In case you didn’t hear, the Alabama Crimson Tide recently dug a little deeper.
Following his first spring practices at Alabama, Mike Shula presented 15 awards, ranging from the Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award to the Mal Moore Leadership Award.
Moore, Alabama’s Director of Athletics, probably had a little say in the naming of that award.
What Shula did not present was the Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award because Shula feared keeping Croom’s name on the award would hurt recruiting.
Sounds like someone needs his blankey.
Alabama officials hired Shula over Croom last May and have received flak from everyone but Croom, who handled his disappointment with class and grace, two adjectives that haven’t described ‘Bama football lately.
Winning wasn’t a word often attached to Shula’s first team, either.
Shula went 4-9 with a team that returned six offensive starters and seven defensive starters from the 10-3 Tide squad.
Injuries did hamper ‘Bama, but the fact is that Shula is the only Crimson-Tide coach to lose five games in Tuscaloosa in one season.
That and Croom’s proximity as the nearest Southeastern Conference head coach to Shula’s office have Shula a little insecure about his job already.
His fear was strong enough to change the name of an award that honored Croom’s work ethic and dedication.
Shula and Alabama chose to erase Croom’s name without a phone call or explanation.
Since the integrity of an award has been compromised, I thought Alabama should add a few more awards to recognize deserving individuals:
The Mike Shula Most Insecure Coach award:
Winner receives:
A trip to see the Wizard.
It did the lion some good, maybe it would help Shula.
Not only is he the namesake, he is also the winner. If the name on a spring football award threatens your ability to coach, maybe you shouldn’t have used your dad’s name to get jobs.
The Crimson-Tide Commitment to Arrogance Award:
The reward:
A shiny mirror.
The university’s media guide is called “The Guide.”
As in “The Bible?”
The Mike Price Hospitality Award (sponsored by DeWerks LaRey):
Winner gets:
One free dance.
Price’s “room service” cost him a multi-million dollar contract. In his defense, he was reportedly shouting, “Roll, Tide!”
The Mike Dubose Creativity in Funding Players and Sharing Love around the Office Award:
Winner gets:
Fired.
Well, those are the breaks as long as the NCAA says that paying $150,000 for a linebacker is against the rules.
As for the second part of the award, no one was as commited as DuBose.
The Dean’s Award for Most Intelligent ‘Bama Fan:
The reward:
A frame for your GED certificate.
Hmmm … Bryant-Denny Stadium holds 83,818 people on game days. That being said, the search for that day’s recipient may prove daunting.
The Mullet Tribute Award:
Winner gets:
A chance to meet Joe Dirt.
From past trips to cover games, this will be the most competitive award.
The Most Disillusioned Crowd Award.
Everyone gets:
A copy of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s death certificate.
Believe it or not, he won’t be coming back.
These are merely a few suggestions. Congrats to future winners and may the names of your awards be safe.
Craig Peters can be reached at [email protected].