It was made official today that Mark Gottfried is no longer the head basketball coach at UA. I’ve wanted this to happan for a while, but still liked the guy. Look at the excitement on my face in this picture. And look at Derek–his fist was clinched even then. Derek has lead the way for at least two years to get rid of Gottfried. We kept this a little quiet because of our good friend Becky. She worked for him and was completely loyal to him. I wonder if I can now have that crimson sport coat he wore to certain SEC games?
I knew there was a problem this past Saturday when we took some of my nieces and nephew to the UA/UK game. A man sold me 6 tickets for $10. This was too good to pass up. That’s sad when face value is $18/ticket.
He was a good player here in the 80’s and did well at times as coach, but we could never win on the road. I always knew we were going to lose at Ole Miss too–it was a given. Something about Mark and the Tad Pad.
So long coach. I do appreciate your hard work here, even though it wasn’t enough. I wish him well. And surely we’ll bring in a big-name coach now that will recruit some ball handlers and teach basketball, not street ball.
I never thought this would happen but man I’m totally stoked this jerk is out. This picture is extremely funny. Thad & I were in the media room where the media ask all the post game questions to the coaches and players.
I was fortunate enough to go with Thad to a couple of these post game interviews and everyone had laptops and notepads except for me and Thad.
I know we looked like a couple of jokers because we were always laughing at Gottfried’s remarks. I always wanted to ask Gottfried – “Mark, why does Bama choke every time they see a full court press? And – why did you have Hollinger – the shortest guy on the team throwing the ball in against Tennessee which was noted for having one of the top defenses in the country? (when Ten. would man up against Hollinger on the inbound – he looked like a midget) And why did you continue to play Steele after you discovered he was injured? And why do you let Gee play like he’s playing streetball? And why so many players never improve – many get worse after playing under your guidance (Gee is a prime example)? And why make so many excuses?”
These were the questions that needed to be asked to this fool.
Anyway, Becky asked Thad & I if we wanted to have our picture made with Gottfried. I wasn’t the least bit enthused but – How can you politely say no when they guy is standing right there?
And Becky was extremely nice every time I came down and I don’t want to sound ungrateful – I just hated Gottfried because I felt he was wasting good talent.
(Thanks Becky for all you did if you’re reading this. I really had a blast)
Anyway, this game was a complete disaster. It was against Louisiana Tech I believe – they were up 6 with less than 30 seconds in the game. Bama came down and hit a 3 pointer with less than 5 seconds on the clock and the ref called a foul under the goal during the shot. So they counted the bucket and bama got the ball back with 5 seconds left. Bame hit another 3 at the buzzer to send it into overtime and bama won by 5 or so I believe.
So, this picture was after this crazy game that we should have blown their doors off.
I’m glad they’ve made the move because I had refused to go to another game until Gottfried was gone. I now hope Steele comes back, they turn the team around and make the tournament without MG.
Personally I’m totally excited. He recruited well but didn’t know how to coach them once they showed up to practice.
Wow Pierce, that was a long one. I was hoping to get a response out of you though. I knew you’d like the picture. And I’d forgotten how lucky we got to win that game you talked about. Someone a foul on the other team gave us the basket and the ball again… I’ve never knownn of that rule.
Indeed, he was a good recruiter, but not a good coach. I’ve been looking forward to this for a couple of years now, and I’m not even a real basketball fan.
Cheyenne, I vote for your husband as bama’s new basketball coach. He played well last night. I got tired of guarding him.