From Coach to Commentator?

I noticed yesterday that many were coming to my post “One Six Short” from a site called keepmikeshula-swicki. Turns out that people searching the term “Mike Shula” at a blog named keepmikeshula.com were landing on Ocular Fusion, and that was my first indication that something was in the air. Don’t be fooled by the name–the authors of this blog have tongues firmly planted in cheeks. In fact, it contains some of the most deliciously wicked satire that I’ve read in quite some time.

There are confusing signals this morning as to whether Crimson Tide Head Coach Mike Shula will survive a disappointing 6-6 season and his overall 26-23 record over four years at Bama. The Huntsville Times says he’s staying, citing a “knowledgeable source.” The Mobile Press-Register writes that he’s “in limbo,” while anti-Shula bloggers say he’s as good as gone. Paul Finebaum, in a typical Tide taunt, upbraids the Crimson Nation for not seeing the light sooner (for you outsiders, Finebaum is a carpetbagger who rates just below Beelzebub himself in Alabama popularity polls).

Possible replacements? The following names are making their way through the rumor mill: Steve Spurrier, Tommy Bowden and Nick Saban.

I asked University of Alabama President Dr. Robert Witt about Shula’s status this past Friday before the Iron Bowl as we were touring the University with Number One Son. Well, no, actually I tossed him a softball question about the pros and cons of a small liberal arts university versus a large state university, but I was tempted to ask about Shula.

Mike Shula is a nice guy, but of course in college football, nice guys don’t necessarily win Iron Bowls or national championships. Saying a college football coach is a “nice guy,” is a little like saying that blind date you’re about to go out with has a “nice personality”–we all know what that means. Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, with that annoying, perpetual smirk of his, has never been accused of “being nice,” and look how far that’s got him (four fingers and now the dreaded thumb too).

Mike Shula came in at a very difficult time in Alabama football history and deserves credit for cleaning up a scandal-ridden program. He gave it “the old college try,” but it may be time to allow a more experienced adult to take over the wheel now. The case can certainly be made for giving him another year to right the ship, but I’m not sure cooler heads will prevail in this instance.

If he does stay, he needs to stop calling his own plays and hire an offensive coordinator who can get the job done inside the red zone and probably go at least 10-2 with a win over Auburn to keep his job. And he needs to spend some time looking in the mirror working on that facial expression–a deer-in-the-headlamps look on the sideline just doesn’t inspire the troops to fight. I would suggest copying Tuberville’s scowl and smirk.

Hey, if they can him, don’t cry him a river or anything. With a four million dollar contract buyout, Shula would be set for life and then have the time and space to plan his next move. Many a coach has lost his job, learned from his mistakes and then moved on to success at another school, and I see no reason why Shula would be the exception.

Besides, there are always those cool commentator jobs (see Bill Curry).