Will Bama Hire Bruce Pearl? Maybe...
The future of Alabama Basketball & more specifically, Anthony Grant, has become a hot topic lately. As losses keep piling up, it is becoming harder & harder to find Grant supporters. The program's record after last night's loss to Texas A&M is it's worst in 43 years of play. So it's quickly becoming more of a question of who will replace Grant next season rather than will he be fired.
It's widely known that I've wanted Bruce Pearl at Alabama for the past 2 seasons. Though the bandwagon was pretty lonely for awhile, it's quickly becoming overloaded with supporters. And contrary to what you may read on the internet, Bama hiring Pearl is a very real possibility. With that being said, I decided to clear up the misconceptions around the Bruce Pearl debate.
I. Alabama Will Not Even Consider Bruce Pearl
False. Whether it be auburn getting sanctioned for buying quarterbacks or Bama never hiring someone like Lane Kiffin, at some point this fanbase is going to learn how dangerous it is to speak in absolutes. The tides turned a few weeks ago when boosters who matter became disgusted with the state of this program. This is Battle's first road bump & none of us can do more than prognosticate about how he will handle the situation. However, the security Grant had last month has all but disappeared. And his replacement will be a business decision. Anyone who wouldn't consider Bruce Pearl would be a pretty shitty businessman.
II. The NCAA Will Scrutinize ANY Program That Hires Pearl
The entity that jailraped Bruce Pearl a few years ago is not the same governing body of today. Anyone ever heard of Frank Haith? Just last year, the former Miami basketball coach was found guilty of failing to monitor the activities of his assistant coaches and attempting to "cover up the booster's threats to disclose incriminating information". His penalty was a 5 game suspension even though his misdeeds were far more serious than lying about a barbecue. Oh, Haith is also currently coaching in the SEC at Mizzou.
III. Basketball Sanctions Affect The Football Program
Many Pearl detractors are frightened because basketball sanctions will be detrimental to football. More specifically, if basketball gets sanctioned, the entire program will be back in the repeat violator window. Maybe we should be more concerned with our football program NOT getting in trouble. If you believe in what Saban has built, this is an irrelevant argument.
IV. Pearl- Once A Cheater, Always A Cheater
When I was in high school, I missed curfew. Man, did I get in trouble but the fun I had was totally worth the lecture that followed! So the next weekend, I was late again... Sure enough, another lecture. My parents were furious! But again, I fully bought into the risk/reward hypothesis. The 3rd time I missed curfew, I was grounded for 6 weeks. No car, no dates, no phone. I never missed curfew again. See where I'm going here? While I think it was an injustice giving Pearl such harsh sanctions, sometimes in the long run it does show us sinners the light.
Furthermore, this argument has such an auburn feel to it. This mentality is the equivalent to auburn fans saying Alabama athletics is dirty because they always have been. And the fact is, this program has gone through some pretty naughty periods. Does that doom us to always be cheaters?
V. There's Too Many Great Coaches Out There To Chance It
Name a coach of Pearl's caliber that would even consider sniffing this job. Seriously. Just one. People continue to say there's so many but I've yet to hear one realistic possibility. This basketball program has a great legacy & it can be great again with the right leadership. But we've done nothing to prove this job is a resume' builder in many years. Pearl is one of the best in the business & the reason why some don't want him at Bama is the exact reason why we have a chance to land him. Furthermore, it's a poorly kept secret that auburn is working behind the scenes trying to get him to the plains. The only scenario worse than us passing on Pearl is our biggest rival hiring him.
Coaching searches are about much more than finding a great basketball coach. Anthony Grant looked like a great hire when he first came to Bama. But being a good coach doesn't automatically mean success. The coach... The man has to be a fit for the program. Alabama's basketball program needs a leader whose personality & marketing abilities will bring back notoriety in the media & passion in the fanbase. Grant has been virtually invisible during his 5 year tenure at The Capstone. Not to mention, he looks like he's trying to figure out how to beat traffic half the time when he's supposed to be coaching. The fanbase has quit, most of the players have given up, & I'm starting to question if Grant has lost his drive as well.
Thanks for stopping by, y'all!!! Roll Tide!!! Roll Pearl!!!
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