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Stephens excited about Saban
That is because he coached high school football for many years and he played under legendary coach Bear Bryant during the early 1960's, a period when the Tide was a dominant force in the country. Last week the school hired Nick Saban to replace fired coach Mike Shula to try and get the Crimson Tide back to that place of honor. "I think he can be the long term fix for this program," Stephens said. "Listening to him during that first press conference was like night and day from when Shula was hired." But Stephens is quick to defend the job Shula did while in Tuscaloosa. "Mike (Shula) took us through the tough times," he said. "The program is in much better shape now than when he was hired....a whole lot better. "And I do not agree with the way his firing was handled, it was just bad timing" Stephens added. "That was a crucial time for the team and the school. They were getting ready for a bowl game and the high school recruits were looking at visiting. It could have ended much worse than it did.
Stephens also applauded the work of Athletics Director Mal Moore. "He was able to get the man he wanted the whole time," he said. "So many people were quick to judge him on ten job he was doing. Now I think he has proven himself in hiring Saban." One of the things that jumped out about Saban to Stephens came in that initial press conference. "He shows that he knows how to handle himself," He said. "Just listening to what he had to say about where he wanted to take the program said alot about the man. "Plus I think it is good that we are getting outside blood that has such a strong ethic," Stephens added. "You could tell that he will be the one in charge. He surrounds himself with good people who want to work and there will be discipline." The key to a strong program is bringing in great players year in and year out and Stephens can see Alabama getting back to that point.
"You won't see players like Jamarcus Russell leaving this state now," he said. "Saban will be able to evaluate that talent and keep them in this state. His hiring has renewed interest in this state for Alabama football already," Stephens concluded. "I can see a return to way things were when teams like Alabama helped rule the landscape in college football and Saban will be one of the main reasons.
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