NAT OATS TAKES CONTROL OF THE PROGRAM...
My thoughts on our new coach. He seems to be a really good coach. In fact, he seems like "our kind of guy" and I will support him fully, but...
Are right back in the Anthony and Avery boat. We thought each of them was the man. Past success at lower divisions outside a Power Five conference cannot make you successful in the SEC. So, we need to understand that Alabama is taking a risk once again. I suppose the AD took a cost-benefit analysis approach in making this decision. I think the money Alabama paid Johnson took a financial toll and might have had something to do with his decision. That is somewhat understandable. Or it may mean that Alabama cannot attract a current big-time coach. If you can't attract one try to hire one and hope he becomes big-time.
None of what I have said means I have a negative opinion about our coach or AD. It isn't like we are betting the ranch on drawing a card to an inside straight. But it isn't like having three of kind hoping to get a fourth king either. For all the Halleluiahs that Alabama exerts to sell Nate Oats, you have to throw in a couple of Hail Marys as well. Do I hope Oats is successful? Of course, all 'Bama fans want him to be. The Capstone needs him to be. Truthfully, none of us know. The difference between a Thad Matta type coach is you can expect him to be. With Oats, you have some indication of what he might be able to do at Alabama. But hope is still a big part if you think about it. I am not being negative or wildly excited. Temperant is the right word.
This isn't going to be an overnight success story and a walk down the yellow brick road. This isn't going to be a Bataan Death March either, but there are going to be some down times ahead. Task one - convince those in the transfer portal to stay at Alabama. Task two is to recruit Trendon Watford and one more big man. Task three is to convince the fanbase to lower expectations for a couple of years or four.
I hope he can do it and let's give some room. Alabama is a tough job. He's not a kid. He's mature and that will help at Alabama. I like him a lot though. This press conference was tempered with a dash of hard-hat thrown in. I believe you work hard for this man or you transfer out. I think Alabama needs a little more of that in Coleman, don't you? He seemed sincere and that is important. Johnson was a salesman. Oats is a leader.
UPDATE: CNO said some things this writer needed to hear. He didn't promise instant success, instead, he took a more logical stance of "continue to build". I like that. It was better to say that outright and have it out of the way. He said he would likely keep one instate coach in a kind of "lay of the land strategy." It was respectful to give each assistant coach a chance to talk with him about their future. N.O. said he is also open to giving a high school coach a leg up as his mentor did for him. Paying it forward never hurts. If the two time Alabama High School Player of the Year and a 5-star recruit plays for a talented coach in Mountain Brook, Alabama. That statement is going to light up the board. Those things answered a lot of questions I had. He appears solid. He is a competitor. He has a plan and he said the University will give him the funds to compete to make his blueprint work. You can't ask for a more logical and thoughtful approach.
I have a source close to high school basketball in Birmingham. He says that Watford will sit and listen to what the coach has to say. It might happen tonight.
My thoughts on our new coach. He seems to be a really good coach. In fact, he seems like "our kind of guy" and I will support him fully, but...
Are right back in the Anthony and Avery boat. We thought each of them was the man. Past success at lower divisions outside a Power Five conference cannot make you successful in the SEC. So, we need to understand that Alabama is taking a risk once again. I suppose the AD took a cost-benefit analysis approach in making this decision. I think the money Alabama paid Johnson took a financial toll and might have had something to do with his decision. That is somewhat understandable. Or it may mean that Alabama cannot attract a current big-time coach. If you can't attract one try to hire one and hope he becomes big-time.
None of what I have said means I have a negative opinion about our coach or AD. It isn't like we are betting the ranch on drawing a card to an inside straight. But it isn't like having three of kind hoping to get a fourth king either. For all the Halleluiahs that Alabama exerts to sell Nate Oats, you have to throw in a couple of Hail Marys as well. Do I hope Oats is successful? Of course, all 'Bama fans want him to be. The Capstone needs him to be. Truthfully, none of us know. The difference between a Thad Matta type coach is you can expect him to be. With Oats, you have some indication of what he might be able to do at Alabama. But hope is still a big part if you think about it. I am not being negative or wildly excited. Temperant is the right word.
This isn't going to be an overnight success story and a walk down the yellow brick road. This isn't going to be a Bataan Death March either, but there are going to be some down times ahead. Task one - convince those in the transfer portal to stay at Alabama. Task two is to recruit Trendon Watford and one more big man. Task three is to convince the fanbase to lower expectations for a couple of years or four.
I hope he can do it and let's give some room. Alabama is a tough job. He's not a kid. He's mature and that will help at Alabama. I like him a lot though. This press conference was tempered with a dash of hard-hat thrown in. I believe you work hard for this man or you transfer out. I think Alabama needs a little more of that in Coleman, don't you? He seemed sincere and that is important. Johnson was a salesman. Oats is a leader.
UPDATE: CNO said some things this writer needed to hear. He didn't promise instant success, instead, he took a more logical stance of "continue to build". I like that. It was better to say that outright and have it out of the way. He said he would likely keep one instate coach in a kind of "lay of the land strategy." It was respectful to give each assistant coach a chance to talk with him about their future. N.O. said he is also open to giving a high school coach a leg up as his mentor did for him. Paying it forward never hurts. If the two time Alabama High School Player of the Year and a 5-star recruit plays for a talented coach in Mountain Brook, Alabama. That statement is going to light up the board. Those things answered a lot of questions I had. He appears solid. He is a competitor. He has a plan and he said the University will give him the funds to compete to make his blueprint work. You can't ask for a more logical and thoughtful approach.
I have a source close to high school basketball in Birmingham. He says that Watford will sit and listen to what the coach has to say. It might happen tonight.
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