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

(01-23-2014 03:11 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 02:34 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  He really wrote that letter on a weird angle...but other than that I have to say, he has impeccable handwriting.

He is a pretty good artist too. Just look at that Dragon logo. I bet he has been practicing drawing dragons in his spare time.

He's a lefty & they're supposed to be a little more artistic are they not???

and smarter.

(01-23-2014 04:27 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 03:55 PM)bftb Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 03:42 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  Hard truth:

McGee didn't think facilities were an issue because he didn't respect Conference USA and thought that his talent was good enough to coach UAB to a bowl game and he'd be hired away before anything could be built in the first place.

When he fell flat on his face, he found out what being a head coach really meant and realized the actual work and challenge ahead it would be to dig out wins at UAB. He tucked his tail between his legs and bolted the first chance he got...gave UAB $550,000 and got a raise out of the deal.

To McGee, UAB was a ladder with only two rungs. He made the decision to climb back down to get on another ladder with more steps towards the top. Fortunately for us, Bill Clark knows he has to make his own rungs at UAB to get to the top.

That is spot on.

I will say this: I have not been terribly impressed with Clark's answers, press conference, etc.--not nearly as much as I was our former coach. But, we saw what how much that rhetoric turned out to be worth. I don't really care if Clark says all the right things; I want him to work hard, on and off the field, instill that same work ethic in our players, and win. That will do all the talking itself.

I am behind him 100%.

What answers have you not been impressed with?

There's nothing in particular. The truth is, there's really nothing he can say that's going to mean a lot at this point.

As the Dragon said, above, "he seems to be media friendly but not overly inspiring." He's light years ahead of Callaway in his communication skills, but he's not exactly the most charismatic guy around. That's fine with me; we had our charisma, and what did that do for us? The proof will be in the pudding, not in the press conference.

My point was--and it was not intended to critical--I'm not looking for someone to sell me on himself with his smooth-talking (which is what McGee did). I want someone who will deliver, on the field, in the living room recruiting kids, and leading our program with hard work and integrity. I think Clark is that guy.

By the way, there are plenty of examples of coaches who would fit that same description. Names like, say, Belichick and Popovich come to mind, among others, including a couple of rather successful college football coaches at schools from this state. My point is, if you win, none of that matters. And, Clark has proven to be a winner, wherever he's been.

Talk is cheap. We had our two years of style over substance, and we've been given a gift that allows us a do-over. I couldn't be happier.

(01-23-2014 03:40 PM)blazr Wrote:  Dammit...forgot the blue font.

I didn't need it. It was obviously blue font to me.

Clark & staff were busy today at the high school coaches conference.

Seems like that probably is more representation than we have had in quite some time.

Talk may be cheap but there is nothing the man could say without some criticism. I thought it went about as well as it could have gone. Short of winning games there is really nothing that can be said to please the masses short of simply rolling up his sleeves and winning which obviously he can't do yet.

I almost want to say what was he supposed to say?

Again I thought it went well and I am cautiously optimistic.

He is a great interview, I think he is just not the monologue type.

(01-23-2014 05:13 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Talk may be cheap but there is nothing the man could say without some criticism. I thought it went about as well as it could have gone. Short of winning games there is really nothing that can be said to please the masses short of simply rolling up his sleeves and winning which obviously he can't do yet.

I almost want to say what was he supposed to say?

Again I thought it went well and I am cautiously optimistic.

I thought he did a very good job. I could not be more optimistic. By the way, Woodfin will prove to be a difference maker with the S&C program!

That is what I have heard.

(01-23-2014 04:55 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  and smarter.

And better looking

(01-23-2014 04:27 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 03:55 PM)bftb Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 03:42 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  Hard truth:

McGee didn't think facilities were an issue because he didn't respect Conference USA and thought that his talent was good enough to coach UAB to a bowl game and he'd be hired away before anything could be built in the first place.

When he fell flat on his face, he found out what being a head coach really meant and realized the actual work and challenge ahead it would be to dig out wins at UAB. He tucked his tail between his legs and bolted the first chance he got...gave UAB $550,000 and got a raise out of the deal.

To McGee, UAB was a ladder with only two rungs. He made the decision to climb back down to get on another ladder with more steps towards the top. Fortunately for us, Bill Clark knows he has to make his own rungs at UAB to get to the top.

That is spot on.

I will say this: I have not been terribly impressed with Clark's answers, press conference, etc.--not nearly as much as I was our former coach. But, we saw what how much that rhetoric turned out to be worth. I don't really care if Clark says all the right things; I want him to work hard, on and off the field, instill that same work ethic in our players, and win. That will do all the talking itself.

I am behind him 100%.

What answers have you not been impressed with?

I think he's just honest, where McGee spun words to try to be too positive. McGee came in here saying "we have everything here in place we need to win a conference championship." While that sounds nice, it's simply not true. I doubt we ever hear Coach Clark make a similar statement. Clark came in talking about making sure there was a commitment to making the situation better. When asked about UAB's defense last year, Clark said on the radio this morning that as a defensive coach, that makes him sick, allowing 50+ ppg. Simple truth, no sugar coating.

He could be a complete mumbler for all I care if he shuts out Troy on Little Smaug's birthday.

NO MORE "COACH SPEAK"!
I like that. Just be honest. We need facilities and its gonna take work, but if everybody does their part we'll get there.

(01-23-2014 08:04 PM)rook360 Wrote:  NO MORE "COACH SPEAK"!
I like that. Just be honest. We need facilities and its gonna take work, but if everybody does their part we'll get there.

+1

Since I was in the neighborhood, I dropped by the FB offices just to hope by chance to meet Coach Clark. As it happened, as I pulled in, I saw Clark and some guys walking from the office building into the building next to the smaller practice field. They were touring that building and after a brief hello and introduction, I left and he went back to the group. I got the impression they were seeing what UAB might need to improve that kind of facility so perhaps the ball is already in play for improved facilities.

(01-23-2014 08:22 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Since I was in the neighborhood, I dropped by the FB offices just to hope by chance to meet Coach Clark. As it happened, as I pulled in, I saw Clark and some guys walking from the office building into the building next to the smaller practice field. They were touring that building and after a brief hello and introduction, I left and he went back to the group. I got the impression they were seeing what UAB might need to improve that kind of facility so perhaps the ball is already in play for improved facilities.

Shouldn't that be FACILITIES?

I hope whatever "commitments" were made are in writing.

(01-23-2014 09:13 PM)Grammar-Nazi Wrote:  I hope whatever "commitments" were made are in writing.

Great point.......it will be interesting to see what all is in Coach Clark's contract.

(01-23-2014 04:24 PM)CajunBlazer Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 03:23 PM)thebernreuter Wrote:  He has said an awful lot, surprisingly specifically, about facility improvements happening quickly, and it's all in print media and on video. It will be much harder this time for the BOT to kick the can down the road with impunity.

What exactly did Coach Calark say about "facility improvements happening quickly". He seem to emphasis in his letter the commitments that were made to him. Do you guys know what commitments were made to him? I can't imagine our president and AD making commitments to a new coach without approval of the BOT if it requires BOT action to keep those pomises. They might got away with telling McGee that the new stadium and facilities were all but approved, but given what happened after that surely the Clark had to have better assurances.

Well, welll, well... Look what the "Clark" drug in. Longtime no see, Cajun!

I'll have an update on my blog later discussing more in detail what Clark was mentioning.