The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(11-15-2014 11:34 PM)Blzer4Life Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

He has to do noting of the sort. All he needs to do is stand up and ask for the commitment of the President to facilities and an OCS that HIS ATHLETIC DEPT is lacking.

But, in his words, it's "Premature to speculate?"

Mackin is standing around like a boob.

Premature Speculation?

(11-15-2014 11:41 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

The president had a chance to tell us all to stop being paranoid and that football wasn't going anywhere, and he tanked it.

Exactly. No AD or school president would sit there and allow a rumor of shutting down football to continue if it wasn't true. Every other program in the country would've smashed a rumor like that immediately. At the very minimum, shutting down football is an option they are considering. At the worst, shutting down football is a done deal.

(11-15-2014 11:50 PM)Shrack Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:41 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

The president had a chance to tell us all to stop being paranoid and that football wasn't going anywhere, and he tanked it.

Exactly. No AD or school president would sit there and allow a rumor of shutting down football to continue if it wasn't true. Every other program in the country would've smashed a rumor like that immediately. At the very minimum, shutting down football is an option they are considering. At the worst, shutting down football is a done deal.

Agree 100%. If they weren't AT LEAST considering it, they would have made a statement that UAB Football was here to stay and the Report/Study is being used to see what is needed to help the program succeed and move forward. Due to that not being said, I unfirtunately believe self-imposed death penalty is being considered.

Also, was our DA of an AD at the game tonight? He's usually handing out basketballs to donors or corporate sponsors but didnt see any of him tonight.

(11-15-2014 11:41 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

The president had a chance to tell us all to stop being paranoid and that football wasn't going anywhere, and he tanked it.

I hear you. But even if Mackin was told to toe the line, no one would have told him to use the phrase "most exciting era of UAB athletics" in our history in the context of not assuring us that football will be part of it. To me, adding that line into his official statement took Mackin from stepping over the bleeding guy on the sidewalk to stopping to kick the guy in the nuts...and take his wallet.

To be clear, if all the pieces of information various people know to be true fits together as we suspect, Brian Mackin told UAB fans & supporters that playing basketball in a drastically lower-profile conference and diverting all efforts into becoming a soccer "powerhouse" would comprise the "most exciting era of UAB athletics" ever. This from a man who was playing baseball on the Southside in the 80's when Coach Gene was capturing the attention of the entire nation, so it's not like he's some outsider who's has no perspective on what came out of his mouth.

That one comment by Mackin is where I'm finding the tiniest ray of optimism in this steaming pile of Finis.

If they kill football, I really don't care what happens to Mackin, because he, like the rest of my alma mater, will cease to be of interest to me.

I think we all would welcome being made to look like idiots in this.

(11-16-2014 09:09 AM)Smaug Wrote:  That one comment by Mackin is where I'm finding the tiniest ray of optimism in this steaming pile of Finis.

If they kill football, I really don't care what happens to Mackin, because he, like the rest of my alma mater, will cease to be of interest to me.

Every bit of this!.... "Steaming pile of Finis?" I like that!

(11-16-2014 09:14 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  I think we all would welcome being made to look like idiots in this.

Definitely wouldn't be my "first rodeo" in this regard. I'll gladly eat my words and wash them down with a pitcher of if I'm wrong about all of this, but until then, this is what I do best...#Rant!

(11-15-2014 11:47 PM)blazinrunner Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:34 PM)Blzer4Life Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

He has to do noting of the sort. All he needs to do is stand up and ask for the commitment of the President to facilities and an OCS that HIS ATHLETIC DEPT is lacking.

But, in his words, it's "Premature to speculate?"

Mackin is standing around like a boob.

Premature Speculation?

I guess the party is over!

(11-15-2014 11:47 PM)blazinrunner Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:34 PM)Blzer4Life Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 11:10 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  Gotta love the bravado. First of all, nobody on this message board knows for sure what the crap is going on. That's a fact. But if the death sentence for UAB football has already been issued as some on here think, what is Mackin supposed to say or do without publicly dissing his boss and committing career suicide? This decision will be made by someone in a higher pay grade with or without his support and public statements.

He has to do noting of the sort. All he needs to do is stand up and ask for the commitment of the President to facilities and an OCS that HIS ATHLETIC DEPT is lacking.

But, in his words, it's "Premature to speculate?"

Mackin is standing around like a boob.

Premature Speculation?

