Comments on: Alabama says Bill Battle recommended to succeed Mal Moore

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:03:12 +0000

Many of us dreamed of having Ozzie follow Mal Moore as Bama’s AD. But no one expected Moore would be forced into sudden retirement. The Ravens are coming off a Super Bowl win, have lost key longtime veteran players, and are up against the cap. They’re in the middle of free agency, and it’s only a month until the draft. Ozzie is the first African-American GM in NFL history. He built that team, and he loves it. He’s not going to abandon it in these circumstances without notice. Battle was our best available option.

Ozzie has a long history with Saban going back to Belichick’s Browns in the early 90s. Another opportunity to serve as AD will arise when the timing is right, and if that’s what he wants, he’ll come when Mama calls.

By: packerbadger

packerbadger — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:49:39 +0000

Looks like a corrupt good ol’ boy. Should fit right in! Wonder if he’ll keep the same “donors”.

By: halbert53

halbert53 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:54:36 +0000

I think Ozzie has a short window and would then want to return to Alabama. Having worked in an athletic department, I know the most important quality in an AD is ability to make good decisions, especially personnel decisions.

By: rsmeans

rsmeans — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:34:42 +0000

Alabama has made many gains during this last decade while Mal Moore was there but prior to Nick Saban Moore was not noted for making good decisions. There was a decline in football, basketball and many other sports. Do not kid yourself not all Alabama grads are winners. The Big winner in this decade is Nick Saban.

While teaching at Alabama I knew both Mal Moore and Bill Battle and both were class guys who were always nice but neither was exceptional in the classroom or coaching. Alabama takes a step back on this choice and once Saban is to be replaced due to retirement we shall see the unfortunate result. Why was a winner like Ozzie Newsome not chosen. He has a great track record in management.

By: thraiderskin

thraiderskin — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:17:03 +0000

Sort of sounds like Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) named this guy.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:09:35 +0000

Yes, fatediesel, that seems the likely scenario. So relieved at this turn of events. Although I’m still deeply concerned about Mal Moore’s health, I feel much better about the state of Alabama athletics going forward under Battle. It sounds as though Bama’s leaders have the situation well under control.

By: be4bama

be4bama — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:22:03 +0000

I think you hit the nail on the head fate diesel….

By: fatediesel

fatediesel — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:05:24 +0000

I could see Battle as a stopgap for a couple years until Ozzie Newsome is ready to leave Baltimore to become the Alabama AD. Most people believe he wants to be the Alabama AD at some point but doesn’t want to leave coming off a Super Bowl title.

By: halbert53

halbert53 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:39:45 +0000

Not opposed to Bill Battle, but given his age of 71 he seems more of a short-term solution. Maybe that’s the idea to fill the position quickly and then start looking for someone who would be AD for a long time.

By: mogogo1

mogogo1 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:03:59 +0000

I’m not following why an official press release would be done on “recommendations” when the trustees will vote on those tomorrow. Why not save the release for then when it can definitively say “Battle is the new AD and Moore is now Athletic Director Emeritus”? It’d be one thing if the trustees weren’t going to meet for another 6 months, but waiting 24 hours before any kind of official announcement would seem to have made sense in this case.

By: southernpatriots

southernpatriots — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:59:12 +0000

Congratulations to Bill and to the Tide.

A great choice and may he have such a great success as did Mal. Best again to Mal on his treatment and full recovery and a long and enjoyable retirement with all his family.

By: be4bama

be4bama — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:53:06 +0000

I can’t believe I didn’t think of BILL BATTLE yesterday. Perfect fit!!!