AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 06
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Shula sets poor example
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In my work I have been pretty positive about Mike Shula since he became the head coach at the University of Alabama.
When the fans and media took their shots at Shula’s nervous performance in his first press conference, I said that you have to let a new coach grow into the job.
When Alabama lost at home to Northern Illinois in 2003 I reminded people that the MAC gives scholarships, too. I have repeatedly said that if school officials weren’t willing to give Shula five years to rebuild the program, given the mess that it was in, then he shouldn’t have been hired in the first place.
Every time I am asked about Mike Shula I have described him as a young, talented coach who has learned how to surround himself with very good people. After going 10-2 last season, I have predicted that Alabama would go through a transition year in 2006 and have a very good chance to win the SEC championship in 2007.
In short, I have been overwhelmingly positive about Mike Shula and his handling of the Alabama football program since he took over in 2003.
But not today.
Today we part company. Today I am sad for Mike Shula and I am sad for the great football program at the University of Alabama.
Earlier this year linebacker Juwan Simpson was arrested for marijuana possession and for having a stolen handgun.
Faced with alcohol-related transgressions from some players, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville handed down game suspensions, the only penalty that really matters, back in July.
Tarell Brown, a three-year starting cornerback at Texas, committed the exact same infraction - a gun and some pot in his car - on Monday. Coach Mack Brown didn’t hesitate after getting all the facts and by Tuesday had suspended the player for Saturday’s big game with No. 1 Ohio State. Given the fact that Ohio State’s best player is a wide receiver, that decision could cost Texas the game and a shot at the national championship.
Juwan Simpson, who reached a plea agreement on his charges, played for Alabama last Saturday against the University of Hawaii.
Let’s make this clear. Mike Shula is the head coach at Alabama and had every right to handle the situation the way he did. I personally believe that when college athletes break the law, as opposed to team rules, the athletics director and president should make the final call on punishment. I assume they were in the loop here.
But I can tell you that from a national perspective, Alabama’s program has taken a hit on this one. Alabama didn’t need Juwan Simpson to beat Hawaii and the greater good - and image - of the program would have been better served by sitting him down. In today’s culture, “in-house” discipline or running the stadium steps at dawn is no longer sufficient. It simply sends the wrong message and too many coaches (like Tennesee’s Phillip Fulmer) have had to learn that lesson the hard way.
I’m an outsider, I know. I can only tell you that from the outside this looks like a bad decision that may help Alabama football in the short term but hurt its public image in the long haul. And given what the school has gone through the past 4-5 years, the last thing Alabama needs is a public relations hit.
And it just wasn’t necessary. That is what’s so sad.
