Alabama’s success leaves opponents and coaching careers in its wake

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, November 03, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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Who would have thought that Alabama would be undefeated, crushing opponents left and right in Nick Saban’s second season? Then again, when you consider the early success Saban has had at Michigan State and LSU in the past, the Tide's greatness isn't completely surprising.

Saban is thriving, but he's also costing big-time coaches their jobs.

Think about it. Alabama’s nationally televised execution of then-No. 9 Clemson on opening weekend is clearly what put former Tigers coach Tommy Bowden on the hottest seat of his career. The Tigers were completely demoralized after that beating and, quite honestly, Bowden looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights as he clearly had no solution as to how to put the preseason ACC favorites back on the title track.

A little over five games and six weeks later, Clemson was 3-3 and Bowden suddenly “resigned."

Two Saturdays ago, this same Crimson Tide team traveled to raucous Neyland Stadium and smacked Tennessee, 29-9, in a marquee SEC matchup. A week later, the disheveled Volunteers were saddled with their sixth defeat of the season (3-6 overall, 1-5 SEC) after losing to South Carolina. This past Monday, nine days after the loss to Alabama, longtime head coach Phil Fulmer turned in his resignation.

Make no mistake, many Vols fans point to Alabama as the informal end of Fulmer’s career in Knoxville.

Given this series of events, it’s clear Alabama’s success has led to the demise of two college football coaches so far; from the looks of things, it’s not stopping there.

On Nov. 29, Alabama hosts hated instate rival Auburn, whose coach happens to be on the hot seat now that these Tigers are 4-5 (2-4 SEC). Tommy Tuberville already fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin and it doesn’t appear it has solved anything. Throw in that Auburn has owned Alabama the past six matchups, and you have a situation where a Tigers loss could lead to Tuberville's demise.

That would be victim No. 3 for Saban.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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