Bill Battle:Is it Decision Time?

[Jamos]

Early into the game last night I glanced toward the reserved seating for University of Alabama dignitaries and saw Bill Battle sitting with a lady and immediately my curiosity got the best of me, was the lady President Judy Bonner. It was just the two of them with 3 other folks sitting two rows in front of them in that area so it was easy for me to sit and observe the two of them. When I say curiosity, I'm saying that I have been wondering like so many of the Tide nation about the status and future of the Alabama basketball program since the team has seemed to regress to a very mediocre team since about the middle of the season. Even more is the case of Coach Anthony Grant and his status of being a capable coach that can lead the team back into a level of competition that is highly regarded and competing in the top twenty teams in the NCAA.

Bill Battle sat very still and not too emotional with his eyes glued to the court for the most part of the game with an occasional applause for a good play by a player. I was wondering what he might be thinking as this game was very important for the Alabama team to win in order to have any chance for NCAA consideration for the upcoming tournament. I will say that his attention to the game was firm and there seemed to be very little of anything that distracted his eyes from the play of the game. Was this his usual demeanor to watch a game or was he there for a certain reason last night? Could it be that he was there to fulfill an upcoming decision that he will have to make concerning the future of the basketball program?

One thing is certain to happen though, Bill Battle will have to address the Alabama nation with a decision of whether Coach Anthony Grant is staying or leaving very soon. While strolling around Coleman last night and chatting with a few friends before the game and at halftime, there is a lot of disappointment with the fans and season ticket holders. There has been one sellout this year we all know who that was, Kentucky. Other than that game the fans have been very sparse, especially the ticket holders at the center court area on both sides of Coleman. There have been no booing toward the players at all at their sometimes lack luster play but the empty seats are what is sending the big message to the University. This is a warning signal that something about the program is very wrong and something needs to be done by Bill Battle, but the next message by the fans could be even stronger if Battle doesn't take some action, the long time season ticket holders do not renew their tickets for next season. All of these empty seats were sold for this season but I doubt that will happen next season if there is not a change in the program.

It's a shame any of this has to happen but Alabama is a proud school and winning is a tradition for them regardless of the sport. Right now I would say there are two of the programs with coaches on hot seats, basketball and baseball. Mitch Gaspard needs to have a good season this year, with all of the money that is being spent on his team, or there may be another big decision coming very soon.

All of what I have written is purely speculation on my behalf and by no means is it something that the University has indicated will happen but I do feel pretty good about my speculation and only time will tell. By the way, I could never tell if the lady sitting with Bill Battle was President Judy Bonner or not. RTR!!!       

[Chechem]

This is Home-Page worthy, Jamos.  Excellent observations!

Have an e-cred.   

[2Stater]

Thanks for the insight, J. I really feel at this point that Grant is dead man walking. It's a shame, because he seems to be such a good person, but a change is definitely needed. I don't think it will happen before the end of the season, though. Having said that, Battle needs to start the process of looking for Grant's replacement.

[pmull]

I think the program is ready for a change. The bottom line is wins and losses but Coleman Coliseum has no energy. The next coach needs to do a better job of promoting the program in addition to recruiting and coaching.

When they run the ad for the position one of the requirements should be "Coaches unable to recruit a big man need not apply". 

[Catch Prothro]

I think the program is ready for a change. The bottom line is wins and losses but Coleman Coliseum has no energy. The next coach needs to do a better job of promoting the program in addition to recruiting and coaching.

When they run the ad for the position one of the requirements should be "Coaches unable to recruit a big man need not apply". 

Recruiting is a problem, but I feel bigger problems are player development and offensive strategy.  I think Bama has the talent to show more success than we are seeing.

[Marshal Dillon]

I think the program is ready for a change. The bottom line is wins and losses but Coleman Coliseum has no energy. The next coach needs to do a better job of promoting the program in addition to recruiting and coaching.

When they run the ad for the position one of the requirements should be "Coaches unable to recruit a big man need not apply". 

Recruiting is a problem, but I feel bigger problems are player development and offensive strategy.  I think Bama has the talent to show more success than we are seeing.

I agree, player development has been almost zero under Grant & the offense involves dribbling excessively, running the clock down, then taking a wild prayer of a shot. TV announcers have been making this point for most of the season. I have been calling it the "dribbling offense" for a while.

[McBaman]

Thanks J for this thoughtful write-up.  I would change the title of this thread from "Is it time..."  to  "It is time...."  As I said in another thread, there comes a time when failure is obvious and change is needed. I can't believe CBB doesn't see it.

[Marshal Dillon]

Early into the game last night I glanced toward the reserved seating for University of Alabama dignitaries and saw Bill Battle sitting with a lady and immediately my curiosity got the best of me, was the lady President Judy Bonner. It was just the two of them with 3 other folks sitting two rows in front of them in that area so it was easy for me to sit and observe the two of them. When I say curiosity, I'm saying that I have been wondering like so many of the Tide nation about the status and future of the Alabama basketball program since the team has seemed to regress to a very mediocre team since about the middle of the season. Even more is the case of Coach Anthony Grant and his status of being a capable coach that can lead the team back into a level of competition that is highly regarded and competing in the top twenty teams in the NCAA.

