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How Bobby Bowden almost became Bama's coach Twice
Posted on 2/9/17 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 2/9/17 at 1:38 pm
This article bring back all the anger from young Cobrasize. I was furious at the time and it still pisses me off
Very long article
quote:
By the mid-1980s, Bowden was entrenched at Florida State. Bowl games and double-digit win seasons were the expectation in Tallahassee. The 1986 season had been a bit of a disappointment with FSU managing a 7-3-1 record but the Seminoles were invited to play in the All-American Bowl against Indiana... in Birmingham. After downing the Hoosier 27-13 on New Year's Day, Bowden was asked how long he would consider if offered the Alabama job. "Like that," he said, snapping his fingers.
Very long article
Posted on 2/9/17 at 1:43 pm to Cobrasize
The administration at that time was quite retarded. Bill Curry is still surprised to this day that he was hired over Bobby Bowden. And then you had the chance to snag him again after Curry left for Kentucky.....and botched it. Stallings turned out to be a solid coach for us but the man lived off of Curry's leftovers and that '91 recruiting class. Once the last of that '91 class left at the end of the '94 season, our offensive and defensive production began to drop dramatically over the next two seasons.
Go back and watch highlights I made of the '95 season. That offense was difficult to watch.
It could have been SOOO much different had Bowden been hired in '87 or '90.
Go back and watch highlights I made of the '95 season. That offense was difficult to watch.
It could have been SOOO much different had Bowden been hired in '87 or '90.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 1:44 pm
Posted on 2/9/17 at 1:46 pm to RollTide1987
I agree completely. Stallings didn't like to recruit.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 2:43 pm to RollTide1987
quote:
Go back and watch highlights I made of the '95 season. That offense was difficult to watch.
Stallings running off Homer Simpson after tge 94 season had a little to do with it as well. I mean the guy coached Jay friggin Barker to a Heisman invitation.
He bounced back a little bit in 96, though not much.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 2:52 pm to The Spleen
Homer Smith was there in '95. As was Bill Oliver. Many Alabama fans were excited for the '94 and '95 seasons because the supposed mastermind of the '92 defense (Oliver) was now paired with the offensive guru of the '89 season (Smith). But there was a lot of friction on that staff. Stallings and Smith didn't mesh well because of differing offensive philosophies and Oliver believed he had earned the right to be promoted to the title of Assistant Head Coach. Stallings disagreed.
As a result, Stallings completely overhauled the staff for the '96 season. Homer Smith left for Arizona and was replaced by Woody McCorvey while Bill Oliver left for Auburn and was replaced by Mike DuBose.
As a result, Stallings completely overhauled the staff for the '96 season. Homer Smith left for Arizona and was replaced by Woody McCorvey while Bill Oliver left for Auburn and was replaced by Mike DuBose.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 2:23 pm to RollTide1987
Joab Thomas and Andrew Sorenson were the presidents at those crucial times and both should have been tied to a pickup truck and drug through the streets of Tuscaloosa. Ditto the damned search committee. The problem was there was too many egos in the room. Bowden said he wasn't going through an interview process (and frankly, he had earned that right) and Alabama's people said nobody was going to be offered the job without going through the process. The problem with that stance was we needed Bowden a lot more than he needed us. He wanted to come home to Bama and retire a Crimson Tide legend. Instead, we virtually spit in his face. Worst search process EVER!
Posted on 2/10/17 at 2:26 pm to phil4bama
It still makes me furious.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 5:02 pm to Cobrasize
Alabama History.... Bryant to Bowden to Saban.
that's almost unfair.
that's almost unfair.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 10:01 pm to Lordofwrath88
But would we have gotten Saban? Bowden coached until 2009 at FSU. Saban would not have been available at that point.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 10:03 pm to BamaDude06
We would have stressed Bowden out way before 2009.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 10:14 pm to BamaDude06
I say in my perfect timeline...
Bryant coaches from 1958-1982 as per out timeline, Bowden takes over and after an expected small dip, bounces back to have Alabama dominate the late 80s and 90s before platueaing around mid 2000s.
Derek Thomas becomes the first ever defensive player to win the Heisman trophy and the first in Alabama history (Shaun Alexander becomes the second). Titles in 89, 92, 93, 99, 02 and 05.
(Unlike his time at FSU) Bowden has multiple national titles and SEC rings and decides there's not much left to do. Bobby Bowden retires after the 2006 campaign leading the Tide to victory in a BCS bowl. After much smoke and mirrors, Mal Moore lands Nick Saban as the successor to the house that Bear and Bobby built. Regular timeline resumes.
tidbits:
-Mike Shula has a stop in Tuscaloosa as an OC and turns it into a D1 HC gig. Now a dark horse to inheret the program at some point in the future.
-Bowden runs a clean ship and keeps boosters under control by giving them facility projects to keep their money busy. No 93 or 02 scandals and Alabama has top of the line digs in all sports long before Mal Moore is AD.
-Alabama lands many top talents they missed out in our timeline due to sanctions and general suckage. Chad Jackson, Justin Tuck, Ben Obomanu, etc. suits up for the Tide.
2017 is the the #RoadTo22
Bryant coaches from 1958-1982 as per out timeline, Bowden takes over and after an expected small dip, bounces back to have Alabama dominate the late 80s and 90s before platueaing around mid 2000s.
Derek Thomas becomes the first ever defensive player to win the Heisman trophy and the first in Alabama history (Shaun Alexander becomes the second). Titles in 89, 92, 93, 99, 02 and 05.
(Unlike his time at FSU) Bowden has multiple national titles and SEC rings and decides there's not much left to do. Bobby Bowden retires after the 2006 campaign leading the Tide to victory in a BCS bowl. After much smoke and mirrors, Mal Moore lands Nick Saban as the successor to the house that Bear and Bobby built. Regular timeline resumes.
tidbits:
-Mike Shula has a stop in Tuscaloosa as an OC and turns it into a D1 HC gig. Now a dark horse to inheret the program at some point in the future.
-Bowden runs a clean ship and keeps boosters under control by giving them facility projects to keep their money busy. No 93 or 02 scandals and Alabama has top of the line digs in all sports long before Mal Moore is AD.
-Alabama lands many top talents they missed out in our timeline due to sanctions and general suckage. Chad Jackson, Justin Tuck, Ben Obomanu, etc. suits up for the Tide.
2017 is the the #RoadTo22
This post was edited on 2/10/17 at 10:27 pm
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