Willis’ move to Alabama is a different stroke

January 22, 2009

By Ken Rogers

I wasn’t there, so I don’t know.

But don’t you think Gene Chizik’s first reaction to James Willis’ departure for Alabama was, “What you talkin’ about, Willis?“

It’s not unprecedented, but movement between coaching staffs at these two schools is a, pardon me, different stroke.

Bill Oliver did it twice. He left Auburn for Alabama in 1970, then returned to the Tigers from Tuscaloosa in 1996.

Paul Davis left Auburn for Bear Bryant’s staff in 1980.

And now Willis, who is the only Auburn alumnus to go directly from Auburn’s staff to Alabama’s.

Several coaches, of course, have coached at both places, including Pat Dye and Tommy Bowden. But only these few went from one to the other. Trivia fans will note that Neil Callaway coached for both in consecutive years, but he moved to Kentucky with Bill Curry before joining Auburn’s staff in time for the next season.

Ron Steele disputes that injury caused his departure

January 21, 2009

By Ken Rogers

On this, they agree: that after four and a half seasons and three knee surgeries, Ronald Steele’s Alabama career is over.

But there is little else in the way of unanimity. A day after head coach Mark Gottfried issued a statement clearly implying that Steele stopped his senior season for medical reasons, primarily a bout with plantar fasciitis, Steele directly contradicted that on Wednesday.

In a statement first issued on Tidesports.com and picked up by wire services, Steele said:

“First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play at the University of Alabama and play with all my teammates who I still love very much. The fan support has been great. In fact, all the support I have received has been great. I am thankful for the friendships I have made.

“As it stands now, with my physical condition, I have plantar fasciitis, which is a small but painful condition many players have. It is definitely not the reason I am leaving the team. After many hours of praying and consulting with my family, teammates and close friends, I have decided it is in my best interests to move on.

“I love the University of Alabama. This is not a reflection on the University as a whole. I wish them the best of luck in the future and I will continue to support my teammates wholeheartedly. I hope my brother (Andrew) will feel the same love for the University that I have developed.

“I want to thank all the people who have supported me, particularly the media that gave me and my family so much positive recognition.“

He added that he intends to play basketball again.

Mark Gottfried was asked about Steele’s statement after Wednesday night’s 76-73 victory over Ole Miss.

“No. I love Ron Steele. For us, we’ve got to get moving forward,“ Gottfried said.

Asked about Andrew Steele’s attitude and if this was a distraction, Gottfried shook his head and said, “Andrew’s been fine. He’s been good.“

Ronald Steele leaves the Crimson Tide as one of only two players in UA history with 1,000 and points and 400 assists in career as he scored 1,113 points and recorded 453 assists, the fourth most in school history. He received his degree in financial planning from UA in December of 2007.

Busy day for Tide basketball, football programs

By Ken Rogers

Busy day in Tuscaloosa.
First, Ron Steele says his injuries had little affect on his decision to stop playing this year. That’s an indictment that may move coach Mark Gottfried’s new moniker to “embattled coach Mark Gottfried.“
Then Nick Saban fills the two vacancies on his staff, including a bombshell. He hired Auburn coach James Willis, who was fired then re-hired as the Tiger staff transitioned from Tommy Tuberville to Gene Chizik. The other coach is Carolina Panthers defensive assistant Sal Sunseri.
Next up, a basketball game against Ole Miss.
We’ll update things as we go.

Timing on Thompson’s departure tough to take

January 16, 2009

By Ken Rogers

I’m as free market a guy as I know. If I’m at Wal-mart and Target has a better deal, I’ll get in my car and shop there.
I don’t begrudge any coach or athlete their salary, even in these unusual economic times.
And I generally believe that if you’re unhappy at work or can find a better life for yourself and your family, you make a change. You marry a spouse, not a job.
Lance Thompson’s decision to leave Alabama for Tennessee may reflect that. But I’m struggling with the timing. Thompson is a recruiting machine, with names like Julio Jones and D.J. Fluker and Mark Barron and B.J. Scott on his resume. It’s easy to see why his services would be sought by other schools.
Tennessee apparently will double Thompson’s $225,000 salary. Good for them. Good for him.
It’s just that seems like pieces of silver as the Feb. 4 National Signing Day approaches. Was Tennessee’s offer good for this week only? Does Thompson become less valuable on Feb. 5? Or is part of his new job description to wreck the current commitments who will sign with Alabama in three weeks?
Several of the top names in Thompson’s area—A.J. McCarron, Fluker and Nico Johnson of Andalusia—said their commitments to Alabama are firm. Prized Pensacola running back Trent Richardson, rated by many as the best in the country, committed last summer but sounds shaky as he schedules visits to Florida, Tennessee and LSU.
Thompson has done and will continue to do a great job. But the timing of this move, three weeks before signing day, is a slap in the face to Alabama’s staff. It’s one they’ll remember.

 

Alabama welcomes three players as new semester starts

January 07, 2009

By Ken Rogers

Alabama’s search for top talent continues as recruiting season enters its final month.

But the Crimson Tide got three new players on campus when the new semester began on Wednesday.

Freshman Jermaine Preyear, a 5-11, 205-pound running back from Davidson High in Mobile, joined the team, along with Atlanta freshman offensive lineman Chase Warmack and junior college transfer James Carpenter, who is from Hephzibah, Ga., via Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
Preyear deferred entry last fall as he rehabbed shoulder surgery.

Kerry Murphy, the prized defensive lineman from Hoover who originally committed to Alabama in 2007, apparently must complete a second full year at Hargrave Military Academy as he attempts to qualify.