:lmfao:Trans: Evasive Maneuvers! Leaders are expected to "take one for the team" sometimes (that's just the way it is), the captain is supposed go down with the ship, Mackin appears to have his life raft on standby while the "USS Blazer" sinks to the bottom of the sea.

That's just the way it is, too. Like it or not, he's the "face of the franchise." If he was in it just for the money and the perceived "power" behind the title, then he got in it for all the wrong reasons. Now everyone can see "the man behind the curtain", al a "The Wizard Of Oz."...It's just an illusion...A fraud...

(11-15-2014 05:21 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Not to completely let Mackin off the hook, but it is a fact that he is what compares to a midranked officer (like a major) when top command people (the ones with stars on their epaulets) are really making all the decisions about policies. Remember - They are the ones signing his paychecks, not the fans. "If it was ME, I wouldn't let the potential loss of my job keep me from coming out with public statements contrary to those of my bosses" is much easier to say than to do.

I don't know that he would be able to count on "whistle-blower" protection if he broke ranks with those above him in the chain of command.

I agree Bamablazerfan. Everyone here is expecting Mackin to "take one for the team" just so they can have more information on UAB athletics future. Not one of you would sacrifice your livelihood for what most on this board are wanting. If you say you would, then you are lying for the sake of staying up on that high horse of yours or you have some other financial support to fall back on.

(11-16-2014 10:06 AM)GreenGiant67 Wrote:  

(11-15-2014 05:21 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Not to completely let Mackin off the hook, but it is a fact that he is what compares to a midranked officer (like a major) when top command people (the ones with stars on their epaulets) are really making all the decisions about policies. Remember - They are the ones signing his paychecks, not the fans. "If it was ME, I wouldn't let the potential loss of my job keep me from coming out with public statements contrary to those of my bosses" is much easier to say than to do.

I don't know that he would be able to count on "whistle-blower" protection if he broke ranks with those above him in the chain of command.

I agree Bamablazerfan. Everyone here is expecting Mackin to "take one for the team" just so they can have more information on UAB athletics future. Not one of you would sacrifice your livelihood for what most on this board are wanting. If you say you would, then you are lying for the sake of staying up on that high horse of yours or you have some other financial support to fall back on.

You do know Brian is from a very wealthy Mountain Brook family, right? His father was long-time President and Chairman of First Alabama/Regions Bank. He was hand-picked by Richard Scrushy to fund-raise for UAB athletics because of his ties to the posh Birmingham crowd. I seriously doubt his family would miss any meals if he grew a spine and made a stand that cost him his job.

And he might not want to sacrifice his livelihood, however excessive one might think it is. Maybe he was promised something for his silence. My point was that many here are turning their anger toward Mackin for being silent when they would have likely done the same thing if they were in his shoes. There are a lot of "wanna be martyrs" here.

Something for your silence vs dignity.

Interesting options there.

(11-16-2014 10:21 AM)GreenGiant67 Wrote:  And he might not want to sacrifice his livelihood, however excessive one might think it is. Maybe he was promised something for his silence. My point was that many here are turning their anger toward Mackin for being silent when they would have likely done the same thing if they were in his shoes. There are a lot of "wanna be martyrs" here.

You're right, and my own life's experiences has taught me not to be so flippant with other people's jobs.

I have grave concerns about Mackin, but I'm not carrying his burdens.

If anyone's job should be on the line, it should be Watts', and I mean that will all veracity.

Even if things work out for the better, we may not be able to overcome our ideas & opinions about Watts & Mackin in this whole process & they may be tarnished as a result of this even if they were somehow innocent.

If we come out of this with an OCS, I'll say, "You crafty bastard!" and the first over-priced watered down Coke at Bartow-Garrison Stadium will be on me.

(11-16-2014 10:53 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Even if things work out for the better, we may not be able to overcome our ideas & opinions about Watts & Mackin in this whole process & they may be tarnished as a result of this even if they were somehow innocent.

How do they get tarnished because you were half-cocked?

What's wrong with just finding out before shouting "fire" in a crowded theater?

I would probably purchase 2 additional season tickets out of our 6 already just for the heck of it.

(11-16-2014 10:56 AM)AnimeBlazer Wrote:  

(11-16-2014 10:53 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Even if things work out for the better, we may not be able to overcome our ideas & opinions about Watts & Mackin in this whole process & they may be tarnished as a result of this even if they were somehow innocent.

How do they get tarnished because you were half-cocked?

What's wrong with just finding out before shouting "fire" in a crowded theater?

If it came out that OJ was actually innocent (if you thought he was guilty) would your opinion of him change?