Coach Mike Shula Fired After 6-6 Season by JESSIE PATTERSON Trying Period Four Years Shula Led Alabama Moore Said
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GOT COACH? Who will be next in line at UA? Page 12 Is it ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘The Fountain’ a towering UA sets new record for ‘Happy holidays?’ sci-fi achievement food drive OPINIONS, Page 4 ENTERTAINMENT, Page 6 NEWS, Page 2 Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Serving the University of Alabama since 1894 Vol. 113, Issue 60 Coach Mike Shula fired after 6-6 season BY JESSIE PATTERSON trying period four years Shula led Alabama Moore said. Moore said Alabama will Bryant Hall Academic Center Sports Editor ago, and in a number to a 26-23 record Joe Kines, Alabama’s assis- immediately begin a national to inform them of Shula’s dis- ■ [email protected] of ways, Mike has been in his four-year tant head coach, defensive search for a new head football missal. an excellent represen- tenure as head coordinator and lineback- coach. “I visited with them about Mike Shula was fired as tative of our program. coach. Alabama ers coach, has been named “I am seeking a proven head this decision that was made Alabama’s head football coach, He personally has dis- ended the regular interim head coach. Kines said coach with a proven record of by myself and the administra- Athletics Director Mal Moore played impeccable season at 6-6 over- he spoke to Shula on Sunday achievement who can reach tion of this university,” Moore announced on Monday morn- character.” all, and 2-6 in the night. the level of excellence that all said. “I have asked the players “As both a player and SEC with a loss to “This is a great game, the of us desire,” he said. “I can to band together as a team ing. a head coach, Mike Auburn on Nov. 18. greatest game in America, but say that I have not talked with with oneness in their efforts “As we announced this has made tremen- Mike Shula “We did not make sometimes it’s not a very good any coach regarding this job academically, to support each morning in a press release, I dous contributions to progress on the business,” Kines said. “That’s but that process will begin in other, to maintain their sched- have informed Mike Shula our program and we field this season and just the way it works out some- the next day or so. We will start ules in the weight room and that he will not be retained always will be grateful for his have not been able to main- times. We are not going to try forming the list and ranking in workouts. We do feel we as head football coach at the efforts. He has provided stabil- tain the positive momentum to get into all of that, what we who we want to go after in have an opportunity for a bowl University of Alabama,” Moore ity for our program through necessary to return Alabama are trying to focus on is the what order.” game. We want the players said. “Mike and his staff took four years of NCAA probation, football to a place among col- players and how we can help Moore held a meeting with and our coaches to prepare in over our program during a which ends on Feb. 1, 2007.” lege football’s elite programs,” them day-to-day.” players at noon Monday at the anticipation of this game.” Taking it to Students react The to coach firing BY MEGHAN MENARD he said. Senior Staff Reporter Lauren Smith, a junior ■ [email protected] majoring in nursing, said she expected Shula to be fired. House After the Thanksgiving “I think it was a good deci- holiday, students returned to sion,” she said. “He really campus where rumors of a wasn’t doing his job.” Team wins fourth UA pro league intramural change in football coaches People think Alabama had already circulated to foot- fans compare every coach championship ball fans. Then on Monday to coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, morning, The Tuscaloosa but that is not the case, she BY TARYN ELY News announced on its front said. Contributing Writer page that coach Mike Shula “[The coach] just needs to had been fired. live up to the Alabama tradi- Twelve seconds remain on the clock. Eighty yards On Tuesday, USA Today tion,” she said. “Shula was lay in front of the player. If he doesn’t score, the team published a photo of Shula hired to win; he didn’t live up goes home, and their dreams of a national champi- with the story, “Canning foot- to his job.” onship die. ball coach can cost college She said she doesn’t think The team is up by six, but to make it to the final millions.” But no matter the the firing of Shula was based round of the tournament they have to score five price, many students said solely on this year’s losing more points. they were glad to see Shula season. Trey Hayes, quarterback of The House, one of the go. “It’s how we lost,” she said. most dominant teams in University intramural his- Benjamin Hinton, a senior “Some of the teams we lost tory, said the experience was unbelievable. majoring in chemistry, said to we could have beaten. “I was trying to be realistic and understand that he thought Shula lacked the Shula’s so conservative when the odds were against us, but the calmness in the ability to learn from his mis- it comes to play calling. We huddle was unreal,” he said. “It was like we’d all been takes. couldn’t make any big plays here before. The attitude was just that we’re fixing to “I’m really glad Christmas on the field.” go win.” in Dixie came early this year,” Smith said she had heard The ball is snapped. Hayes throws a pass to Eric he said. “Although I’m gradu- the players had a regular Rumanek, the 24-year-old running back. ating this year, maybe future meeting with Shula before he Six seconds remain on the clock. The ball is now at students at Alabama won’t be was fired and the firing was mid-field. as disappointed in Alabama not brought up. The snap is perfect. Hayes rolls right and again football as I was.” “Shula was talking about throws a perfect spiral to Stephen “Eric” Rumanek, a Drew Price, a freshman how next year was going to third year law student. Rumanek falls but holds the majoring in pre-law, said he be good, and how the next ball out just far enough to score. thinks Shula deserved one day they were going on the And just like that, The House went on to play in more year. road to start recruiting,” she another national championship tournament. “I think he didn’t get a said. “Then, later on that night without any warning, The members of the well-known intramural team CW/ T.G. Paschal fair opportunity considering they fired him. The players Corey Harris, a member of The House, looks for running room down field in the the obstacles he had to face See CHAMPIONSHIP, Page 3 men’s intramural flag football championship Monday night. coming into this program,” See REACTION, Page 2 ■ FOOTBALL Interim coach Kines, UA players hoping for a bowl bid Crimson Tide’s bowl future games, there are now nine Kines met with the media in the weight room and in another game. Independence Bowl likely was very much in the air. bowl spots for the SEC’s nine Monday, they made clear that workouts,” Moore said. “We do “Football wise, we are hop- destination for Tide Now, with LSU skyrocketing bowl-eligible teams. one of their top priorities was feel we have an opportunity for ing and praying that we get to to fifth in the BCS standings, Some have suspected the fir- getting the team ready for post- a bowl game. We want the play- go to a bowl game. This group BY DAN SELLERS the bowl situation is starting ing of Mike Shula might make season play. ers and our coaches to prepare wants to go. For the seniors Assistant Sports Editor to clear up, but it’s still not set Alabama a little less attrac- “I have asked the players to in anticipation of this game.” it’s one more chance to per- ■ [email protected] in stone. tive to its bowl suitors, but it band together as a team with Interim head coach Joe form and to do the thing they With LSU and the winner of shouldn’t keep the Tide out of oneness in their efforts academ- Kines said a bowl game have done all their lives. It’s After Alabama’s 22-15 loss the SEC Championship game the bowl picture. ically, to support each other, would do more than just give to Auburn on Nov. 18, the virtually guaranteed BCS bowl And as Mal Moore and Joe to maintain their schedules Alabama a chance to play in See BOWL, Page 2 ■ ■ ■ The Crimson White Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom — 348-6144 Fax — 348-4116 Advertising — 348-7845 www.cw.ua.edu ■ Classifieds — 348-7355 ■ Letters, op-eds — [email protected] ■ Press releases, announcements — [email protected] online 2 Wednesday, November 29, 2006 ■ NEWS CAMPUS UA sets new record for food drive students participated. to get everyone to come organizations with 27,858 Auburn still comes out “I think it went incredible together like they did,” pounds collected, while SGA on top in drive this year,” Senicz said.