🏈 Rich Rodriguez,spotted at UA today!!

[rick4bama]

 

[Tidestalker]

Next OC? If CNS is game so am I

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Oh no...
After sucker punching MAL....
Get off our campus asshole

 

[XXL TideFan]

I don't like that greazzy bastard. Skeezer

 

[alabama mike]

Dont mind the visit but I do not want T'town to be a residence.

 

[utstnx]

Dont mind the visit but I do not want T'town to be a residence.

Agreed. Locksley has been amazing. I hope he isnt leaving

 

[planomateo]

Guess he ok'ed it with Rita.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

Possible Locks gets some HC offers

Guarantee CNS is already looking for the next OC. Not that I really want Rich Rod myself but I haven't been in favor of several of CNS choices

 

[OldPlayer]

Interviewing for an analyst role. There's always room for another one of those.

 

[BamaSon25]

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

 

[colbyjacks]

I thought Rich Rod was offered the job and he turned it down (with Rita’s help of course).

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...
RR was playing Mal....wanted committment for upgrade of facilities and more cash for the RRs...plus Rita wasn’t interested

 

[TerryP]

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...

Depending on who is telling the story...

It's changed a lot over the years. A lot forget the transition Bama was going through at the time. The athletic department was, once again like Joab Thomas, held in smaller regard than the academic department by the powers that be. One was found on ol' bowtie Bob, the other one in the President's chair. The pressure exerted by people like Malcolm Portera--motivated by fear, if you ask me--led to a lot of this Rich Rod crap.

**On another note, I really don't see a big deal here when all we have to do is look back and see reports of Chip Kelly being in Tuscaloosa which led to rumors of him taking over the OC position. When, in fact, he was there just to observe and critique. I can't say for sure because this is just a blip on the news radar for me...but this certainly fits the narrative of a coach being invited in to observe and report.

 

[TUSKtimes]

My son was all excited when RichRod was offered the job. I pointed out that his team's defense was rated around 108th in the country at the time. Talk about the proverbial square peg in a round hole. I was most relieved when the trainwreck happened in Ann Arbor instead.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

One college AD (with the blessing of the WV Admin) interviewed Rich at the Waldorf Astoria regarding the position of HC.
One college AD interviewed and hired Rich at a pizza parlor in Ohio.

 

[rick4bama]

The best thing he ever did was turn down to be Bama HC!

 

[BamaSon25]

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...
RR was playing Mal....wanted committment for upgrade of facilities and more cash for the RRs...plus Rita wasn’t interested

I wrote an article that detailed that coaching search back right after we landed Saban. I will see if I can dig it out. That account of things is the way that search went. The information I was privy to at that time was from the OLD Guard (Saban camp) side of things, so I was only getting pieces of the New Guard (Richrod) side of things. I do remember that it was down to the wire and an offer was prepared for Richrod. I do remember being told he would accept if offered. It was only after I heard that Saban was going to be coming that all of the stuff about Rita hating Ttown, etc. Came out. A way for them to save face maybe? As I said, I was kind of on the other side of things at that time. I do know for sure that Richrod being the head coach at Alabama was a lot closer than most realize.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...
RR was playing Mal....wanted committment for upgrade of facilities and more cash for the RRs...plus Rita wasn’t interested

I wrote an article that detailed that coaching search back right after we landed Saban. I will see if I can dig it out. That account of things is the way that search went. The information I was privy to at that time was from the OLD Guard (Saban camp) side of things, so I was only getting pieces of the New Guard (Richrod) side of things. I do remember that it was down to the wire and an offer was prepared for Richrod. I do remember being told he would accept if offered. It was only after I heard that Saban was going to be coming that all of the stuff about Rita hating Ttown, etc. Came out. A way for them to save face maybe? As I said, I was kind of on the other side of things at that time. I do know for sure that Richrod being the head coach at Alabama was a lot closer than most realize.

Well...ok...
But Mal didnt travel down to Miami until after RR poked him.. and when Mal got to Miami...Saban wouldnt see him...all talk thru agent...
But.... ok.... never heard of this old camp-new camp stuff... why would there ever been any other camp if Saban was involved( widely consideredthe best potential college HC ....along with Spurrier)....
Cool man...am ok with someone that knows more .....

 

[BamaSon25]

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...
RR was playing Mal....wanted committment for upgrade of facilities and more cash for the RRs...plus Rita wasn’t interested

I wrote an article that detailed that coaching search back right after we landed Saban. I will see if I can dig it out. That account of things is the way that search went. The information I was privy to at that time was from the OLD Guard (Saban camp) side of things, so I was only getting pieces of the New Guard (Richrod) side of things. I do remember that it was down to the wire and an offer was prepared for Richrod. I do remember being told he would accept if offered. It was only after I heard that Saban was going to be coming that all of the stuff about Rita hating Ttown, etc. Came out. A way for them to save face maybe? As I said, I was kind of on the other side of things at that time. I do know for sure that Richrod being the head coach at Alabama was a lot closer than most realize.

