A friend sent me an e-mail of another friend's blog about the prospect - now reality - that Nick Saban would leave the Miami Dolphins to become the latest to jump off the coaching merry-go-round and land in Tuscaloosa.
The friend who wrote the post pretty much bashed the whole thing, including the apparently misleading statements Saban made about not wanting the job, yet considering and now accepting it.
I am an Alabama fan, and this may come as a surprise to the person who sent the blog to me, but I don't see much with which to disagree.
The desire to win a national championship again at Alabama is manifesting itself like some kind of strange virus.
The friend who wrote the post pretty much bashed the whole thing, including the apparently misleading statements Saban made about not wanting the job, yet considering and now accepting it.
I am an Alabama fan, and this may come as a surprise to the person who sent the blog to me, but I don't see much with which to disagree.
The desire to win a national championship again at Alabama is manifesting itself like some kind of strange virus.
It makes otherwise rational people do irrational things, like offer a coach who hasn't stayed put very long a GUARANTEED $32 million over eight years and turn loose a guy who was loyal by default over two losses - those to Mississippi State and Auburn.
It also makes ordinary citizens drive to the Tuscaloosa airport and wait for the new coach to arrive - bringing an image akin to those awaiting an exiled leader of a nation in turmoil to return from his exodus and restore order.
How quickly we forget that another previous coach found his "dream job" was calling him to Texas just a few short years ago. Who's to say this new savior won't pull the ripcord in his contract in three years and leave everyone disillusioned again? Only this time, he'll leave us closer to bankruptcy.
It also makes ordinary citizens drive to the Tuscaloosa airport and wait for the new coach to arrive - bringing an image akin to those awaiting an exiled leader of a nation in turmoil to return from his exodus and restore order.
How quickly we forget that another previous coach found his "dream job" was calling him to Texas just a few short years ago. Who's to say this new savior won't pull the ripcord in his contract in three years and leave everyone disillusioned again? Only this time, he'll leave us closer to bankruptcy.
As my friend mentions, the state of Alabama consistently ranks near the bottom in quality of life issues.
Sure, much of the money Alabama has at its disposal to run its athletic program is from sources like ticket sales and private donations - not taxpayer money. But it still could be used elsewhere - a 13th national championship will do little more than give us a short-lived swelling of pride. Granted, it would be fun. I still have memorabilia from the 1992 title. But it won't fix roads, mend racial fences, heal the sick or educate a community.
Another acquaintance of mine mentioned recently that Paul "Bear" Bryant himself couldn't measure up to the pressure those currently in charge - whomever they may be - place on the job. I think he's absolutely right.
I'm willing to give Saban - and those who wanted him so badly they figuratively mortgaged the farm - a chance.
I hope they're right.
And I hope that $32 million is somehow worth the investment.
Somehow.
Sure, much of the money Alabama has at its disposal to run its athletic program is from sources like ticket sales and private donations - not taxpayer money. But it still could be used elsewhere - a 13th national championship will do little more than give us a short-lived swelling of pride. Granted, it would be fun. I still have memorabilia from the 1992 title. But it won't fix roads, mend racial fences, heal the sick or educate a community.
Another acquaintance of mine mentioned recently that Paul "Bear" Bryant himself couldn't measure up to the pressure those currently in charge - whomever they may be - place on the job. I think he's absolutely right.
I'm willing to give Saban - and those who wanted him so badly they figuratively mortgaged the farm - a chance.
I hope they're right.
And I hope that $32 million is somehow worth the investment.
Somehow.
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1 comment:
See? Give up college sports and go for The Red Sox and you won't have to live with all of this angst. :-)
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