How long will Coach Shula have?

This was a response to that question on BAMAmag by Tider72. One of the best post I have read in a long, long time.

Thank You My Friend.

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I've been asked this many, many times by my Auburn fan friends..."How many does Shula have to win?" "Why aren't you guys running him out of town?", etc, etc.

The past two years have proven something to me that I've always believed. Alabama fans, by and large, are among the most knowledgeable in College Football. We talk often about Coach Bryant's ability to get the most out of "underestimated" players...but we also understand that Coach Bryant had a TON of talent over the years. Not just good players...but Hall-of-Famers (Namath, Stabler, Jordan, Hannah, Castille, Stephenson, and on and on and on). We understand that while not everyone can win when they have talent...nobody (even Coach Bryant) can do it when they have NONE.

I think we, for the most part, have a great understanding of the factors that lead to winning (outside of pure coaching ability)....factors like stability, talent, depth, commitment, etc.

I think that knowledge and understanding is something that is a product of having watched Championship-caliber teams so often...The early-mid 60's...The entire decade of the 70's...and about a five year run in the 90's. Fans of other programs with similar success (ND, Texas, OU, USC, etc) have that same knowledge.

The lack of patience with Curry had nothing to do with his background...it had to do with the fact that the guy inherited a WHOLE LOT of great players (Derrick Thomas jumps immediately to mind). While he did have an outstanding year in '89...it was largely due to the performance of a backup QB, forced into action by injury, who otherwise would have never taken the field. His teams (even in '89) weren't physical...I can't tell you how frustrating it was to watch a veteran team get pushed backwards in goal line offense...and plowed over too often on goal-line D.

I think we see Shula as a loyal, clean, hard-working coach who loves Alabama and wants to rebuild a dynasty, with his name attached to it. A coach who made it to a bowl game with what amounted to a "scout-team" offense last year. Through injuries, bad luck, bad calls, tough losses...his team fought as hard as any I can remember...with chances to beat very good teams (Tennessee, LSU, Auburn) and never backed down from any opponent.

I think we see that he wants, and is establishing, a "physical" style of football (and that's important to Bama fans) that can produce Championships when the pieces are in place...I thinking that's around 2007 (but this year's team has a chance to be special if they catch some breaks).

Like all coaches, he will be judged on wins and losses...I think we're expecting to see steady progress over the next 2-3 years while the "cupboard is re-stocked".

Yes, there will come a time when he will be expected (like all Alabama coaches) to play for a title every year. He, like all Bama coaches, will have to put his performance up against the all-time greats (Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul Bryant). Some people think that's unfair...but when you take the job, you know the deal. I guarantee you Charlie Weiss knows that one day in the next few years, he will have to have his performance compared to Rockne and Parseghian...and I'm sure that he, like Shula, wants to try and live up to those expectations...If you don't want that pressure, go to Auburn.

I think CMS has done a hell of a job with what he's had. We will eventually see whether or not he can win big...but he's got a shot...and I think the majority of the fan base is doing exactly what they should be doing.