Nick Saban, Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama
Yes, it’s true.
On September 23, 2000 the UAB Blazers beat LSU 13 to 10 and spoiled LSU’s homecoming. Nick Saban was the LSU Coach and Jimbo Fisher, now head coach at FSU, was an assistant.
I also learned…
It wasn’t just the termination of the UAB program that made folks angry, but how it was executed. There are a lot of good people who were hurt by the decision, but more importantly, there was a great deal of resentment because of the way it was handled (or not handled). Rumors swirled weeks before–then after the final game of the season the historic announcement was made. UAB students, employees, and donors felt they were lied to and betrayed. Continue reading UAB beat Saban & 5 other things I learned from writing about the UAB football fiasco→
I am dumbfounded by the unfair personal attacks against Dr. Ray Watts and UAB’s decision to shut down football.
We say we want brave leaders who are willing to make unpopular decisions when it’s for the greater good—but that certainly is not how we are responding.
It appears almost everyone—student, public, and media—are unanimously dumping on Dr. Watts. These are the same folks who had the opportunity for years to support Blazer football, but were missing in action.
The above title is not my quote because I would be one of the “croakers,” but it’s something I hear from the younger generation regularly. Okay, they may not use the word, “croak,” but they say it’s time for our old leadership to step aside.
The next generation of Birmingham leaders does not understand our racial divide. They grew up in a different time and they see the possibilities and advantages of a common vision.
Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington with Commission President Jimmie Stephens
I wrote most of this piece about Commissioner Carrington a few months ago, but did not publish it for fear it would appear too political.
Now that the Jefferson County Commission election is over, I feel more comfortable making my comments. Commissioner Carrington has been reelected and Commissioner Jimmie Stephens has been elected President.
I’m not saying Commissioner Carrington is better or worse than any other commissioner–I just happen to know David better. I do feel strongly that our County Commission–though not perfect–did a credible job with the hand it was dealt. Continue reading David Carrington: “I don’t care!”→
There’s been talk that UAB may discontinue its Division 1 football program. UAB boosters are joining ranks to save it.
It’s heartbreaking because Bill Clark and UAB are showing new life, but I think it’s unavoidable. There are just too many obstacles for UAB football to overcome.
I’m about to give you some numbers that will confound and amuse you.
On October 1st, Justin Connolly, Senior VP of ESPN Programming over College Networks, spoke to the Rotary Club of Birmingham about the new SEC Network. He said the SEC Network has been the most successful launch of a cable network in the history of television. (Oprah, eat your heart out)
The point of the piece was that there’s no person dead or alive who can save our school system—not Moses, not President Abraham Lincoln–not even Coach Nick Saban.
Craig Witherspoon, outgoing Superintendent Birmingham City Schools
Every editorial I read about hiring a new superintendent for Birmingham City Schools says it’s critical we recruit the right candidate. The future of Birmingham Schools and possibly the City of Birmingham may be at stake.
Unfortunately, our next superintendent has virtually no chance of being successful.
I attended the University in the early ‘60’s when Bear Bryant was winning football games just as Nick Saban is today. By the way–even the Bear lost a game or two every once in a while.
My claim to fame is that while eating at the Little Cookie, a burger joint in Tuscaloosa, Joe Namath asked me to pass the salt.
