[Sam Odom]

Steve will get a big payday

[Sam Odom]

Press Con. in 2hrs

[Sam Odom]

Can anyone else confirm ? I learned from 2 IMs just sent to me

[Sam Odom]

Me thinks this is smelling like bullshitz. No way could this fly under the ESPN Live News radar this long

[gummo]

Dantonio from Cincy got the Michigan State job this morning.

[Sam Odom]

A buddy in Mobile, Ala just IM me again saying some idiot radio guy 'reported' this Spurrier thing

[jjgold]

Spurrie very overrated and cannot win big games

Big mistake Bama

[Aces]

Spurrier ???

Looks Good In Crimson And White !!!

[Aces]

From what I heard on WJOX radio station Shula was asked to hire an offensive coordinator ... he refused... now he's gone.

They will not announce a coach today.
They will start a "Search". This gives whatever coach they are looking at time to coach his Bowl game.
I've heard Spurrier Jimmie Johnson Mike Stoops and any other coach whoever did anything good mentioned.

[Aces]

Monday, November 27, 2006

Shula fired
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama football coach Mike Shula was informed of his firing by UA athletics director Mal Moore in a meeting late Sunday night at Moore's house, a source close to the situation said early today.

The source said the university is scheduling a press conference today — likely at 2 p.m. — to formally announce Shula's dismissal. The meeting will occur after Shula has a chance to address his players about his firing, which he was not able to do late Sunday night.

Moore called Shula to his house after the coach conducted a regularly scheduled team meeting at 9 p.m. at Bryant Hall to count heads after the Thanksgiving holiday, go over the upcoming training schedule and briefly discuss the team's bowl possibilities. Multiple sources on the team said Shula's status as head coach was not a topic of discussion in the team meeting.

Shula then drove over to Moore's house where he was informed he would not be retained after four seasons at his alma mater.

Shula, 41, compiled a 26-23 record in his four years, including a high-water mark of 10-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech in 2005. Shula was awarded a hefty raise and six-year contract extension in the offseason that brought his compensation this season close to $1.8 million and made him the fifth-highest paid coach in the SEC.

But the 2006 season brought frustration and anguish to one of the proudest programs in the country. Alabama went 6-6 this season and Shula's offense sputtered in scoring territory from the opener until the season-ending 22-15 loss to Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 18.

Perhaps the most critical blow to the Shula regime came in a 24-16 home loss to Mississippi State on Nov. 4. The Bulldogs had been winless in SEC play entering the game.

Outside of a five-sentence statement issued by Moore last Wednesday, neither Moore nor UA president Robert Witt has addressed the media since the Iron Bowl loss. The Moore statement did not include a message of support for Shula, fueling speculation that Shula's tenure was on the verge of ending.

Shula's contract calls for a $3 million buyout, plus $200,000 per season for the final five years of the agreement. That $4 million would be paid out in monthly increments totaling roughly $67,000 per month that would be mitigated by Shula's future employment.

Multiple sources said Witt and Moore met on Sunday to make a final decision on Shula's employment.

Shula is not expected to coach Alabama if it is extended a bowl invitation. The Crimson Tide is qualified for bowl participation at 6-6, and would be in line for a berth with an SEC tie-in if the conference places two teams in the Bowl Championship Series mix.

Thomas Murphy, posted November 28, 8:58 a.m.

[JoshW]

Was time to get rid of him, I doubt Spurrier would take the job myself.

[Seattle Slew]

Shula's coaching in the Auburn game alone deserved to get him fired. Can't believe Bama gave him that extension after one good season. That's a mighty fine retirement package for Mike.

The other Shula brother, David, who was fired by the Benagls hasn't coached again, and is the manager of the Don Shula Steakhouse franchise last I heard (really).

[kalmikrazy]

I could see a Mike Stoops here. Was gonna use AZ to move some day and why not this job if they cant get any bigger names. He loves D and the SEC has D written all over it.

[Razz]

I've heard Spurrier Jimmie Johnson Mike Stoops and any other coach whoever did anything good mentioned.

The NASCAR driver? Well, he might take the job, but the former Cowboys coach won't.

It's amazing how everyone I talk to is reacting to this news. They all think Spurrier is coming, and the prevailing theme is "I want a big name." (The other people Bammers are talking about are Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, and Bobby Petrino) Why they don't just hire Paul Johnson, Steve Kragthorpe, Jim Grobe, or someone in that vein is beyond me.

[pags11]

everyone's been turning Alabama down...pretty funny actually...I still can't believe Shula tried that fake punt down 14 on 4th and 12...wtf?!...

[SBR_John]

JJ "The Coach" Gold should throw his hat in the ring for the gig.

Stoops = no, cant see that

[Sam Odom]

JJ "The Coach" Gold should throw his hat in the ring for the gig.

You mean throw his Rug ?

[Razz]

Jim Leavitt turned them down now. What a joke school. Hey, I heard Don Strock is available. Or maybe they'll reach for the stars and hire Watson Brown.

[SBR_John]

How about Willie Joe Namath? Dont laugh I'm serious. man, that would put some life into that dying program!

[Aces]

Local news in Mobile Alabama reports Spurrier has an offer on the table from Alabama. 7 years 30 million.

[Razz]

Looks like it's going to be Rich Rodriguez. Not a terrible hire - he can certainly bring in talent, but he's a mediocre in-game coach - but I think Kragthorpe or Grobe would have been a much better hire.

[Razz]

How about Willie Joe Namath? Dont laugh I'm serious. man, that would put some life into that dying program!

And it would continue the Bammer tradition of head coaches who are notorious drunks.