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So! They fired Gus Malzahn. Both are true:
-- this is not the decision I wanted, or would have made
-- the relief at putting 4 years of intra-fanbase screaming matches over Gus's future behind us is borderline inexpressible
-- this is not the decision I wanted, or would have made
-- the relief at putting 4 years of intra-fanbase screaming matches over Gus's future behind us is borderline inexpressible
I must also acknowledge that in the absence of the obscene amount of money owed on his contract or the pandemic that makes spending that money on his removal seem...misguided, it's possible I'd be arguing for his removal myself.
We've had 3 seasons--one of them COVID malarkey, but still--since Kerryon and the 2017 OL departed. We've seen experienced QBs, star WRs, stud RBs, an OC change, etc.
At no point has Gus's O looked capable of doing the things necessary to make 2013 or 2017 happen again.
At no point has Gus's O looked capable of doing the things necessary to make 2013 or 2017 happen again.
2019 was a success, hands-down, a 10-2 team if the SEC schedule rotation coughs up literally any of the 11 possibilities other than "at Florida."
But even that was fueled by a supremely talented D that may not have come Gus's way again.
But even that was fueled by a supremely talented D that may not have come Gus's way again.
My opinion, regardless: Gus is too good a dude not to offer him the longest leash reasonably possible. This seemed reasonably possible. https://twitter.com/joshdub_/status/1338556063243792386
But whether it was now, this time next year, the year after that, Gus was getting fired. It was inevitable. It's been inevitable, in some sense ever since large chunks of the fanbase watched Chandler Cox take a wildcat snap and afterwards couldn't see anything else
So the question is timing, and expense.
I believe the $21 million in question could be put to much, much better use. But it's not mine, and I long ago abandoned any expectation those to whom it does belong would agree with me on how to spend it, so.
I believe the $21 million in question could be put to much, much better use. But it's not mine, and I long ago abandoned any expectation those to whom it does belong would agree with me on how to spend it, so.
I should also note that if we believe--and I do--that Allen Greene is the correct choice to lead this athletic department, he should have the opportunity to make his own hire when it comes to his most important employee.
So in one sense, this feels too early. In another, the happy happenstance of saying goodbye to Gus Malzahn on this note rather than the misery of some future defeat to Alabama feels exactly right https://twitter.com/FormerMrTRM/status/1337982119134507009
Godspeed, Gus. Thanks for everything. War Damn Eagle, always.
(I should have more cohesive thoughts/pretentious sentences at TWER later this week, but no promises on a timetable.)
