OT: Nick Saban and Alabama React Poorly to a Player Who Wants to Leave the Program
So, the handling of transfers isn't always pretty - and UM hasn't always been above the fray...but an Alabama player had a pretty awful time attempting to transfer.
“On Friday, June 17, I arrived at the athletic facility locker room to find my locker cleaned out and all of my personal belongings in the trash (photo attached) underneath trash,” Smith wrote. “These personal items included my family photos, written goals, inspirational and sentimental items memorializing my deceased former friend, roommate and teammate, Altee Tenpenny, and items of personal value from my former teammates.”
And
Not long after, an unidentified Alabama staffer told Smith that he could no longer work out at the athletic facility. Another staff member later told him he was no longer allowed at the athletic facility “to workout, to eat, or anything.”
I am sure Nick didn't personally deposit the player's belongings in the trash, but I can't imagine his personal demeanor didn't trickle down to players and staff.
Pretty awful way to treat a player who has given a lot to your program...for people who have been in air-conditioning their whole lives, no less. /s
#KeepItClassyAlabama
***Link fixed - WHOOPS!***
Stories. Two sides. Etc.
Someone kindly remind me when we gave someone a hard time on the football side in terms of transfers. The one I remember is when we bent over backwards to let justin boren (traitor!) transfer to THEE ohio.
You said football side...my bad.
I mentioned that Spikecomes to mind...nothing to this level of course, but the reluctance to release was certainly there.
#NoReadingComprehension
Can't comment on the Spike treatment, but I have never personally experienced reluctance to release.
Inability to prevent release? Yes.
Reluctance? No.
Yes but even with Spike the fanbase was largely against it and so was our AD who made it right. Spike is still loved on campus and I can't imagine anyone in the program dumping his locker into the bin
Exactly. This guy took all of the 1st team reps during spring ball, and had never mentioned transfering before. I wouldn't be surprised if some of his teammates are pissed that they didn't get the practice.
I understand why the players are pissed, but the coaches seem to be acting childish.
why should they have access to the facilities and food put in place for the team? Alabama has some nice student recreational facilities if he is completing school work, and wants to maintain his fitness.
On the first hand, trying to destroy or dispose of someone's personal property is a dick move and possibly criminal.
August 4th, 2016 at 12:39 AM ^
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I'm not familiar with this player's details. The OP didn't mention his name, let alone the backstory. That was my only point. Carry on..
#nopolitics
about that...fixed it!
Thanks for the heads-up!
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at least in my experience.
I was a walk-on at Toledo...a WALK-ON...and I told Coach Pinkel I was done and had to focus on school and quit the team.
I continued to utilize the tutors, had plenty of food at team training table, worked out...no problems...but that was Fall 1992.
I'd think a scholarship player should be given the same courtesy...but who knows how other schools handle it?
The difference being Smith just wanted to talk to Georgia about a possible transfer. I think the kid had the right to at least enough information to make a wise decision, given that he was graduating.
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However, +1 informative.
August 3rd, 2016 at 11:58 PM ^
A must see
Saban does have a point. He spent four years on the kid, might get some use out of him and he wants to leave. However, there is no excuse for what his "teammates" did to his personal property. This is totally classless, but I'm not exactly surprised.
The situation is very similar to Countess last year, but was handled without the tact . Projected starter, just graduated, but didn't want to play for the newly hired DC.
By the rules, Harbaugh could have put restrictions on him. However, some things just aren't worth the PR hit. (and he would've looked like a hypocrite)
August 4th, 2016 at 12:48 AM ^
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The Man is in the widow, to this day, everytime I see the police, I say to myself or whoever is there with me that, the man is in the window. The pickup truck scene totally ruined that movie for me. Although I refer to Easy Rider as a classic.
Sounds about right.
31 more days, 31 more days, 31 more days, 31 more days...
August 4th, 2016 at 12:46 AM ^
I did not want to start a new thread for this, but the AJ Trainer is now listed on NIKE's site.
Seems to be reasonable don't you think? If the kid didn't show up to get his belongings or was not allowed to enter the facility, just box it up. Treating him that way only hurts the university no matter what the story is on either side. Calmer heads should prevail.
So, this is an unwritten rule in the SEC. Ok. Let's hear Saban explain why he let a kid transfer to Missouri? Georgia is also in the opposite division and Bama and Georgia are not scheduled to play in the regular season. I'm sure he has a perfectly reasonable explanation.
Waiting......
Yes, shocking, isn't it?
The kid kept his commitment and now wants to move on. Saban is keeping the kid from taking advantage of the situation the kid earned by hard work and getting his degree. It is a total asshole move my Saban and any coach who blocks movement. And then to let or encourage the treatment described-terrible. I know they will never say it but I bet the vast majority of Alabama players think this is bullshit as well.
Punishing people for leaving is something that oppresive dictatorships do.
Sounds about right.