| FTBL Maybe some resident LSU fans can give some insight

RollTidePGH

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Or maybe anyone else can shed some light. And I apologize in advance if this thread stinks of pot stirring, because that is not my intent at all.

I just watched the Saban's press conference. My question is, was he this prickly when he was at LSU and Miami, or is the 'Bama media and the "nut job" faction of our fans already getting on his nerves.

He really seemed frustrated with most things Alabama at the press conference. I don't want to be one of those, the sky is falling kind of guys, but that kind of frustration is just the kind of thing that might drive a guy to find a new gig. It just seems that he was really uncomfortable with the media and the 'Bama fan culture at this particular moment.

Like I said, I don't want to get to any premature conclusions, but he is the guy we need at the helm of the program and I don't like the thought of things coming up that might have him questioning his decision to coach the Tide.
 
RollTidePGH said:
Or maybe anyone else can shed some light. And I apologize in advance if this thread stinks of pot stirring, because that is not my intent at all.

I just watched the Saban's press conference. My question is, was he this prickly when he was at LSU and Miami, or is the 'Bama media and the "nut job" faction of our fans already getting on his nerves.

He really seemed frustrated with most things Alabama at the press conference. I don't want to be one of those, the sky is falling kind of guys, but that kind of frustration is just the kind of thing that might drive a guy to find a new gig. It just seems that he was really uncomfortable with the media and the 'Bama fan culture at this particular moment.

Like I said, I don't want to get to any premature conclusions, but he is the guy we need at the helm of the program and I don't like the thought of things coming up that might have him questioning his decision to coach the Tide.

I think the man has a right to be frustrated. As he stated in the P/C it only going to take one more lose. He also said ALABAMA fans set himself and the players up to fall. When we don't pass for 500 yards or rush for 200 and win everygame. I would agree with that statement as well.

He's also sounded very sick to me. I'm sure he's use to being a big time head coach. Although I think he's is getting to know what it's is like to be at ALABAMA!
 
This might be a totally different take on it. He does sound extremely frustrated, but wouldn't you too?!

I know we can read between the lines and figure out that he was trying to tell us we have a lack of SEC talent. I'm almost wondering if he is even surprised at how much. And not so much talent but mental state as well.

It looked to me on Sat. that he was most disappointed with the mental aspect of the game. I wonder if even he is thinking "how do I get into these kids' heads". It just seems like he is trying different approaches but with the same results, and I'm not sure if he is used to that and/or was expecting that from this group. Just a thought.
 
It looks as if Saban has frequently chosen a tried and true method of getting inside a kid's head -- reduce playing time. I think he's constantly testing the mental toughness of every kid on this squad. If you agree with that theory than consider this.

Could it be that the reason that JPW is still playing is because GM has not proven to CNS that he has the "mental toughness" that Saban obviously insists on to get onto the field on Saturday?

He stressed at the presser that kids (like Grant) not playing was not necessarily a poor reflection on Grant, but a positive reflection on Coffee. Is it possible the converse is true as well? Maybe at practice, in Saban's mind, Greg McElroy has not earned the snaps that the masses are insisting on.

(Personally, I wish the offense would throw for about 500 yards against Ole Miss, so we could change to a different topic.)
 
reger60 said:
(Personally, I wish the offense would throw for about 500 yards against Ole Miss, so we could change to a different topic.)

Amen, Reger.

Beating_A_Dead_Horse_by_livius.gif
 
The may sound like the craziest thing to say But :

I think us going 3-0 , with the big Win against Arkansas is the problem . We all of a sudden got unrealistic expectations of this team . They were bad last year , so I'm not surprised that they are this year . He has said all along that this would take time to get the talent to compete every week in the SEC . I think we just lost focus of that with the 3-0 start . I'm sure he is more frustrated with them more than the fans .

He is now seeing first hand that this is the toughest school to coach at . He will earn all of his 4 million this year .

We will have more lack luster wins and some tough losses before he gets it turned around .

Give him time to get his talent in there and we will be a good team again . Just look at LSU , most of those players are his recruits .

I just want to say that I'm behind you Nick 100% !!!
Roll Tide !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
RollTidePGH said:
Or maybe anyone else can shed some light. And I apologize in advance if this thread stinks of pot stirring, because that is not my intent at all.

