SEC titile quicker than most would have guessed.

 

[rtrcam]

Many people will laugh at me when I make the following statement:

With Coach Shula we will see the closest possible thing to a return of the Coach Bryant years. Gene Stallings was close, but Coach Shula will stay longer and win more.

Ok, commence the laughter. In 10 years, I'll be proven right or wrong. If, at any time, Coach Shula doesn't work out to be the coach some of us thought and all of us hope he will be, I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong.

I'm like wisten; its like we're watching something special come together at the Capstone. It has nothing to do with "stars" or recruiting rankings. But, it has everything to do with the players Alabama is recruiting, and what they're saying about our program and our coaches. It has everything to do with the way this team has played this year; the way they handle themselves on and off the field.

Just to give you a clue as to what I'm getting at with all this - when did any player that scored a TD this year do anything other than toss the ball to the ref?

 

[BamaSkins]

rtr...I hope Coach Shula is very successful and coaches our team until I'm dead and gone, BUT to put him in the same class with Coach Bryant and Coach Stallings is quite a s t r e t c h...

Coach Bryant averaged 8.9 wins per year his first 10 years at Bama...and had 3 National Championships ('61,'64,'65)...should have had a 4th in 1966...

Coach Stallings averaged 10.1 wins per year in his 7 years at the helm...with 1 NC in '93...

As I said, I hope Coach Shula wins here for the remainder of my life, but he
has quite a way to go to be listed with these two Alabama coaching legends.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

Glad he is confident

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Don't get me wrong y'all... I don't mean to be a buzz killer.

But since Gene Stallings retired, Alabama is something like 12-25 against ranked opponents, and I believe 8-24 against higher ranked opponents. We've gone 15-17 in the SEC since DuBose was fired.

When we start to accept Ole Miss-like records, we start to be like Ole Miss. I am firmly behind Coach Shula, and I strongly believe that there should be no critical assessment of the program's performance until at least 2008.

That said, we have got to start beating teams ranked in the Top 25 on a regular basis, and finishing high enough in the SEC to qualify for the Capital One and Cotton Bowls. I don't expect to be at that level until 2006, but I do expect to be there.

I as am optimistic as anyone out there. I'm just about the sunniest sunshine pumper as you'll run into. But I'm also a realist. We have a long way to go.

 

[brookwood]

agreed on the "stretch" of the comparison, BUT. . .

Again, I look at the situation CMS came into at Bama. If I were in the position of a BOT or President at Bama, I'd be willing to give him a lot of room and enough time to get through the probation period and continue getting HIS recruits in place. Then, see how he handles their talents. I think CMS has a good, good chance of becoming one of Bama's greatest coaches. I really believe that. I like what he's doing in the recruiting arena right now. Seems like he's getting some good, quality men at the Capstone. I still say that this past season would have had a whole different win/loss and bowl picture had we not been stifled by injuries.

And I'd really like to see the whole coaching staff stay intact one more year, at least, because I think our staff is really good. The whole program is becoming more stable now. I just don't want to see anything shake that up at this point in time.

It's just fun for me to see a real positive sign of this team being back on the rise again. This whole group of men seem like good, quality individuals, as well as players. And we all know this program needs people like that on our team and on our coaching staff. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[luvthat_TIDE]

Shula

I believe one day there may come a time that many people in the Bama Nation will be praying that Coach Shula stays at the Capstone. He can do both, recruit and coach; and NFL may knock on his door one day. I too hope he stays around until retirement age, I am that confident in him. RTR.

 

[Mussofan22]

I think we'll see some brilliant football return to the University of Alabama beginning next year, although great football should be back in 2006 and 2007. Based on recruiting and the return of Brodie in 2005, I believe this team (especially Croyle) will have even more to prove. IF Brodie stays healthy, and that's a big IF, we will be a very good team. If John Parker Wilson is everything I expect, we should have little or no concern about our backup QB. I believe one of the biggest mistakes Coach Shula made this year was greyshirting Wilson. But hindsight is 20/20 and nobody would have ever predicted our QB situation unfolding the way it did. IMHO, Mike Shula has done an outstanding job at the helm and will be with us a very long time if he so chooses. ROLL TIDE!!!

 

[Texas Tider]

I also think Coach Shula is a great coach and I think he will be with us for a long time and will do great things for our team.

I don't always agree with what he does and I have occasionaly questioned his play-calling (running Kenneth Darby up the middle time after time when it is getting us nowhere), but that's when I have to step back and understand he's the Coach and he knows way more than I do about what plays to call in certain situations, and definitely knows more about the team than I do.

But I must be pretty out of the loop here. Today is the first I've ever heard of John Parker Wilson. Can someone please give me some information about him? What year is he, where is he from, etc? Thank you very much! (I checked the other threads, but couldn't find anything about him. Couldn't find anything on Rolltide.com either).

 

[Boclive]

Six or seven wins this year is better than 4 wins last year.
Seven or eight wins next year will be better than this year.
Eight or nine wins in '06 will be better than next year.

Some of the '07 seniors were impressive this year. Looking forward to '07. We may not get the votes in '07, but we'll get the wins.

In '06 and '07, BAMA should meet UF in Atlanta.

Roll Tide! Exterminate the Gophers!

