Tide Tidbits – February 1, 2010

An interview with Alabama coach Nick Saban
Alabama coach Nick Saban recently spoke with the Orlando Sentinel and other members of the media about life after winning the BCS championship: Media: You didn’t seem especially happy in the final minutes of the championship game. Do you enjoy winning? Saban: I enjoy it tremendously. … I was still kind of into the game. And the way the game went, with [Texas] coming back like they did in the second half and getting it close. I think it was a different circumstance. When we scored right before the half, I walked into the locker room at halftime and our players are celebrating like the game is over. I jumped up on a chair and immediately tried to settle them down. Talked to them about great teams know how to come back in games, Texas has a lot of good players and we need to be ready to finish this game and play for 60 minutes in this game. We were very flat in the third quarter, didn’t get a first down, they kept fighting it and they eventually got themselves back into the game. [more]

Discipline, commitment, effort, toughness and pride the cornerstone of Alabama’s success
The University of Alabama football team was ahead by a field goal with just over two minutes to go, facing third-and-goal at the 1-yard line at the Rose Bowl, when Texas called timeout. As Crimson Tide players looked to the sideline, Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran bounded onto the field, hopping up and down with both hands extended over his head, four fingers pointing toward the sky and his thumb crossing his palm. Cochran was sending a signal that harkened back to nearly a year before when preseason conditioning drills began with grueling daily workouts. The message wasn’t the traditional “fourth quarter is ours” commonly signified by the four-finger salute late in games, but something far more specific. On the cover of the workout manual issued to UA players nearly 12 months before the BCS National Championship Game was played is the image of a gloved hand, with each digit marked with one of five values. Those five values were designated by head coach Nick Saban as the building blocks of the program from the moment he was hired in January of 2007 with the mission of taking the Crimson Tide back to the national title game. “Discipline, commitment and effort and toughness — that’s the four fingers,” Cochran said. “The thumb is pride. [More]

Four (and possibly five) Tide commitments named PARADE All-Americans
Quarterback Phillip Sims, linebacker C.J. Mosley of Theodore, defensive back Keenan Allen and defensive back DeMarcus Milliner were on the annual PARADE All-American team published today. Sims, who has enrolled early for spring semester, was one of seven quarterbacks listed, and local star Mosley was one of seven linebackers. Two of the four defensive backs named to the team were Crimson Tide commitments. The biggest preceived need in Alabama’s 2010 class was in the secondary, the specialty for both head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. [More]

Recruiting: JUCO cornerback Dequan Menzie excited to be coming to Alabama
More than two years ago, the first college assistant to speak with defensive back Dequan Menzie was Kirby Smart. So it was fitting that Menzie committed in person Saturday night to Alabama’s defensive coordinator, saying he’ll sign to join the Crimson Tide after a two-year stint at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi. “I committed over dinner,” Menzie said Sunday night. In doing so, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Menzie becomes the 26th expected addition the 2010 signing class. He originally wanted to wait until Wednesday to announce his decision, but began spreading the news this weekend. “I’m excited, man. It was everything about Alabama, as soon as I stepped on campus,” said Menzie, adding that his mother was on board with the commitment. “If my mom is happy, I’m happy.” [More]

Saban heads up top 10
Time to break down my list of the Top 10 coaches in America. 1. Nick Saban, Alabama: Is there any doubt Saban is the best coach out there? Not only is he the first to win national championships at two different schools (LSU, Alabama), he was able to resurrect the Tide program in just three seasons. He may not have won in the NFL, but he has won everywhere he has been on the collegiate level. [More]

Roll Tide!

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