One Mans Take

These are not my words. It is, however, a good look at the situation as some of the "message board community" is seeing it.

And I quote:

I have a had a few very good contacts that I've spoken with (really more out of luck on this specific search and the candidates involved) , but I'm not one to make a leap and announce anything is a "done deal," or pretend I know something I don't.

I'll just tell you what I know (from ultra-reliable sources) :

- A journalist contact of mine (VERY close personal friend) is a Sports Editor and covers a school with a WVU recruit (with an offer). I've been talking to him for months about how Rich Rodriguez visits the school and calls the HC of the school all the time. This goes back until the start of the college football season.

Of course, when I heard Rodriguez was an actual candidate, I wondered when he would hear something. He called me Tuesday night, right after he had talked directly, in-person with the HC. The HC had just gotten off the phone with RR. The situation RR reported to him was that Spurrier had a deal on the table, and if he didn't take it (RR said he thought he very well might) then Rodriguez himself was (and I quote) "very interested."

- I also found out about the SOS deal and the specific numbers form a great source. A very high-up with UA Football Operations. He told a former UA player. Former UA player told Former UA BOT memeber, who is neighbors with a close family friend. That is a very trusted line of communication from where I sit.

- My last tidbit, also from a very reliable source, is that Saban initiated a feeler to Alabama (not the other way around) after the MSU loss - when the Dolhins were 2-6, or close to it. This comes down the pipeline from a former associate of NS. Can't say any more than that. Again, very reliable - or I wouldn't dream of posting it.


Now for pure speculation, based on what I know:

As far as Saban being the #1 guy, I believe it and have heard it throughout. So that could mean a number of things:

1) Either the SOS ordeal was a Sexton smokescreen (very possible, if seemingly unlikely) ... and Saban is being lined up and kept out of the limelight.

WHY I WOULD DOUBT IT:

Seems too JFK-ish to me. I can understand Sexton's angle to get both clients paid, but let's get real - every TV station and newspaper in the state isn't going to report something until they get it from credible UNIVERSITY sources.


2) Saban was interested early, when the Dolphins were going nowhere, but has rethought things. Now he is backing off the job and has told UA officials the same. This could back his strong public denial, as well as the massive reports of us going on to Spurrier (our #2 guy).

WHY I WOULD DOUBT IT:

Saban is supposedly a tough, my-way-or-the-highway guy. Strong, resolute, kind of an @sshole. Don't see him wish-washing all that much. If we wanted something, my gut would tell me he would go for it. But the SOS talks have been so strong, does this mean he considered and we couldn't pony up quite enough money to sway him? This is where I start to think he could have said 'no' and we moved on.


3) UA is issuing dis-information to keep everyone guessing and to go about the search in secrecy. I can directly trace the source of the 'SOS contract details' to a person involved in the program and search, so if it came out incorrectly... it was on purpose.

WHY I WOULDN'T DOUBT IT:

If UA is after Saban, but has to wait for him. Leaking our Spurrier talk will shift all the attention there, leaving Saban to answer a few questions and go about his day. His Miami Dolphins situation with Hizenga (sp?), is likely sensitive. We don't need to protect RR. WVU knows when a big-time school comes courting, he will go. He is destined for it and they are well aware, as is ANY small school sitting on a goldmine. Another thing to consider is that RR reportedly knew about the Spurrier deal Tuesday, making it unlikey IMO that it was a false report that was leaked. This means Saban would turned down his offer, if indeed he was #1, as is being reported. There is a possibility that the report was leaked so high it got to Rodriguez, but it's far more likely that we actually did pursue to ol' ball coach.


4) We have in fact strongly pursued and been denied by Saban and SOS. Now we are, through intermediaries, working on Rodriguez (#3). We will wait until after the season, Sunday, to officially contact him ourselves. Then we'll enter into official talks with him, hammer out a contract, go see him personally, and bring him back to Tuscaloosa with us.

WHY I WOULDN'T DOUBT IT:

I know from a source that he's interested, and his public comments only strenghten my resolve in reporting it. All signs point to him taking the job. Is he willing? Most certainly. Is money an issue? Not in the least. Are we ALABAMA? The last time I checked.



What I'm looking for in a timeline:

If there's a press conference set for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - IMO it's RR.

If it's delayed longer than that, Saban could be in the works. Of course I'm pulling for the Jaguars to knock Miami out of playoff contention, to see if this adds any credence to the 'we are lining up Saban' crowd. Then things could get interesting. I guess he could jump ship early with no possibility of post-season, but I don't know how that works.

But if Saban makes us wait, I would get nervous. I don't want to put RR in a position where he can't come on board. The move needs to be made in the next 2 weeks unless we have Saban LOCKED UP, which we can't do unless it's contractual - and that's impossible until he resigns or is fired. A handshake deal makes me uneasy.

RR would continue to get heat, and would be in a position to hurt WVU's recruiting majorly if we were to leave as late as a month before signing day. It needs to be soon with him. I'd hate to see him sign an extension.


My prediction:

Monday press conference to introduce Rich Rodriguez as Bama's HC.

I have to say, Saban would be cool, but his loyalty bothers me. How long until another school comes and CNS takes off?

I am getting behind Rich Rodriguez at this point. CRR to Bama would make me a happy man!

The talk about CRR to Bama is being fueled by reports like this. It is a good read. Apparently the Governor of WV even thinks CRR is gone. I hope its not to Miami (a.k.a. Thug-U)

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...