A.J. was telling me about a time when Thompson accidentally interrupted a meeting between him, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, and DT coach Ed Orgeron. And when they left, Thompson came right back at McCarron and delivered a strong message from one Alabama alum to one future alum.
"After they left, (Thompson) started talking about them, saying, 'You better not go to Tennessee of all places,' " McCarron recalled. "Not Tennessee. And then he ends up at Tennessee. And he knows the history from his time here as a player, how Alabama hates Tennessee. But money talks, I guess."
about 3 years ago
Todd
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Im interested
To see exactly why be left. I know there is money but there has to be something other than that…Especially if it means going to UT..My god he has to wear that disgusting orange…that alone is enough for me to turn down all that money..
When you are an Alabama fan you are expected to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because I want to.
Ditto....
Why wear orange like a prison jump suit and have to listen to rocky pot over and over and over, when you can rest assured that you will win a championship or 2 in the coming years. That is something money can’t buy.
Well, are you gonna pull them pistols, or whistle dixie?
If you think a championship (either conference or national) is guaranteed in the next two years, you are seriously deluded. This isn’t the 70’s. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of luck to be in that position.
by PeteHoliday on Jan 16, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
Pete, come on......
Everyone knows that championships are not a given, and you are right, it takes hard work and some luck with injuries and such. But it is also preparation and the right mind set. I will not make any bones about it, I used to like UcheaT when I was younger, but Fat Phil and everything he did from stabbing Majors in the back to kissing the NCAA’s backside made my realize how far they have sunk.
I do not have any ill feelings toward Thompson, because I now hear that this is in part because of a divorce and having gone through one myself, it hits you hard, especially when kids are involved. So I say Good Luck Lance, thanks for all you did. But now, your the competition.
Well, are you gonna pull them pistols, or whistle dixie?
I’ve heard a 50% raise. It’s easy to talk big about hating orange when that sort of money isn’t sitting in front of you. It’s another thing entirely when your family wants to know why you didn’t just take some free money.
“Sorry, I’d like to take the 50% raise that your company is offering, but your logo is ugly and your hold music is terrible.”
Yeah, no. Can’t say that I blame the guy.
heard that too...
from $300k to $600k…
"There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success" - Coach Bryant
I’m wondering what sort of backlash Thompson will have from this. Both Richardson and McCarron have made comments to the effect that the think less of Thompson after he left in this fashion. He is known mainly for recruiting the South Alabama area… if this is the perspective all his current recruits are taking, it could be that his connection to that area will be weakened. Or maybe not, but that’s my speculation at least.
Like you said..
The talk is negative about how Thompson left not about Alabama. I think we will be just fine. Thompson is the one who will hurt.
When you are an Alabama fan you are expected to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because I want to.
Almost none
Alabama will still be a top 5 program, that can go and recruit anywhere. Thompson will still be a really good recruiter, and will probably do a really good job recruiting at UT. These same sort of moral questions were raised about both Saban and Petrino, and yet they are both recruiting very well for their respective schools.
There are two points that a lot of people have failed to mention. For all of Thompson’s accolades as a recruiter, and there is no reason to doubt he is a very good recruiter, he has never been able to achieve the same success at recruiting anywhere else. Again, not saying that Thompson will not be a really good recruiter at UT, but the fact is Alabama when at full strength is one of the 5 best schools in America. It makes everyone’s job a lot easier under those circumstances.
Another point that has not been mentioned enough is Saban’s specialty. As we all know, Saban is a defensive coach first. He has been one of the most influential coaches in the SEC, in regards to what defensive schemes he has brought to the SEC over the last 25 years. He does not get that recognition, but in many ways he changed the way the SEC plays the game in the same way Spurrier did with his Fun n’ Gun, or Meyer is doing with his spread offense. All of this is to say that it is well known that a lot of defensive coaches want to work for him. I just do not think it will be that big of a long term problem to replace either Thompson or Steele on the defensive side. I might feel differently if we were losing someone on the offensive side at this juncture, like McElwain, but both coaches are replacable.
Just curious if anyone knows...
Would Thompson have given Alabama a chance to counter offer that increase in salary? I can’t imagine if we raised his salary, even if it wasn’t quite as much as the UT offer that he wouldn’t rather stay at Alabama. If we had the chance and didn’t offer more, then there must be a reason why.
Since Monte Kiffin is at UT, I can see where Thompson might think it will be a good situation there, plus the money incentive. Yes, he’s worked for Alabama twice, but it’s not like he’s an alum. That being said, I can’t imagine that I would be able to give my allegiance to UcheaT, no matter the money.
The timing is the kicker. Why would he do this so close to NSD if there weren’t nefarious things afoot? Nothing surprises me coming from UcheaT, of course.
"I hate everything orange"
It's all about Crimson - ROLL TIDE!!!
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