Tide Tidbits - December 18, 2008

Boston Herald: Auburn hire: More incompetence than bad intent
Whether Charles Barkley was right when he said "race was the No. 1 factor" why Auburn chose Gene Chizik over Turner Gill is something only a few higher-ups in the athletic department and the administration at his alma mater will ever know. But Barkley may be giving them too much credit. Judging by the process that led to Chizik’s selection as the Tigers football coach, incompetence appears to have trumped any questions of bad intent.

George Teague: "Next year is going to be the year..." and more honors!
Did the memories come back when you learned the 2008 Alabama team was headed to the Sugar Bowl? "It was actually before that," said Teague, who is now the AD at Carrollton Christian (Texas) Academy. "It was the whole being 12-0, and having to play Florida in the SEC Championship game, which was exactly the same as when I played. That is what really brought me back to years ago. Then losing, but getting selected to play in the Sugar Bowl. You wish it was for the national championship, but man... I had the memories." He's a big fan of coach Nick Saban, by the way. "It was an awesome season," he said. "Next year is going to be the year."

Recruiting: OL James Carpenter on signing: "I'm ready to get to Alabama and start working."
Carpenter is a four-star, 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He committed after the Iron Bowl and graduated early so he could sign today and enroll in January. He said the plan is to arrive and take part in the on-campus bowl practices (which is allowed), though he won't be able to participate in the ones on-site in New Orleans. Why, you ask? "I want to get in, see what they do, and watch Andre Smith," Carpenter said. "Hopefully, I can get some pointers, see how Andre does everything, and that'll help me out a lot."

Utah's coaching attrition continues ...
Alabama's opponent in the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl has now had both coordinators hired away to other jobs before Utah's team even reached New Orleans. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig was named offensive coordinator at Kansas State today. The Utes' defensive coordinator Gary Andersen departed earlier this month to take over as head coach at Utah State.

Lights brighter in New Orleans
When former University of Alabama defensive back Eric Gray thinks back to last season's Independence Bowl, among the things that pop into his mind are the game itself, celebrating the 30-24 victory against Colorado, and the dancing coach. Yes, Nick Saban getting down is certainly a lasting memory. 'We were all like, ‘Is that Coach Saban doing that?'' Gray said with a laugh Wednesday. 'Highlight of his career.' For those who don't remember, Gray was referring to last year's team Christmas party in Shreveport, La., when Saban and his wife Terry jumped on the dance floor and quickly found themselves on YouTube.

Roll Tide!