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

Whatever we were told, or thought, it looks like this - The AD search committee intended to provide an AD candidate after the ATF report came out. The ATF chose OSKR. Watts sat on that choice for ten days, two weeks worth of delay, then rejected it. ATF had to find and sign another company and CSS has to produce their report. Watts then announces a hard May 1 AD deadline at the last Faculty Senate meeting.

They are going to put an AD in place before the ATF report comes out. The odds are very good that we'll have about as much say about the AD hire as we did the Callaway hire, because everything I'm hearing indicates that the choice will be made by the BoT Athletic Committee, not the UAB AD committee.

How well did the Callaway work out for UAB?

MB, I understand we can't wait forever. But the ATF report is due back on May 15th. We've already waited this long, what will it hurt to wait two more weeks to see the results of the report? That is, if anyone in the administration actually cared about the ATF report. Making any AD hire before the report comes back only confirms they have no care for the ATF.

I think the honest concern is that a new AD puts the nail further in the coffin on football returning. A Pro-Basketball only chose who will usher UAB to a basketball only conference means it may be harder or impossible for football to return, in the foreseeable future.

True we will need an AD sooner or later, a fill in is not a true full time AD. Right now, I think, any AD chosen while Watts is here will be scrutinized. It's just the way it is. If we win in Montgomery, doesn't mean football will be reinstated immediately but it gives some hope. That hope may be 10 years from now. Just looking at it realistically.

Right now, I don't care about football or basketball, my line of sight is on BOT reform. Moving to another conference and keeping basketball still leaves us with the same problem, the BOT.

(04-22-2015 12:47 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  MB, I understand we can't wait forever. But the ATF report is due back on May 15th. We've already waited this long, what will it hurt to wait two more weeks to see the results of the report? That is, if anyone in the administration actually cared about the ATF report. Making any AD hire before the report comes back only confirms they have no care for the ATF.

My thoughts exactly. We can go without an ad until that report comes out.

Ealy is more than capable of carrying on as the interim AD for a few more weeks.

(04-22-2015 12:51 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 12:47 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  MB, I understand we can't wait forever. But the ATF report is due back on May 15th. We've already waited this long, what will it hurt to wait two more weeks to see the results of the report? That is, if anyone in the administration actually cared about the ATF report. Making any AD hire before the report comes back only confirms they have no care for the ATF.

My thoughts exactly. We can go without an ad until that report comes out.

Same here, Conference USA doesn't meet till June. They can narrow their search down and be ready with what ever action is needed after the report comes out. But let's be serious, the choice may already have been made.

They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

(04-22-2015 12:58 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

Stability helps our current coaches, but the fight is to return actual pro-UAB administrators to the ranks is incredibly difficult (as your outlined with the time it will take) we can't really surrender an inch, and this includes the AD and conference membership. The lack of stability isn't the fault of the people trying to enact reform and return football (separate, but related goals) but the fault of Watts and BoT.

(04-22-2015 12:58 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

I am in agreement with you up until the last point. We need the best AD we can find, whether they support football or not. A stooge will only be a yes man and can run people off and the program into the ground.
Even if we are forced to accept what we don't like, I would hope it's someone competent enough to run the department and not further corrode it.

(04-22-2015 01:08 PM)rook360 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 12:58 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

I am in agreement with you up until the last point. We need the best AD we can find, whether they support football or not. A stooge will only be a yes man and can run people off and the program into the ground.
Even if we are forced to accept what we don't like, I would hope it's someone competent enough to run the department and not further corrode it.

That's why I said my choice would be to remove the interim title off of Ealy. I think it provides the most stability. And no one knows better than Ealy what he is getting into.

Agree with MB but it won't happen because he supports the cut sports. I guess it's ok to say it now.

(04-22-2015 01:10 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 01:08 PM)rook360 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 12:58 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

I am in agreement with you up until the last point. We need the best AD we can find, whether they support football or not. A stooge will only be a yes man and can run people off and the program into the ground.
Even if we are forced to accept what we don't like, I would hope it's someone competent enough to run the department and not further corrode it.

That's why I said my choice would be to remove the interim title off of Ealy. I think it provides the most stability. And no one knows better than Ealy what he is getting into.

I think Ealy has earned the full time position or at least an interview. The only thing is he is so much in the situation, will he be truly allowed to do his job? Pro football or not. He has been more visible and vocal on twitter trying to promote athletics and at the games.

(04-22-2015 01:10 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 01:08 PM)rook360 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 12:58 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  They need to just remove the interim off of Ealy's title. We need stability in the office in order to move to another conference and keep the coaches we have. Haase, Getman, Shoop etc, need to feel they have a boss to report to, rather than someone who may be gone tomorrow.

Football, if it returns will not return until Watts is gone. Watts is not going anywhere until the BOT is gone. The BOT won't be gone for several years and only if we win in Montgomery. The ATF report will not change any of that. We need an AD in the meantime, even if it isn't a very good one.

