Bammer loses another coach

[Tiger Wench]

Did not realize their turnover this year was this bad...

More turnover for Tide as Cignetti takes D-II job
Posted by Jerry Hinnen

After Alabama followed up their national championship season with a disappointing -- by preseason No. 1 standards, anyway -- 10-3 campaign, it's no surprise that the Crimson Tide underwent some mild turnover on their coaching staff. Defensive line coach Bo Davis was hired away by Texas for the same position without what seemed like much resistance or counter-offering from Nick Saban and the Tide. And offensive line coach Joe Pendry retired, to be replaced -- immediately -- by former Miami assistant Jeff Stoutland.

If Davis and Pendry were fully committed to staying in Tuscaloosa, they probably still would be. But after the Tide arguably underachieved this season along both lines of scrimmage, and given how prepared he appeared to be for their departures, it's also doubtful Saban lost too much sleep over those changes.

But there's now fewer than two weeks remaining before Signing Day, and if losing two coaches might be useful to keep the staff fresh and motivated, replacing a third of your assistants in one offseason probably qualifies as a headache. And it's now a headache Saban will have to deal with as Tide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti has taken the head coaching job at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Unlike Davis and Pendry, Cignetti's motivations are perfectly transparent; IUP is the same school where his father Frank Cignetti coached for 19 seasons. But also unlike Davis's and Pendry's departures, Cignetti's decision leaves Saban scrambling (well, for a given definition of "scramble") to have the position filled before Signing Day. And though few coaches would say no to drawing a Crimson Tide salary and coaching Tide-grade talent, the lateness of the vacancy means the pool of candidates might be somewhat shallower than it would be otherwise.

Even those concerns would usually be trifling ones for Saban's well-oiled machine, but that machine is showgin some minor wear-and-tear on the recruiting trail for what might be the first time in Saban's Capstone tenure. Blue-chip in-state linebacker-slash-running back recruit Brent Calloway recently flipped his commitment from the Tide to Auburn. Major wide receiver recruit Malcolm Mitchell chose home-state Georgia over the Tide last night, despite speculation he had been an Alabama lean. And there are indications the Tide may be unable to pull the nation's consensus No. 1 recruit, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, away from hometown South Carolina.

Arguably no program in the country is better-equipped to withstand those kinds of setbacks, or whatever other setbacks might arise as a result of Cignetti's exit. The Tide will be fine. But when the expectations are nothing less than annual contention for a national title, even minor stumbles can prove to be major developments.

[Snaggletiger]

Looks like a logical move. Gots to sux right before signing day though.  Bammers on board, will this cause any defections in your opinion?

[The Prowler]

Receiver Coach and Recruiting Coordinator....That'll leave a mark.

$5 says you'll see A Lot of bammer bloggers wanting Coach Troop.

[Token]

Good for him.  Oddly enough, I thought he had already left for a different head coaching position.  I don't see it making a difference.

[Townhallsavoy]

If Davis and Pendry were fully committed to staying in Tuscaloosa, they probably still would be. But after the Tide arguably underachieved this season along both lines of scrimmage, and given how prepared he appeared to be for their departures, it's also doubtful Saban lost too much sleep over those changes.

So fickle. 

Davis and Pendry helped coach two offensive lines (2008 and 2009) that absolutely dominated and were praised as integral parts of one of the best coaching staffs in the country. 

They leave after a 10-3 year, and now the Alabama writers are claiming Saban ain't worried and that Saban has a plan. 

So homer.

[JR4AU]

So fickle. 

Davis and Pendry helped coach two offensive lines (2008 and 2009) that absolutely dominated and were praised as integral parts of one of the best coaching staffs in the country. 

They leave after a 10-3 year, and now the Alabama writers are claiming Saban ain't worried and that Saban has a plan. 

So homer.

In fact, there are lots of coaches out there that would bend over and take it up the ass to build their resume.  This gives them just that chance.  He'll find good help in a young up and coming type.

[Token]

Lance Taylor is being rumored, whoever he is. 

[JR4AU]

Lance Taylor is being rumored, whoever he is.

Former GA at bammer, been to Appy State, and the NY Jets since in the last couple of years.

[djsimp]

Former GA at bammer, been to Appy State, and the NY Jets since in the last couple of years.

I think he is talking about the guy from JOX Roundtable. 

[Buzz Killington]

Lance Taylor is being rumored, whoever he is.

The guy from the WJOX Round Table?  I guess they really want to be a part of Club LT...

[AUChizad]

Well, this is proof positive that the NCAA sanctions are coming down on Bammer hard.

Just trying to use some of the logic we would not hear the end of if even one of our assistant coaches left this year, instead of the borderline miraculous feat of staying completely in tact for three years in a row.

[JR4AU]

I think he is talking about the guy from JOX Roundtable. 

I actually think he's talking about the former bammer walk-on WR, that was a GA under Saban, left for Appy St., and is currently with the Jets. 

[Token]

I actually think he's talking about the former bammer walk-on WR, that was a GA under Saban, left for Appy St., and is currently with the Jets.

Yeah.  The Lance Taylor currently with the Jets.  Or Tee Martin.  Both of those are internet rumors though.

[djsimp]

I actually think he's talking about the former bammer walk-on WR, that was a GA under Saban, left for Appy St., and is currently with the Jets.

Of course he was, tis was a joke.

[RWS]

Bammers on board, will this cause any defections in your opinion?

I think we will be OK.

[No Huddle]

Looks like a logical move. Gots to sux right before signing day though.  Bammers on board, will this cause any defections in your opinion?

I think if any coach leaves it hurts recruiting. The difference is how you replace the coach. If you upgrade duh, but if you have to take some scrub you are phuked. Your staff has stayed intact and it has showed. Hopefully we will upgrade with a new WR coach. I am liking Lance Taylor over Tee Martin.

[djsimp]

I think if any coach leaves it hurts recruiting. The difference is how you replace the coach. If you upgrade duh, but if you have to take some scrub you are phuked. Your staff has stayed intact and it has showed. Hopefully we will upgrade with a new WR coach. I am liking Lance Taylor over Tee Martin.

I would say fuck T Martin. By recollection only, everything I have read about him, he is a bit strange.

[No Huddle]

Two names being thrown around Taylor and Curtis Johnson. Johnson is a long shot but would be a great addition. My money is on Taylor.

[RWS]

I think as long as we keep Saban, McElwain, and Smart we're in pretty good shape. Last year I said it wouldn't hurt my feelings if we got a new WR coach, because it seems like we have somewhat underachieved in that position. So, it doesn't really hurt my feelings now. Hiring Clemson's DL coach has actually helped us with Clowney, according to an interview Clowney gave. OL coach Joe Pendry is retiring, but according to the intrawebs, might stay on with the program in some capacity. I think that may be the biggest loss that will translate to play quality on the field.