re: Bama: Post Saban

quote:

---

Do people think Smart will get a shot?

---

I've been back and forth on this idea. On one hand, there wouldn't be much of a transition. He knows the program better than anyone, is young, and has proven himself as a pretty good coach/recruiter who knows how cutthroat the SEC is.

On the other hand, being the head coach at Alabama isn't a place where one can simply learn on the job. A good coach could get eaten alive. Its one thing being an assistant, its another thing being the man. If Alabama wants to maintain itself as a top program, is hiring an unproven assistant the best course of action? Would we hire Kirby Smart if he wasn't working for us already?

Ideally, I'd want him to go cut his teeth somewhere for a few years. Prove he could be the head man and then hire him as a HC.

As for this notion that Alabama isn't as special as anywhere else, I think history has proven that there is something that allows Alabama (and some other schools) to have a more success than most others. Not saying anyone could coach at Alabama to titles nor am I denying that luck/timing isn't a factor. I'm also not saying other schools can't have that kind of success but its obvious that Alabama has combination of commitment, passion, tradition, and resources that most other schools don't have. Alabama fans also have pretty lofty expectations which at times are unreasonable but it also helps set a standard. I wouldn't say Kentucky in basketball is "lucky" to have gotten Rupp, Pitino, Smith, and Calipari.