Alabama Football and the name "Mike"

The indenting on this blog is odd. I know how to indent. I'm copy and pasting them from Word. This is an editorial I wrote for Ken Hare's class:

Alabama finally decided to shop for a guy not named "Mike."

Mike Dubose coached Bama from 1997-2000. Dubose led Alabama to a 10-3 record in 1999, including two wins over Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators. The second win over Florida came in the SEC Championship game. Alabama also made an appearance in the Orange bowl, but fell to Michigan in overtime due to a missed extra point. In 2000, despite the graduation of a great running back in Shaun Alexander, Alabama was given a preseason #3 ranking. Bama lost it's first game of the season to UCLA , and the team fell apart on and off the field. Dubose was fired before season's end. Bama finished the 2000 campaign with a staggering 3-8 record.

During the search for a coach after Dubose's firing, Oregon State head coach Mike Riley was a strong candidate. In fact, probably had the job, but held out too long for Alabama. Thus, Dennis Franchione 's two year stint. Mike Riley remains the current Oregon State coach. The Beavers gave USC their first loss of the 2006 season.

After Franchione headed to College Station to coach the Aggies of Texas A&M, Mike Price was hired. Price, “It's rolling baby”, came from Washington State and fresh off a Rose Bowl appearance. He would never coach a game at Alabama. He would have no doubt been a better coach than Shula, but Price could not keep his behavior in tact. He was fired not too long after spring practice. Apparently it was Alabama’s fate or “Destiny.” He is currently the head coach of University Texas El Paso.

Mike Shula, the most recent coach and “Mike”, finished his four year term with a medicore at best, 26-23 record. Of the twenty-six wins, only three of the wins were against ranked teams. Plus, add to the fact that numerous wins came against cupcakes such as Florida International, Louisiana Monroe, Utah State, and the lower tier of the SEC. Alabama had the talent to win most of it's games this past season, but coaching proved to be the pitfall. Alabama had Auburn in its grasps, as well as Arkansas and Tennessee. Shula just was not a great coach. Too conservative. Not creative.

After the termination of Shula, the Tide pursued Miami Dolphins head coach Nick Saban. He showed no public interest in taking the job at Alabama. So from there, the Tide met with West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez . Soon after, a deal was made public. Rodriguez agreed to the deal in principle. Instead of a job acceptance press conference, he reversed his decision and turned down the Tide.

The Alabama football program had hit its lowest point. Losing to your arch-rival 5 years in a row and not being able to maintain a coach are two main ingredients for a disaster.

They were considered a laughing stock.

So who was Alabama to pursue next?

Nick Saban?

Been there, done that.

They yet again pursued Saban.

Have to admire Athletic Director Mal Moore or at least see the desperation to restore the football program.

Moore waited until the end of the NFL regular season to contact Saban. A deal was presented. Days later, he agreed. Moore and Alabama knew they could not afford another bad hire, so they only offered a contract that would not only make him the highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference, but in all of college football. In a recent espn.com article, the contract is $32 million for eight years, which equals $4 million a year.

Some Alabama fans remained apprehensive and made sure to hold back a reaction until the press conference.

The Bama Nation went from getting coal at Christmas to having a shiny, new, proven, head football coach.

Although Saban coached two seasons at the Miami Dolphins, he is no stranger to the Southeastern Conference.

Saban coached the LSU Tigers from 2000-2004. He posted five straight winning seasons, including two SEC Championships (01’ and 03’) and a National Championship (03’).

Fans are happy and excited about the hire. Also happy is Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore. As the last several years have been an embarassment to the football program, Moore should go ahead and retire. He can leave the program on a high, insecure note.