I would like to start this article off by saying I am not a head basketball coach, but I do have a job. I am paid what my employers believe I am worth and am expected to do that job to the best of my ability every single day. What would happen if I did not perform up to the expectations set for me? I would be asked to leave. Heck, let’s all be real folks – if we don’t fulfill expectations at our job, we won’t be asked to leave: we will be told to walk out that door and expect our final check in the mail. Do we receive a nice little buyout? Not unless you count unemployment. Last time I checked that “buyout” us hardworking Americans call unemployment isn’t usually worth the gas money to deposit it in the bank. What it boils down to is that if your employer realizes he or she has made a mistake hiring you, then there is little to no financial recoil on them. You, the employee, are also not rewarded for failing at your job.
A coach at an institution such as the University of Alabama is an employee, correct? From what us hardworking Americans understand, an employee has set expectations and if those expectations are not met – or better yet exceeded – then that employee has the potential to be let go.
Feel free to stop me if you disagree.
Are we good?
Okay, here we go…
Coach Anthony Grant was brought on as the head coach of the University of Alabama Men’s Basketball team with the same expectations I assume we have for all of those who coach here in Title Town: to win. Has Coach Grant been winning enough to justify keeping his job?
Let’s put this in perspective, shall we?
If you are a car salesperson and are required to sell a certain amount of cars each quarter and at the end of the year your numbers are lower than expected, why would your employer keep your around? How would your employer justify keeping you around? Maybe this year the models weren’t that good? Could it be the economy slumping? From what I’ve read and experienced, it doesn’t matter if the models weren’t the best or if the economy is in the trash. If the salesperson could not live up to expectations, then he or she will be asked to clear out their locker and be handed their last paycheck on the way out the door.
So, if you’re Anthony Grant and have had one “good” year as the University of Alabama Men’s Basketball head coach, what can you blame it on? Do you not have the talent to perform? As a fan, I would say over the last few years that you have had the talent. Are they the best models to ever hit the market? Probably not. But just like those cars that may not be the best models ever released, you have to sell them. You have to create greatness. You have to take raw talent and create something from it. Just like that car salesperson, Coach Grant has to look at his lot, make a plan, and attack. He has to know that every day he rolls into Coleman Coliseum if he does not perform up to and beyond expectations then it could cost him his job. I don’t want any more excuses for him. Do you think the owner of a car lot cares if you’re having to sell Mercury’s or BMW’s? Absolutely not. That owner hired YOU to do YOUR job. If you are not capable of doing that job, then I guarantee there is someone else who could step up and do it better. Someone who wants to do better.
Does Anthony Grant care to do better?
According to Business Insider, Alabama is paying Anthony Grant $1,840,000 for mediocrity. The same site ranks him as the 24th highest paid NCAA men’s basketball coach in the United States. According to the national average, a majority of us hardworking Americans who have jobs with expectations and consequences get paid about 4% of that salary annually – if we’re lucky. According to Chris Walsh of Bama Online, if Alabama decides to treat Coach Anthony Grant like we are all treated – an employee of a much larger organization – then the University will owe him $1.9 million a year till 2019.
I’m sorry…what? We will owe him more than we pay him annually? Is it worth it?
YES. It is worth it. I was one of those who experienced a direct hit by the tornados of April 27, 2011. As I walked down my street the day after it hit, holding my television and my tears back, I was approached by a gentle and kind man. I still remember to do this day exactly what he said, “I’m…I’m so sorry. I am not sure what I can say to make this situation better, but I want to help.” These words were those of Coach Grant. I told him thank you for the concern, but there was nothing he could do for me and pointed toward a group of fellow survivors explaining that they may need more help. Coach Grant is a genuine person and, as a human being, he is a kind and caring ambassador for the University of Alabama. I have an immense amount of respect for him. Do I believe it was a mistake to hire Coach Grant? Absolutely not. Do I believe he is not meeting expectations and it is time to show him the door? Yes.
We can’t live up to every opportunity presented…if only we could.
We are all given opportunities in life. We do not – and cannot – be expected to live up to every opportunity that presents itself. If we did, we would be…well I don’t know what we would be because I can say with almost 100% confidence that no one has ever lived up to the expectations of every opportunity presented to him or her. Coach Grant is a great person and meeting him will be a highlight in dark time of my life that I will never forget. However, this opportunity which, at its inception, was both an opportunity for the University of Alabama and Anthony Grant has been spent. Anthony Grant has had his last chance to sell that car – it’s time to fine a new salesman.