Hail Mary for Maurice Smith from Media Results in Interception
By Chris Hale
When Nick Saban made his decision on Maurice Smith, it wasn’t a bright decision to get the media involved because it’s a losing battle.
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The more I read about this Maurice Smith story, the more confused I get. Have folks really not paid any attention to the way that Nick Saban does things especially since he has been in Tuscaloosa?
Here is the harsh truth for some of the ones that refuse to admit it and recognize it. Nick Saban gets paid $7 million per year to win college football games, prepare players for the NFL and/or life, and to help them receive a college education.
In the case of Maurice Smith, he has received what he was supposed to receive. He will have a college degree and he has the opportunity to attend any college not in the Southeastern Conference to get more playing time since he feels he isn’t getting that in Tuscaloosa.
Here is the other part of that, too. Nick Saban is still taking care of what he is supposed to so that he earns his salary.
In his case, you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. He would get blamed for not following the rules and in cases like this, he gets blamed FOR following the rules. I wish the media would hurry up and pick a side where he is concerned. The back and forth is rather tiresome. I know where it comes from, though. Nick Saban and Alabama means clicks. Get them how you can.
If you are the parent of a college kid that emails the head coach over playing time in the middle of a national championship season, that’s mistake number one. This isn’t little league sports. Not everyone will get to play. There will be no pizza and ice cream parties to celebrate at the end of the year.
Mistake number two is simple. The rule was pointed out to you and you were told that special circumstances could be made for non-athletic reasons. Playing time sounds pretty athletic to me. You also knew how steadfast Saban is when he has made a decision. What made you think that the media would force him to change his mind and wave the white flag? It sounds like sour grapes to me.
The same media members vilifying Saban now will be the same one there to massage his back (I cleaned that up) when he wins his next national title.
His stance has been made public. Whether you choose to accept that or not is on you.
I can hear the rebuttals now. Saban is only limiting the transfer choices because he is only thinking about Alabama. You’re damn right. That’s what he gets paid to do. If Smith had no other options, I probably would side with you. But he has options. Perhaps another email would help.
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I can say this from my vantage point. Saban is doing what he thinks is best for the Alabama Crimson Tide program. That’s my coach. The doubling down with the media probably hurts any chance that Smith may have had. Meanwhile, Alabama has a national title to defend. It’s a business. Not Little League.