I just watched the Saban's press conference. My question is, was he this prickly when he was at LSU and Miami, or is the 'Bama media and the "nut job" faction of our fans already getting on his nerves.

He really seemed frustrated with most things Alabama at the press conference. I don't want to be one of those, the sky is falling kind of guys, but that kind of frustration is just the kind of thing that might drive a guy to find a new gig. It just seems that he was really uncomfortable with the media and the 'Bama fan culture at this particular moment.

Like I said, I don't want to get to any premature conclusions, but he is the guy we need at the helm of the program and I don't like the thought of things coming up that might have him questioning his decision to coach the Tide.

First, a question. Do you know the story about "Here's twenty, bury two?"

As to your question, it's the way Saban has been with the media for years. Before he ever spent time at LSU he was curt with the media.

You have partially hit the nail on the head though. It's the "Nut jobs" in the media that quickly get on his nerves. I don't blame him one bit. The same questions get answered day after day. Questions get asked that have already been answered in the 12-15 minutes he just spent talking to them. Heck, just this week he said he wasn't questioning the play calling but we needed to pass the ball. The next day the Mobile press register puts up an article about how he's upset and being critical of the play calling.

Would that tick you off if you were in his shoes?

Going back to Miami, he was hounded for weeks, on a daily basis, and asked if he had any interest in the Bama job. After telling them time after time he concentration was on Miami and he hadn't talked to anyone from Alabama he finally blew up with the "I'm not going to coach at Alabama" line.

A mistake, granted.

When he was hired a lot of LSU fans told me I would hate his pressers. I absolutely love them. They also said we wouldn't know what was going on with the team because he didn't share that information. I firmly believe they either didn't have access to listen to those pressers, or didn't understand how to listen to what a coach says and translate it to the team.

If the press doesn't like what Saban says, screw 'em.

"Be smart about your reporting, be smart with your questioning, and your life will be easier covering the program" is what I'd tell them. Although, I would have to probably repeat that for a month or two before they would understand it.


Optimus said:
He's also sounded very sick to me. I'm sure he's use to being a big time head coach. Although I think he's is getting to know what it's is like to be at ALABAMA!

He's had one of those summer colds for a couple of weeks now.
 
TerryP said:
"Be smart about your reporting, be smart with your questioning, and your life will be easier covering the program" is what I'd tell them. Although, I would have to probably repeat that for a month or two before they would understand it.

You honestly think they would get it in a month or two? You give 'em too much damn credit. :D
 
Wiseace615 said:
TerryP said:
"Be smart about your reporting, be smart with your questioning, and your life will be easier covering the program" is what I'd tell them. Although, I would have to probably repeat that for a month or two before they would understand it.

You honestly think they would get it in a month or two? You give 'em too much damn credit. :D

Might have to pull a Gundy!
 
TerryP said:
Wiseace615 said:
TerryP said:
"Be smart about your reporting, be smart with your questioning, and your life will be easier covering the program" is what I'd tell them. Although, I would have to probably repeat that for a month or two before they would understand it.

You honestly think they would get it in a month or two? You give 'em too much damn credit. :D

Might have to pull a Gundy!

That might work . :lol:
 
TerryP said:
First, a question. Do you know the story about "Here's twenty, bury two?"
I heard tale it was about some dang orange media fool dying, and someone ask Bear for 10$. So Bear was willing to do everyone a favor and bury 2 of them for 20$ :lol:


Optimus said:
He's also sounded very sick to me. I'm sure he's use to being a big time head coach. Although I think he's is getting to know what it's is like to be at ALABAMA!
TerryP said:
He's had one of those summer colds for a couple of weeks now.

I've had one too. Its been a rough :cry:
 
TerryP said:
First, a question. Do you know the story about "Here's twenty, bury two?"

As to your question, it's the way Saban has been with the media for years. Before he ever spent time at LSU he was curt with the media.

Yes I'm familiar with the quote, I love that quote. and I figured CNS had always been rough on the media and as you mentioned rightfully so. It just struck me a bit odd when he mentioned the fans setting the team up for disappointment in presser. But it also seemed that he was a bit more frustrated with his situation than I had seen him before.

