Alabama Basketball: Avery Johnson parting ways with the Crimson Tide

It was reported on Thursday night Avery Johnson will no longer be the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

As of 10:00 CST, Thursday night there was no official news on Alabama basketball coach, Avery Johnson. No Alabama basketball beat reporters confirmed the rumors of Avery’s exit from the program until Michael Casagrande of al.com reported at 10:22 PM CST that Johnson is “negotiating a buyout for what would be a mutually agreed upon parting of ways.”

Earlier in the day, there had been widespread message board and social media chatter about Avery’s exit. Multiple Alabama basketball insiders stated exit conversations between Avery and the school began on Thursday.

There was no clear indication if Avery was faced with a resign or be fired situation. There were also no new rumors of him having accepted a position elsewhere. One guess is Avery is choosing to resign and the conversations are over a settlement the University would pay in conjunction with the resignation. Avery’s contract reportedly included an $8M buyout if he was terminated before mid-April, 2019.

Many Alabama basketball fans are ready to move on from the Crimson Tide – Avery Johnson era. Moving on is appropriate but jokes about being buckled or unbuckled are not.

Avery Johnson did some good things while the Crimson Tide head coach. He proved top recruits can still be attracted to Tuscaloosa. His teams won some big games and while doing so packed Coleman. In many ways, he rekindled lost expectations for Alabama basketball to again be a solid SEC contender. He represented the University enthusiastically and with unquestioned character.

But on the court, the promise of a better basketball future did not materialize. The Alabama basketball program needed a change. Although he may not agree in the short term, a change is probably best for Avery as well.

Some Alabama basketball fans have been guessing about the Tide’s next head coach for weeks. Put all the suggested names together and the list would be a long one. But, only one list matters. That list is in the hands of Greg Byrne and we doubt it has been hastily thrown together over the last couple of days.

Many Tide fans believe Iowa State’s Steve Prohm is on the list. As an Alabama alumnus and former Alabama basketball, graduate assistant, Prohm would certainly understand the challenges and the opportunities in Tuscaloosa.

Other bigger names have been thrown around by fans. Some are improbable, as in Brad Stevens and Rick Pitino. Kelvin Sampson and Buzz Williams would be popular choices but Sampson has baggage and Williams may be leaving the ACC for College Station.

Thad Matta and Fred Hoiberg would be home run hires. Steve Wojciechowski would be considered by many as a home run hire as well. The former Duke standout and now Marquette head coach saw his team upset by Murray State in the NCAA Tournament first round, Thursday night.

Ironically, the team that upset Marquette was beaten by Avery Johnson’s Tide earlier this season.

Official word should come from the Alabama Athletic Department early Friday. The time period for Avery’s replacement is not known. It could be days or even weeks until a new head coach is finalized.