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Shula era begins in Tuscaloosa By Pat Forde Special to ESPN.com |
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Alabama Crimson Tide
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Coach: Mike Shula (1st season) 2002 overall record: 10-3 Conference record: 6-2 Returning starters Offense: 6, Defense: 7, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Shaud Williams* (921 yds) Passing: Tyler Watts (1,414 yds) Receiving: Sam Collins (553 yds) Tackles: Brooks Daniels* (110) Sacks: Antwan Odom* (10) Interceptions: Charlie Peprah* & Waine Bacon (4 each) Outlook: The program formerly known as ALABAMA has become a lower-case laughing stock, which only goes to show that it can happen to anyone. In these slippery times, even a school that claims 12 national titles of one form or fashion can wind up utterly humbled. Mike Shula is the latest tourniquet applied to stop the bleeding which began with a major scandal under Mike DuBose, continued through Dennis Franchione's hit-and-run dash to Texas A&M and culminated with Mike Price's tenure, which lasted no longer than a lap dance. As an Alabama alum, Shula at least knows what he's getting into -- both the grim probation and the grand tradition. And the good news is that Franchione had things moving in the right direction before departing. There is a tough-minded and fairly talented core of veteran players here, trying to build something amid the rubble. Several proven members of a fantastically physical front five on offense and front seven on defense are back. Alabama excelled in the trenches, ranking fourth in the nation in rushing defense and 18th in rushing offense. Those are good foundations for a rookie head coach to lean on. Quarterback figures to be sophomore Brodie Croyle, who began fulfilling his manifest destiny of starring at his father's alma mater last year as a redshirt freshman. Croyle threw for more than 1,000 yards as a sub for Tyler Watts, but completed only 49 percent of his passes. He should have the job to himself this year, though Shula has been impressed with backup Spencer Pennington so far. Croyle will have a bunch of proven receivers to throw to in Triandos Luke, Dre Fulgham, Antonio Carter and Zach Fletcher. Croyle has the arm to go deep, and these guys have the legs to run under it: Luke had six catches for 25 yards or more, and Fletcher averaged 27.6 yards on his seven receptions. The running duties go to Shaud Williams, a little guy who is surprisingly tough. The 5-foot-8, 189-pound Williams ran for more than 900 yards last year in a crowded backfield. Keep an eye on: How Shula holds up. The guy with the famous coaching surname could not walk into more difficult circumstances: He's never been a head coach, he's never been a college coach of any kind, he's the second-youngest head coach in Division I-A at 38, he did not go through spring practice with this group, he had to throw together a staff and a playbook at the 11th hour, and he's taking over what might be the most passionately scrutinized job in college football. Other than that, no worries! But Shula at least has some real veterans on his staff in Dave Rader, Joe Kines and Sparky Woods. And then there's daddy Don, who has attended a few practices already this August. Not a bad Answer Man to have in case of emergency. Key game: Arkansas at Alabama, Sept. 27. The game caps off an unheard-of five-game home stand to open the season. If things are going well in Camp Shula, the Tide will enter that game 3-1. If they're not, it could be as bad as 1-3 -- with a trip to Georgia the next week. Either way, this figures to be a key measuring stick of where Alabama stands in the West. One of the best things Franchione did in Tuscaloosa was to rough up the Razorbacks: the Tide has walloped the Hogs by a combined 39 points the last two years. It's a good year if. . .: From the outside, the most you can demand of Alabama this fall is to simply play hard and conduct itself with dignity. Of course, on the inside, where Crimson Tide fans live and die with every down, the expectations are always high. But given the exceptional turmoil of 2003 and the continuing postseason ban, the Tide faithful should be happy with a winning record and some solid indications that Shula really was the right man for the job. If there's anything this battered program needs, it's some continuity and stability. Pat Forde covers college football for the Louisville Courier-Journal.
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