I did a little experimenting with the new video editor feature on YouTube to condense some of the practice tapes posted on the blog. Let me know if you like it better this way.
First, here’s the linebackers working with defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri.
Next, Nick Saban works with mostly defensive backs.
Finally, here’s the result of some more toying around with video editing. I tried to line it up with the music as best as possible.
Posted in Dont'a Hightower, football, Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, video, YouTube
Tagged Alabama, Crimson Tide, Dont'a Hightower, Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, practice video, video
We didn’t get long to watch the pre-scrimmage routine this afternoon, just enough time to capture these low-quality home videos for you.
So, without delay, let’s start with the receivers.
Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart works with Dont’a Hightower and the rest of the Crimson Tide linebackers Thursday morning.
Posted in Dont'a Hightower, football, Kirby Smart, preseason practice, video
The board of trustees just sent notification of Thursday’s meeting of the compensation committee. On the agenda, “salary increases” and “amendments” for nine Alabama assistant coaches.
This can’t be surprising considering they helped the Tide to a national championship in January. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart already cashed in when Georgia came after him in January.
Also on the agenda is consideration of an amendment to Nick Saban’s contract that is not specified.
Check the Bama Blog on Thursday morning for updates after the meeting adjourns.
Posted in football, Kirby Smart, Nick Saban
Here are a few of the last practice videos you’ll get out of me until fall. Look for more later.
First, the offensive line hits the sleds then …
… the linebackers take instruction from defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
Posted in football, Kirby Smart, linebakcers, spring practice, video, YouTube
Now approved by the Compensation Committee of the Alabama Board of Trustees, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is officially an even better paid coach. After being wooed by Georgia, the Crimson Tide sweetened his deal to stay in Tuscaloosa.
Sweetened = $750,000 per year.
That’s a considerable bump from $360,000 a year. If he leaves, the buyout is $72,000.
The committee also approved contracts for baseball coach Mitch Gaspard, football assistant Jeremy Pruitt and women’s basketball coach Wendell Hudson.
Gaspard gets $175,000/year plus $50,000 talent fee over his three-year deal.
Pruitt will make $190,000 in 2010 and $200,000 in ’11.
Hudson’s contract was extended through 2013 with the same pay $150,000/year plus $145,000 talent fee. His expense allowance is now $12,000 and got a signing bonus of $18,000.
Posted in baseball, cha-ching, football, Kirby Smart, Mitch Gaspard
No surprise here. Rolando McClain just announced his decision to skip his final season at Alabama and enter the NFL Draft.
The Decatur High product is expected to go in the first round of the April draft, possibly as high as the top 10.
The decision is hardly a surprise given McClain’s monster junior season that included a Butkus Award, All-American honors. There is also the issue of the rookie salary cap that applies to every incoming class after this season’s draft.
McClain made 105 tackles this fall — 14. 5 were behind the line of scrimmage including two against Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. For video of McClain speaking to reporters after the game, click here.
UPDATE: In other news, Nick Saban told reporters in Tuscaloosa that Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will remain at Alabama. Reports had indicated Georgia made a big-money offer to the Bulldog alum in attempts to bring him back to Athens in the same capacity.
2:50 p.m. UPDATE: Alabama just released a statement about Kirby’s plans to stay that included the following quote from the coordinator:
“I think it was pretty well known that there was an opportunity to return to my alma mater as defensive coordinator. I wouldn’t even have considered discussing the position with any other school, but when it is a place I’ve spent some of my best years and had some great memories, I thought it was something I should discuss with my family and figure out what was best.
“After thinking about all the factors over the last couple days, we are going to stay at the University of Alabama. We love it in Tuscaloosa, have made some great friends here and I think we are building something special here at Alabama with Coach Saban. I have learned so much in the time I’ve spent with Coach Saban, and every year I feel like I become a better coach.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for Coach Richt and the job he has done there and the University of Georgia will also have a special place in my heart. Not only did I play there, but my wife played basketball there and we have a lot of friends at UGA.
“At the end of the day, I just feel like this is where I am supposed to be and this is a special time to be at the University of Alabama.”
More details to come. Check back in a bit.
Posted in football, Georgia, Kirby Smart, NFL Draft, Nick Saban, Rolando McClain
Michael Casagrande covers University of Alabama athletics for The Decatur Daily, The TimesDaily, The Montgomery Advertiser and The Anniston Star.
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