 

[bayoutider]

But I must be pretty out of the loop here. Today is the first I've ever heard of John Parker Wilson. Can someone please give me some information about him? What year is he, where is he from, etc? Thank you very much! (I checked the other threads, but couldn't find anything about him. Couldn't find anything on Rolltide.com either).

John Parker Wilson - 6-1, 180, 4.7. Hoover HS

Led Hoover to back to back 2002 & 2003 6A championship. Passed for state record 3,821 yards as a senior with 40 TDs, only 10 int. in 467 passes. His completion average was 67%.

Wilson is also a baseball standout. JPW grayshirted and is currently able to practice with the team but not travel to the bowl game as a member of the team.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

OK I got to ask the sunshine pumpers. Exactly what makes you think that Shula is a great coach? What win can you point to that proves that? What great piece of strategy can you point to?

 

[rtrcam]

OK I got to ask the sunshine pumpers. Exactly what makes you think that Shula is a great coach? What win can you point to that proves that? What great piece of strategy can you point to?

All right, here goes. First, realize I hate moral victories. But sit back and take a look at what this University has been through. I'm not going to go through it all again, but to say that Alabama football was nearly dead when Coach Shula took over would be an understatement.

In all honesty, Alabama shouldn't have been on the same field as Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn the last couple of years. Yet, they very nearly beat those teams. I mean, a play here or there, and Alabama has beaten teams that should be far superior in talent, depth, and coaching. Now, some of that has to do with Coach Shula, doesn't it?

Another thing is the recruiting. The kinds of athletes that Alabama is recruiting. What these recruits are saying about Coach Shula. What their parents and coaches are saying about Coach Shula. Its going to take time, but given that time, Coach Shula will turn Alabama around. And when that happens, don't you think that Alabama can continue to win on a consistent basis? When things are stable at Alabama, they will win.

Lastly, please note that I said "the closest thing possible" to the Coach Bryant years. What does that mean? Averaging 10 wins a year, competing for the SEC championship every year and winning or playing for the National Championship every 4 or 5 years. Oklahoma and USC are doing it right now. Why can't Alabama? With the right coach, its possible. I think Alabama has the right coach.

It will take time, but it can happen. You may not think so, and that's ok. That's your right, and I don't fault you at all for thinking so. I hope we can agree that the best thing for Alabama would be that Shula is indeed the man.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

All right, here goes. First, realize I hate moral victories. But sit back and take a look at what this University has been through. I'm not going to go through it all again, but to say that Alabama football was nearly dead when Coach Shula took over would be an understatement.
In all honesty, Alabama shouldn't have been on the same field as Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn the last couple of years. Yet, they very nearly beat those teams. I mean, a play here or there, and Alabama has beaten teams that should be far superior in talent, depth, and coaching. Now, some of that has to do with Coach Shula, doesn't it?

OK but you are talking about moral victories. Correct me if I am wrong but a great coach actually WINS games.

Another thing is the recruiting. The kinds of athletes that Alabama is recruiting. What these recruits are saying about Coach Shula. What their parents and coaches are saying about Coach Shula. Its going to take time, but given that time, Coach Shula will turn Alabama around. And when that happens, don't you think that Alabama can continue to win on a consistent basis? When things are stable at Alabama, they will win.

Oh jeez are we going to start handing out SEC and National Recruiting Championship rings? I know I know that you first have to recruit and don't get me wrong I think that Coach Shula has done a great job, but he has to WIN on the field.

Lastly, please note that I said "the closest thing possible" to the Coach Bryant years. What does that mean? Averaging 10 wins a year, competing for the SEC championship every year and winning or playing for the National Championship every 4 or 5 years. Oklahoma and USC are doing it right now. Why can't Alabama? With the right coach, its possible. I think Alabama has the right coach.

Based on what? Shula's record does not give me confidence that we are somehow going to average 10 wins a year. To win the MNC you have to actually win big games and Shula has not won a single big game yet and he should have won at least one even with the handicap we have had.

It will take time, but it can happen. You may not think so, and that's ok. That's your right, and I don't fault you at all for thinking so. I hope we can agree that the best thing for Alabama would be that Shula is indeed the man.

I have said it before and I will say it again I hope I get egg all over my face. I hope that I am proven wrong but as of now I do not see it. I don't get the talk that Shula is a "great" coach, I don't see any evidence. A great coach would have gotten us at least ONE win over LSU, Tenn or Aub in two years I don't think that is too much to ask. I am not saying that Shula is a horrible coach but at best he is average.

 

[rtrcam]

Ok. I didn't say you had to agree with me.

I did point out that I hate moral victories, and I explained why even though Alabama shouldn't settle for these, that in the past 2 years, it should be an accomplishment that we've had them. We should have been blown off the field by Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn. The games shouldn't have been close. Yet, an undermanned team fought and outplayed these opponents, nearly winning.

You refuse to acknowledge this, and that's your right.

I agree that on paper, Shula has done nothing to suggest he's going to be a great coach. I'm going on things that you can't measure on paper.

I could be terribly wrong, and I'll admit if I am. I realize that continuing to "pump sunshine" could agitate people just as bad as being negative all the time could. So, I'll lay off the "sunshine pumping." I apologize if I've aggrevated some people. Anyone who has read my posts knows where I stand on this issue, so I'll give it a rest.

Happy Holidays and Roll Tide to All!