Opinion: Playing the football blame game
Posted on Nov 22, 2010 in Sports
One week ago a loyal UAB supporter sent out a letter expressing his concern over the state of UAB Football. There seem to be rumors about why head coach Neil Callaway is still in his position, as people continue to blame him for the mediocre play that is becoming a norm each season. I will counter that question with another question for these so-called “football experts”: can you name for me our offensive and defensive coordinators?
Before you google it, they are Kim Helton and Eric Schumann, respectively. Let’s face it, the head coach is vital; however, no matter what coach you have, he is still only one piece of the puzzle. The offensive and defensive coordinators should both be just as widely known as the head coach, which is just not the case here in Birmingham.
Think of Auburn and Alabama; some people can name their graduate assistants, much less the coordinators. Junior quarterback Bryan Ellis broke out his talent in the middle of the year and without a doubt will have a big season next year, but are you really telling me that the offensive coaches did not see this talent in the off season?
On the defensive side of the ball, there seems to be a misconception on where the strength is. The front seven look very good at times and the secondary is a bit lacking; however, you will still find blitzes hard to come by, which inevitably leaves the secondary exposed and picked apart for big plays. So who is to blame honestly? Have people ever thought that the entire stock of blame is pointed toward coach Callaway because that is the only coaching figure UAB doubters know?
I am not putting this on the coordinators, but it is completely unfair to put this all on Callaway. If you are still not convinced, ask this question: Who is going to replace him? Terry Bowden or Jeff Bowden at North Alabama, no; Rush Propst, no; Jimbo Fisher, oh wait, we already tried.
UAB cannot get a good coach to come to Birmingham because obviously they do not want to come here…not really. Rewind to 2006– UAB aggressively tried to get Jimbo Fisher, who wanted to come here, to fill the coaching vacancy left by coach Watson Brown’s resignation. Unfortunately, there are two letters that are detrimental to the Birmingham football program: UA, as in the University of Alabama.
The University of Alabama board of trustees blocked the move to bring Fisher to UAB due to “insufficient funds,” although many people with common sense will not hesitate to say that the University of Alabama will not allow any program in the state to become a threat to the Crimson Tide’s push for success – not if they can control it. Knowing this, people should have another answer ready for the question of who will replace coach Callaway if he is sent out the door. UAB has a better chance of getting a church-league coach than any coach that will have an immediate impact by name alone.
The direction UAB must work toward is making the best of the situation the school is in now. Why not an on-campus field for UAB football? Two great things would come from an on-campus stadium: attendance and appearance. The heart of college football support comes from the students, so a field within walking distance of dorms and apartments would without a doubt bring more student support to the games.
The most important thing in my eyes that an on-field stadium would bring is the general appearance of UAB football support. Isn’t Bartow Arena always packed out because of the great support? Put the same number of people in many other college arenas and less than half of the capacity is filled. It is simply a great illusion in which the right number of people attend to provide an electrifying atmosphere.
Take Legion Field and add UAB support and you get 15% capacity, and that is being nice. A smaller stadium on campus, like that of Samford or Troy, would fit UAB much more appropriately. Recruits would come to games and see the stadium “packed out.” When this happens, I believe there will be a better chance for the growth of Gang Green, and it may bring some actual pride to UAB football fans.
The last thing UAB football must do is simply win. The only way we’ll see less Florida and USC gear on campus (eliminating Auburn and Alabama gear is just too far–fetched for right now) is by having a successful program. We cannot have a team that loses to Florida Atlantic to open the season. Do not listen to the lies…the talent is here.
There are many talented athletes on this roster, but a mix of better game play strategy and much improvement in closing out games will ultimately turn this program around, so let’s not hurriedly push our coaches out the door. Instead, let’s work with what is here now. Time is key, and small correct steps will eventually build into a stairway to success for the Blazers. If we do not learn to follow this, the only trophy UAB will win is another Battle for the Bones.
Email: tabdalla@uab.edu
