Saban Disputes Rumors He's Unhappy
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
For the record, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban says he's as happy as he's ever been at the University of Alabama. He continue with he wasn't sure about where the rumors, the internet rumors that is, came from that says he is supposedly unhappy at Alabama.
Early this week Football Scoop predicted that 2015 would be Saban's last season at Alabama. It was reported that Saban was "very frustrated" and this would not be his last coaching job. Rumors seemed to lean more to the pros than to another college stint.
Saban commented on his weekly radio show, "We are happier than ever that we are here from a family standpoint especially. "Our children both live in Birmingham, our grand baby is in Birmingham, we have a business in Birmingham. We have more friends in Alabama than we've ever had at any place we've ever lived."
He did admit there were challenges to coaching football at the University of Alabama. But the things written in that article was not true.
Saban said, "In no way, shape or form have I ever even mentioned to anybody that we weren't really happy here. I don't know where that came from."
So there it is. One would think two children and a grand baby nearby would have an effect, right. Oh, and the car dealership. Don't forget that.
We're happy with you, coach. Winning and losing is all part of it. You made us winners again.
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Comparing Bama & Badgers
Saturday's match up of the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Wisconsin Badgers is one of two teams used to winning, although Bama knows more about that little tune. Bama and Wisconsin are two of the five teams with an impressive number of wins, at least 10 in the past six seasons. The Tide has won 72, topping them all. Wisconsin stands at 60 wins over the same time frame.
The Crimson Tide enters their season-opener in fine shape, with Saban a master of season-starters. In neutral site games, Saban has led the Bama boys to an 11-4 record during his tenure at the Capstone. Most prognosticators believe it goes to 12-4 after tomorrow night's contest. Wisconsin had boasted 16 straight season opening wins until they hit the LSU buzz saw last years.
The only meeting between Bama and Wisconsin is so far back that it has absolutely nothing to do with this modern-day match up. None-the-less, Wisconsin took a home win against the Tide back in 1928. More relevant is the Tide's 67-week run ranked in the Associated Press Top-10. It's the longest active streak, and right now comes in seventh-longest overall.
Now the internet rumor. Saban laid to rest that big ol stinkin' thing yesterday. Probably started by a Wisconsin-sympathizer. "We are happier than ever that we are here from a family standpoint especially," Saban said on his radio show. "Our children both live in Birmingham, our grand baby is in Birmingham, we have a business in Birmingham. We have more friends in Alabama than we've ever had at any place we've ever lived." (See this and other comments in a related story in this blog.)
So the Bama fans that are prone to conspiracy theories and believing that if it's on the internet it must be true can now relax. Really...you can relax. Saban has compelling reasons to stay at Alabama. Besides, it's my hope that the day he does decide to retire he'll want the Athletic Director position when Bill Battle decides to step down. Be nice to have him around for well on into the future.
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Fine-Tuning The Football Machine
Prior To Season-Opener
Fine-tuning, fundamental, special teams and focusing on this Saturday's objective was what the Thursday practice was all about. Bama football put in their two hours yesterday in shells inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
The Thursday session was the 28th and final practice prior to tomorrow night's season-opener with Wisconsin. The team leaves for Arlington, Texas later this afternoon for their matchup with the Badgers of Wisconsin in the AdvoCare Classic tomorrow evening. Game time is 7 p.m. CT inside AT&T Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on ABC television with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox calling the game.
Alabama's home opener will be September 12th when they host Middle Tennessee State University. Kickoff is scheduled for that one at 3:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on the SEC Network.
*All Photos Courtesy RollTide.com
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Kim Jacob Finalist For Woman Of The Year
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The honors keep pouring in for Alabama's student-athletes. The National Woman Athlete of the Year and NCAA Division I Scholar-Athlete of the year, Kim Jacob, has been named a top-30 finalist for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year. The announcement was made yesterday.
UA head coach Dana Duckworth said, "I am so happy for Kim. She is an amazing young woman, and one that we are so proud to have on our staff. She is a shining example of the fact that at the University of Alabama, you can truly have it all."
"This is tremendous for Kim and Alabama gymnastics," former UA coach Sarah Patterson said. "Throughout her career Kim was the best of the best as an athlete, student and as a person, and this latest honor certainly reflects the impact she had on our program."
The Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership. Jacob is the only gymnast among the top-30 and is one of 10 finalist from NCAA Division I schools.
For more information on this honor as well as Kim Jacob, go to RollTide.com.
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Routliffe-Jansen Fall 6-2, 6-1 In U.S. Open
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The great run by University of Alabama tennis stars Erin Routliffe and May Jansen came to an end yesterday morning to sixth-seeded Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears 6-2, 6-1 in U.S. Open competition.
Jansen said, "We
are obviously disappointed with today’s result, but it’s hard to have
any negative feelings about this entire experience. This
has been an indescribable opportunity for both Erin and I, and we’re
only going to take away positive memories. We understand how fortunate
we are to have represented Alabama at the US Open, and we are so
grateful for the outpouring of support we have received."
"There is no doubt that they are one of the top teams in the country,” Routliffe said. "They countered really well and kept Maya and I on our toes. Like Maya said, we’ll take home the positives from this entire experience. We’ve embraced everything about this opportunity and are happy that we’ve been able to represent the Alabama program that has put us in so many situations to succeed."
"There is no doubt that they are one of the top teams in the country,” Routliffe said. "They countered really well and kept Maya and I on our toes. Like Maya said, we’ll take home the positives from this entire experience. We’ve embraced everything about this opportunity and are happy that we’ve been able to represent the Alabama program that has put us in so many situations to succeed."
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