Personally, I recall my time at Wisconsin, coach Alvarez used to tell us that any time that we had contact with the media; keep in mind that, save a few, they are nothing but a bunch of weasels that wouldn't know what to do on a football field if their life depended on it. And that the only victory the press gets is when they can claim to be right when something goes wrong. He was a sharp guy.

Getting back to Coach Saban, if I were him I'd be frustrated, as a matter of fact I wouldn't blame him for saying screw you writers, and leaving the presser to take care of things that are productive rather than fueling the media fire.

I guess when talking about the media, you also have to keep the old Joe Namath quote in mind too. When he was asked by a writer if he took basket weaving in college, he replied "no, I took journalism, it was easier"
 
RollTidePGH said:
Yes I'm familiar with the quote, I love that quote. and I figured CNS had always been rough on the media and as you mentioned rightfully so. It just struck me a bit odd when he mentioned the fans setting the team up for disappointment in presser. But it also seemed that he was a bit more frustrated with his situation than I had seen him before.

Personally, I recall my time at Wisconsin, coach Alvarez used to tell us that any time that we had contact with the media; keep in mind that, save a few, they are nothing but a bunch of weasels that wouldn't know what to do on a football field if their life depended on it. And that the only victory the press gets is when they can claim to be right when something goes wrong. He was a sharp guy.


Getting back to Coach Saban, if I were him I'd be frustrated, as a matter of fact I wouldn't blame him for saying screw you writers, and leaving the presser to take care of things that are productive rather than fueling the media fire.

I guess when talking about the media, you also have to keep the old Joe Namath quote in mind too. When he was asked by a writer if he took basket weaving in college, he replied "no, I took journalism, it was easier"

Weasels. Fitting with some of them. Although, thankfully, we have a few around the state that still do their jobs.

Here's a PRIME example of the mentality of some that cover the pressers at Bama.

As you may know, Tuesday is normally the day that JPW takes questions from the media. Yesterday, one of the reporters mentioned to him that his brother, Ross, was doing well in the baseball program and looks to be a contributor when bats and gloves come out in the fall.

One reporters said, "So who is doing better this fall, you are your brother?" Walsh, one of the writers in Tuscaloosa described the comment as a quip. No, that's a smart ass.

When you have a reporter, professional (used loosely) at that, talking to a college kid and pulls a line out of his ___ like that it goes very far in describing exactly what kind of personality and character this "reporter" has, doesn't it?

I understand the "joke." There is a bit of truth in every joke. BUT, to make a college kid the butt of your joke in a press conference?!? That just incenses me.

Now, take the same mentality of that reporter and put him in with Saban after a game, after a practice at that! You know damn well he's put his foot in his mouth and came up with a handful of asinine questions.

I'm all for putting a few more GA's in the pressers so they can put their feet up some of these asinine questions/aires.
 
RollTidePGH said:
Yes I'm familiar with the quote, I love that quote. and I figured CNS had always been rough on the media and as you mentioned rightfully so. It just struck me a bit odd when he mentioned the fans setting the team up for disappointment in presser. But it also seemed that he was a bit more frustrated with his situation than I had seen him before.

I have seen this commented on in a few threads, yet I haven't found where he says that the fans set the team up for disappointment. I've watched the presser and gone over its transcript and this is the best that I've come up with:

Two things – and I don’t want to leave anything to doubt – how far are you guys from allowing or putting Greg McElroy in for a series and where’s your confidence level in John Parker Wilson?

SABAN: “My confidence in John Parker Wilson is good. You know, John Parker Wilson needs to play – and we need to give him the opportunities to do what he can do. I’m not as disappointed in John Parker Wilson as everybody else is. I’m not talking about our staff. I’m talking about you all, because you all have these high expectations that are unrealistic for people so, then when they don’t do it, you set them up to fail. It’s comin’ for me, too. All we have to do is lose one more game and you guys all got me set up up here, and then you can kill me. I understand that. That ain’t no secret, so I don’t want to leave anything unturned with you, either. Is that alright? But we don’t operate that way around here. We’ve got to go on performance, what people do, how they improve and what they need to do to get better. That’s where we’re at. And we’ve got confidence in the guy (Wilson), he’s our guy, and we’ve got to help him get better. He can do better. He wants to do better. He works hard to do better, and he’s not doing as bad as everybody thinks. Of course, you look at stats.”

