10 things I like most ABout Coach Shula

Posted by Crimson Legend on August 11, 2005

10. Never lets his emotion get the best of him. (See Houston Nutt)

9. Recognizes his own limitations, and surrounds himself with experience.

8. Strikes a perfect balance between being accessible to the players yet not "friendly" to them.

7. Has never, not one time, responded negatively to people like Paul Finebaum, Kevin Scarbinsky, or even Philip Fulmer or Tommy Tuberville.

6. His cliche's are old school. We hear things like "This guy is a player", or "We just need to work harder" rather than crap like "Hold the rope" or "MTXE".

5. When the coaches go on a cruise, trip, or golf outing, we NEVER have to worry about who is sleeping in his room. It's NEVER "rolling, baby!"

4. Never panics. Never. Never blames circumstances, and never points fingers. His answer to every single loss is to roll up his sleeves and go back at it.

3. The Ole Miss game, where we ran the clock out instead of adding to the score. It made a serious impression, particularly among Ole Miss fans.

2. He's our rock. Despite being coach of Alabama in the most difficult period in history, he has never wavered. He is as reliable and consistent as Coach himself.

And my FAVORITE thing about Coach Shula:

1. I am not just proud to be an Alabama fan, and not just proud of the way we are rebuilding. When I see Mike Shula walk the sidelines, I am PROUD that my team has that kind of man as a coach - that kind of character, that kind of integrity, and that kind of class. I haven't had that since Gene Stallings, and it's one of the best feelings a Bama fan can have.


ROLL TIDE, Coach Shula!



Classic post - excellent. I'll add 2 more...
Posted by Tufnel Becket on August 11, 2005

1) I love that he and his staff clearly do their own talent-evaluation in recruiting, and go full steam ahead after a recruit that they want. This is evidenced by the fact that, not only do we not hesitate to take a shot at top national talent, but several times we have been the first major program to offer a particular player. Shula clearly does not give a hoot about recruiting magazines, or ratings, or how many "stars" a player has. He does his own evaluations (which do include academics and character), and he goes after the players he wants.

2) He is clearly in charge, and unafraid to make difficult decisions. This is refreshing. Keeping Joe Kines (and a couple of other coaches as well) after the 2003 season was only surpassed on the unpopularity scale by firing Ben Pollard. Yet Shula had a plan, and he knew who he believed in, and he didn't sell out - he did it his way.

These are all very good signs.


Another Coach Shula story you will like! RTR!!! nt
Posted by 2 4 Bama on August 11, 2005

The Alabama Alumni in Pensacola recruit outstanding students in our area to Alabama(not athletes).

Doug Allen who played at Alabama as a tailback/fullback with Coach Shula has a daughter who will be a senior this year in high school and is being recruited academically by everyone especially Princeton, Stanford, etc., of course we wanted her at Alabama.

Coach Shula found out about it since they are friends and offered to write their daughter a "recruiting" letter and other stuff, stating," that he was a pretty good recruiter!"

I also know some other things Coach Shula has done on behalf of Alabama to recruit outstanding students that had nothing to do with athletics.

Folks you do not get this sort of attention to detail, care, and sincere love of a University from most head football coaches or any coaches for that matter! He goes out of his way to do the little things and I believe he sincerely wants to.

We are fortunate to have Coach Shula at Alabama! RTR!!!