I am in agreement with you up until the last point. We need the best AD we can find, whether they support football or not. A stooge will only be a yes man and can run people off and the program into the ground.
Even if we are forced to accept what we don't like, I would hope it's someone competent enough to run the department and not further corrode it.

That's why I said my choice would be to remove the interim title off of Ealy. I think it provides the most stability. And no one knows better than Ealy what he is getting into.

I didn't want Ealy at first, but have now come around to the side of "better the devil you know". Shannon knows what's happening and won't be surprised by anything that get thrown at him. Also, the job will only last as long as Watts is the prez, so the next AD might not have a long tenure.

Solomon read BlazerTalk https://twitter.com/JonSolomonCBS/status...0826517504

We may disagree on timing of the AD hire, but we can agree we need the best person we can attract to the job. As a former Sec of Defense said "You go to war with the Army you have". The new AD will "go to war" with the athletic program he/she has when taking the job. For the foreseeable future that means MBB is the sole revenue sport at UAB. The programs' level (D1 or less) will be determined later after "all the shoes have fallen" from the loss of football - this summer at the earliest.

The hiring of the next AD may be the only remaining decision UAB's athletic administration can make on its own - if that according to some pessimists / realists(?). All other major decisions are going to be made for UAB - by the state legislature, by the BOT, by C-USA, by any other conferences if the C-USA decision is negative. UAB can't even decide for itself what level it will be (D1 or something less) until we know who will invite us (and our BOT "family") to join their league.

Talty: UAB athletic director interviews begin with local candidate http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...ervie.html

(04-22-2015 12:40 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Can someone explain this to me.

Most people have said here they believe several things
1. The Task force is a farce and was set up by Watts to stall and calm down fans.
2. Even if the task force comes back with a favorable opinion, Watts is still President and will not reinstate football no matter what the task force says.
3. Even if things in Montgomery goes favorable, it will be 2016-17 before football returns.

If these things are believed, why should UAB wait about hiring an AD? I've seen that no AD should be hired before the task force rules. Why? if the task force is not going to change anything regarding football as long as Watts rules.

How long is UAB supposed to go without an AD? If you think they should go without an AD until Watts is gone, or until football returns, you are not being realistic. A new AD may be tainted by being hired by Watts, but things can't hang in limbo forever. We have to hire one eventually. If freeUAB wins, and we get a new BOT, a new president, and a new football team, then whoever Watts is hired will probably be removed anyway by the new president. In the meantime, we need an AD.

I can't understand where some of you are coming from. This is a serious question. I request serious responses.

You're trying to apply rational thinking to an irrational bunch of people. When we have members here saying that they'll just "find another school" or advocating for smashing the windows of the Administration Building, why even bother?

It will take an epic miracle of substantial proportions for football to come back at all. There is not going to be a change in administration at UAB in what anyone around here would consider a reasonable amount of time. 2016-17 would be extremely optimistic, if it ever happens. There's huge support on campus for a coup, but not so much for bringing back football. Watts' leaving is not a guarantee--by a long shot--that football comes back. I think too many people still have outsized expectations about the process from this point forward.

From Scarbo on 1.22.15

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...shoul.html

Quote:UAB shouldn't even begin to think seriously about hiring a new AD until the lingering questions about the decision to kill football, rifle and bowling are answered and an honest assessment is made of what's best for the school moving forward.

Besides, what legitimate candidate would want to walk into UAB before the football question is fully and fairly resolved? Not to mention, Jones is a member of the task force and the chair of the AD search committee. How can he do justice to both roles at the same time?

There's one more reason for Watts to hit the brakes on the AD search - and then step out of the car. The UAB president has to approve the next AD, and Watts has no business even participating in that decision. Every group of stakeholders that cares about the university has made clear its lack of confidence in Watts as a leader.

He's the wrong man to make that hire whenever the time comes, and now is certainly not the time.

It sounds like Watts may be putting the cart before the horse again with questionable intentions. That doesn't sound like a man who's learned from his mistakes.

"It sounds like Watts may be putting the cart before the horse again with questionable intentions. That doesn't sound like a man who's learned from his mistakes."

You think?

We assume the Watts hire for AD will be against football, but even Watts and the BOT can't know if the candidate will see a different side when he meets the UAB Athletics donors and supporters.

Answer this: Do you think Dick Hill, Gene Bartow, Jerry Young, Ann Reynolds, Carol Garrison, Watson Brown, and others weren't told to back off of UAB Athletics endeavors that they ultimately didn't back off of?

Obviously, Watts is trying to move on with a new AD to avoid going backwards to his football decision and worse, the decisions of the BOT in regards to UAB. That's no surpirse. The AD will be put in a tough spot when he/she realizes how volitile the situation is. He/she may know some of that already, but I doubt it has really set in for most of them.