Now, I may be wrong, but I took that as being directed to the press and not the fans. I'm sure that he is well aware of the fact that we have some insane fans. I'm sure that he and the staff have had their experiences with them already. However, I don't see where this is directed at the fans. I think we tend to get paranoid that some members of our fan base are going to run Coach Saban off. How long will he stay? I have no idea. But, I'm quite certain that, if and when he goes, it won't be because of a few fans. Hell, remember after the Arkansas game how he smiled when he spoke of the fans booing his decision to kick the field goal on fourth down instead of going for it? That smile said,"See, you thought I was making a mistake, but I showed you I know what I'm doing." So, if anything fans complaining is more likely to cause his to stay longer, if for now other reason than to give him a chance to smile and say,"I told you so."

As usual, these ramblings are just my opinions and not intended to attack any posts or posters on this board. I just don't want us to be too afraid that the sky is falling just yet. Also, if I missed a spot in the presser where he did point out the fans, then someone please tell me, as I said I could have overlooked it.

Roll Tide!
-Clayton
 
Wiseace615 said:
Now, I may be wrong, but I took that as being directed to the press and not the fans. I'm sure that he is well aware of the fact that we have some insane fans. I'm sure that he and the staff have had their experiences with them already. However, I don't see where this is directed at the fans.


In review of the section, I guess there is not a direct mention of the fans in relation to setting up the team for disappointment, and maybe right or wrong, I misinterpreted when CNS using words like you all and everyone when speaking on the subject. I tend to think on the terms of the press being the outlet to the public and the press having some strange notion (sarcasm fully intended) that they're a part of the public and will therefore report as if CNS was speaking the the Tide nation as a whole.

But it also seemed that he was rather disturbed by an ass of a journalist who was asking some rather idiotic questions in an attacking manner. So I'm sure he didn't choose his words quite so carefully at that moment.

As for the sky falling, I don't feel that it's the case. Not yet anyway. Ultimately, I really think CNS will stick it out for 5-8 years and then retire altogether. I just don't want his time at the Capstone to be filled with vitriol from the press or the nut job faction of our fans and it be a bitter time.

I guess my real mistake comes from a lack of time and desire to dissect a press conference in its entirety. So, I guess I can thank you for having the gumption to do so. I just hope the writers in that presser don't pass along the information in their articles as if he was intending the statements to be directed at the fans.
 
I've looked for the same Wiseace, and haven't found out where the notion of the fans came into play either. I am guessing it is posted in an article somewhere and gained legs...

FWIW, I took it as a shot at the press myself. In the same moment he's talking about them being after him after a loss as well.
 
I also think it was a shot at the press, but the problem is that some (if not most) of our fans have a hard time forming their own opinions about anything. They will read something in the paper or on the internet and then work themselves into some sort of Chicken Little frenzy.

Sensational journalism is the root of all this and I'm sure that it always will be. Those writers know headlines like "Coach Sabaan: No Position is Safe" or whatever will draw readers no matter what he actually said.

Save for a few, responsible journalism has gone out the window.
 
re: maybe some lsu resident fans can give some insight

i have followed nick since he came down to shreveport,la when he was coach at msu playing lsu in the independence bowl. he lost that game to dinardo's tigers . he's always been consistent in several ways.... he is by nature a person who wants
total control; maybe to the point you could say he is a control freak. this was surely one of his problems in the nfl. he demanded complete control in miami. i remember bertman relating this point to saban when he looking at nfl jobs . it has been a problem with asst. coaches who leave because of strained relationships with nick. if i remember it correctly not a single asst. from msu follwed sabin to baton rouge ,some did several years later. nick
is a perfectionist which means he is hardly ever satisfied and almost never happy. i remember listening to saban on radio as i was leaving new orleans the morning after lsu bcs victory . he did
not let himself enjoy that great victory the next
morning! . when it comes to the press and boosters he can be arrogant and even hostile. in louisiana the
media mostly let him have his way; although there were some loss of respect by some....in miami it was
totally different..... nick is an excellent football
coach and i along with many tiger alums owe him a great debt of gratitude for his efforts while at lsu.
regardless of his success at bama he will not change. he is a complex person.....one who seldom
is happy with himself much less any one else.
 
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