Well...ok...
But Mal didnt travel down to Miami until after RR poked him.. and when Mal got to Miami...Saban wouldnt see him...all talk thru agent...
But.... ok.... never heard of this old camp-new camp stuff... why would there ever been any other camp if Saban was involved( widely consideredthe best potential college HC ....along with Spurrier)....
Cool man...am ok with someone that knows more .....

I can tell you for sure that Mal wasn't down there until the day the plane left Tuscaloosa and flew down there to bring Saban back. (Well, not for an overnight stay anyway). There were a couple of people that did stay with him as close to around the clock as possible though....just being NEIGHBORly. The NAMATHs I cant recall for sure. Surely Michael JORDAN wasn't there, I mean what business would he have in an Alabama coaching search?

It was one of the most interesting fly on the wall moments I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. My old brain is having problems recalling some of the details now though. The Old Guard / New Guard was a very real element during all of this. There needed to be a change in the coach hiring process...we we rent ever going to find another Coach Bryant ya know? This is why the teams were put together...to look outside of the box.

Also... to answer your question.... why was Richrod involved if Saban was in the mix. Saban wouldn't tell anybody yes or no. He kept saying he would talk after his NFL season concluded. I surmise they were simply having a backup plan in place. Mike Riley did flat out say he wasn't interested. Contrary to popular belief, I dont think Dabo was ever seriously considered.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

O

Back when the coaching search was happening that landed Saban and all of the Richrod talk was going on... don't think for a second he wouldn't have taken the job if he had been offered it (which very nearly happened). There were 2 factions of Bama alumni involved in the search... one faction (the old school guys...Jordan, Stabler, etc) were going after Saban. The newer alumni (Hannah, Ozzie, etc) were going after Richrod. These "teams" were lobbying hard for both. Obviously the old guard won out, but don't think for a second that Richrod wasn't close to being hired. If I remember correctly, it was down to the day and an offer was about to be given to Richrod. At this point, Saban told Mal that he just had to trust him, but that he would come. Mal trusted that. We withheld that offer and the rest is history.

Sorry...i dont think ur recount of facts is accurate...
RR was playing Mal....wanted committment for upgrade of facilities and more cash for the RRs...plus Rita wasn’t interested

I wrote an article that detailed that coaching search back right after we landed Saban. I will see if I can dig it out. That account of things is the way that search went. The information I was privy to at that time was from the OLD Guard (Saban camp) side of things, so I was only getting pieces of the New Guard (Richrod) side of things. I do remember that it was down to the wire and an offer was prepared for Richrod. I do remember being told he would accept if offered. It was only after I heard that Saban was going to be coming that all of the stuff about Rita hating Ttown, etc. Came out. A way for them to save face maybe? As I said, I was kind of on the other side of things at that time. I do know for sure that Richrod being the head coach at Alabama was a lot closer than most realize.

Well...ok...
But Mal didnt travel down to Miami until after RR poked him.. and when Mal got to Miami...Saban wouldnt see him...all talk thru agent...
But.... ok.... never heard of this old camp-new camp stuff... why would there ever been any other camp if Saban was involved( widely consideredthe best potential college HC ....along with Spurrier)....
Cool man...am ok with someone that knows more .....

I can tell you for sure that Mal wasn't down there until the day the plane left Tuscaloosa and flew down there to bring Saban back. (Well, not for an overnight stay anyway). There were a couple of people that did stay with him as close to around the clock as possible though....just being NEIGHBORly. The NAMATHs I cant recall for sure. Surely Michael JORDAN wasn't there, I mean what business would he have in an Alabama coaching search?

It was one of the most interesting fly on the wall moments I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. My old brain is having problems recalling some of the details now though. The Old Guard / New Guard was a very real element during all of this. There needed to be a change in the coach hiring process...we we rent ever going to find another Coach Bryant ya know? This is why the teams were put together...to look outside of the box.

Also... to answer your question.... why was Richrod involved if Saban was in the mix. Saban wouldn't tell anybody yes or no. He kept saying he would talk after his NFL season concluded. I surmise they were simply having a backup plan in place. Mike Riley did flat out say he wasn't interested. Contrary to popular belief, I dont think Dabo was ever seriously considered.

Ok... @TUSKtimes @TerryP @colbyjacks
Got this. Am going to buzz this through some people AU weekend....
Not doubting...just getting their angles...
And Dabo was an assistant..at time..dont think Mal was interested in another assistant then