Bill Battle sat very still and not too emotional with his eyes glued to the court for the most part of the game with an occasional applause for a good play by a player. I was wondering what he might be thinking as this game was very important for the Alabama team to win in order to have any chance for NCAA consideration for the upcoming tournament. I will say that his attention to the game was firm and there seemed to be very little of anything that distracted his eyes from the play of the game. Was this his usual demeanor to watch a game or was he there for a certain reason last night? Could it be that he was there to fulfill an upcoming decision that he will have to make concerning the future of the basketball program?

One thing is certain to happen though, Bill Battle will have to address the Alabama nation with a decision of whether Coach Anthony Grant is staying or leaving very soon. While strolling around Coleman last night and chatting with a few friends before the game and at halftime, there is a lot of disappointment with the fans and season ticket holders. There has been one sellout this year we all know who that was, Kentucky. Other than that game the fans have been very sparse, especially the ticket holders at the center court area on both sides of Coleman. There have been no booing toward the players at all at their sometimes lack luster play but the empty seats are what is sending the big message to the University. This is a warning signal that something about the program is very wrong and something needs to be done by Bill Battle, but the next message by the fans could be even stronger if Battle doesn't take some action, the long time season ticket holders do not renew their tickets for next season. All of these empty seats were sold for this season but I doubt that will happen next season if there is not a change in the program.

It's a shame any of this has to happen but Alabama is a proud school and winning is a tradition for them regardless of the sport. Right now I would say there are two of the programs with coaches on hot seats, basketball and baseball. Mitch Gaspard needs to have a good season this year, with all of the money that is being spent on his team, or there may be another big decision coming very soon.

All of what I have written is purely speculation on my behalf and by no means is it something that the University has indicated will happen but I do feel pretty good about my speculation and only time will tell. By the way, I could never tell if the lady sitting with Bill Battle was President Judy Bonner or not. RTR!!!       

Glad you mentioned that. Another disaster which should have been addressed last year. I hate seeing our once proud, SEC-winning baseball team unravel.


 

[SUPERCOACH]

This is Home-Page worthy, Jamos.  Excellent observations!

Have an e-cred.   

Done.

For future reference, any moderator can put stuff on the home page by clicking on the Blog link that is located all the way to the right of the post title.

[Marshal Dillon]

This is Home-Page worthy, Jamos.  Excellent observations!

Have an e-cred.   

Done.

For future reference, any moderator can put stuff on the home page by clicking on the Blog link that is located all the way to the right of the post title.

Good to see you posting. Did you see the game & if so what are your thoughts & observations?



 

[SUPERCOACH]

This is Home-Page worthy, Jamos.  Excellent observations!

Have an e-cred.   

Done.

For future reference, any moderator can put stuff on the home page by clicking on the Blog link that is located all the way to the right of the post title.

Good to see you posting. Did you see the game & if so what are your thoughts & observations?



 

I watched the game.  In my opinion it is time for a new coach.  I like CAG, and wish him well at his next stop.  I just hope the next guy doesn't waste 6 years, I'm ready for the return of March Madness.

I think it is pretty much a crap shoot.  It is about time we rolled a 7.

[Marshal Dillon]

This is Home-Page worthy, Jamos.  Excellent observations!

Have an e-cred.   

Done.

For future reference, any moderator can put stuff on the home page by clicking on the Blog link that is located all the way to the right of the post title.

Good to see you posting. Did you see the game & if so what are your thoughts & observations?



 

I watched the game.  In my opinion it is time for a new coach.  I like CAG, and wish him well at his next stop.  I just hope the next guy doesn't waste 6 years, I'm ready for the return of March Madness.

I think it is pretty much a crap shoot.  It is about time we rolled a 7.

Did you see my list of possible candidates? What did you think? The list is just a sample of the coaches out there which might be considered.

[cbbama99]

That was a great writeup, J, and a little sad, too. I remember going to the Coliseum as a kid and watching that place rock when Wimp was coaching and we had guys like Bobby Lee Hurt, Terry Coner, Michael Ansley, Derrick McKey, Ennis Watley, Buck Johnson, and Craig Dudley. It hurts now to see the CC so empty.

[N.AL-Tider]

That was a great writeup, J, and a little sad, too. I remember going to the Coliseum as a kid and watching that place rock when Wimp was coaching and we had guys like Bobby Lee Hurt, Terry Coner, Michael Ansley, Derrick McKey, Ennis Watley, Buck Johnson, and Craig Dudley. It hurts now to see the CC so empty.

If it eases your pain a bit, at least the gymnastics team can fill CC up... 

[Marshal Dillon]

That was a great writeup, J, and a little sad, too. I remember going to the Coliseum as a kid and watching that place rock when Wimp was coaching and we had guys like Bobby Lee Hurt, Terry Coner, Michael Ansley, Derrick McKey, Ennis Watley, Buck Johnson, and Craig Dudley. It hurts now to see the CC so empty.

Stop it! You're killing me with this flood of great memories & the sad reality of now.


 

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