View Full Version : Mike Price fired...
The Brain
05-03-03, 10:17 PM
...WITHOUT coaching a single game!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Brain
05-03-03, 10:20 PM
Witt: Price warned before trip about his behavior
Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Mike Price was fired by Alabama without coaching a single game because of behavior including a night at a topless bar -- another embarrassment for a once-proud football team.
University president Robert Witt said Saturday that Price failed to live his "personal and professional life in a manner consistent with university policies."
Price, hired away from Washington State in December, lost his job because of his conduct on a trip to Florida last month for a pro-am golf tournament. Witt disclosed for the first time that Price was warned before that trip about his public behavior.
"To the university and the entire 'Bama Nation, I admit making mistakes and at times inappropriate behavior, but I also ask for your forgiveness," Price said.
He isn't the only college coach whose conduct away from games has been under scrutiny. Iowa State men's basketball coach Larry Eustachy was suspended last week for being photographed at a student party after an away game. The school's athletic director recommended that Eustachy be fired.
Alabama has won six national football championships, but it can't seem to keep a coach lately and is under NCAA probation.
Reports emerged during the week that Price spent hundreds of dollars at a topless bar and, the next morning, a woman ordered about $1,000 of room service and charged it to his hotel bill.
The 57-year-old Price, his wife and the two sons he hired for the Alabama coaching staff sat with the media for a brief public session with university trustees Saturday.
After Witt announced the firing, a tearful Price was alternately apologetic and defiant in speaking to an auditorium packed with reporters and fans. He said he asked Witt for a second chance, but the president declined.
"I don't think the punishment fits the crime," Price said. "I strongly feel that I was the man that could have put this behind us. I think President Witt is making a mistake. He's not breaking the law, but he's making an error in judgment."
Witt called Price "a great coach, a good man," but the president added that Price failed to live up to responsibilities that come with the job of head coach at Alabama.
Before trustees went behind closed doors, pleas were made to retain Price.
"Everybody makes mistakes," quarterback Brodie Croyle said. "You can rest assured it won't happen again." He later hinted some players might transfer.
The previous coach, Dennis Franchione, left abruptly after last season for Texas A&M. The team's probation stems from rules violations under coach Mike DuBose, who was forced out in 2000 during a 3-8 season.
Price led Washington State to consecutive 10-win seasons and a Rose Bowl berth last season. He was to have been Alabama's sixth head coach since Bear Bryant retired after the 1982 season.
The late Bryant set the standard -- and lofty expectations -- for all future Alabama football coaches, winning five AP national championships and establishing a since-broken record for Division I victories.
The only other Alabama coach to win a national title was Gene Stallings in 1992.
With Price clearly in trouble this week, and the program in turmoil, there has been talk among Alabama fans that Stallings might be called on to take over on an interim basis.
Witt denied that, though, saying he will meet with athletic director Mal Moore on Sunday to begin the search process.
Price agreed to a seven-year contract worth $10 million with Alabama but never signed it. The deal had a clause saying he could be fired for any behavior "that brings (the) employee into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule or that reflects unfavorably upon the reputation or the high moral or ethical standards of the University."
The gregarious Price brought a new feel after Franchione's businesslike approach, ending some practices with trick plays, including having 300-pound linemen throw downfield to other linemen.
When Price was hired by Alabama, he immediately showed deference to Bryant's legacy while emphasizing his own style.
"I want to be the second-best coach in the history of Alabama football," Price said then. "If I could do that, I think that would be wonderful. It probably isn't going to be done the way Papa did it, the way Coach Bryant did it. It's going to be the way I do it. To walk on the same sidelines that he walked is a huge honor."
Price never got the chance.
When did it become a crime to go to a topless bar and take a stripper home. Surely it is immoral but should a guy lose his job over it. It is not like he did anything wrong in his capacity as coach or broke the law. Bill Clinton would have really had a hard time if he had been treated like this guy. He lied under oath and still got to keep his job.
Originally posted by Thelt
When did it become a crime to go to a topless bar and take a stripper home. Surely it is immoral but should a guy lose his job over it. It is not like he did anything wrong in his capacity as coach or broke the law. Bill Clinton would have really had a hard time if he had been treated like this guy. He lied under oath and still got to keep his job.
Price is a teacher of young people. The people who made the decision on his job are university adminstrators who have the university in mind. Clinton was President. There was an attempt to remove him. The Consitution set the criteria, and its harder to do that to fire a teacher. The people who had to decide (Congress) had to think about national security, and lots of other things. Hardly the same. I think Price had to go. He apparently hit the ground in Bama as a party animal. That's not who I would want to entrust my son too.
I don't think it was the topless bar part that got him busted. I think it was the 1000 dollars the hooker, I mean, stripper chargered to his room. Particuarly if charged to the University.
That sort of thing should be saved for Alabama recruits, not coaches.
there is alot more to the story than what has been said to the press
I think the job of president is a lot more important than the job of coach of a college football team. The truth is Clinton had the political power to stay in office but Price did not.
If he charged the money for the strippers to the college then he needs to go because that would be fraudulent. If he paid for it himself I do not see what is wrong with it enough to fire him. I would be more concerned about what kind of coach he is and how he treats his players than what he does with strippers. There are probably not too many men that have not been to a topless club once or twice. And not too many that have not thought of taking a stripper back to a hotel.
Word is that MP was in a local restraunt/bar and people were buying him shots left and right. he got drunk pretty fast and was going the bathroom to puke but didnt make it. Puked all over a wall. Also asked a bunch a girls "which one wanted to give the coach a blowjob." Also some talk of him buying liquor for kids. Dont know if they were underage or not.
I didn't really have an opinion of his firing one way or the other until I heard his speech afterwards. He was complaining because he wanted a second chance, and he went on about how many times he's given players second chances. The dude is 57 years old, and he's comparing himself to 20 year-olds. At some point, you've lived long enough to screw up or see other people screw up enough to know better. Do what you want - accept the consequences.
Oh Cool maybe they'll hire howard schnellenberger Let the guy die in heaven.
I really don't care one way or another about him. I just think it is a poor reason to fire him. Of course there could be more to it than what is generally known. If we were consistent we would have to fire half the coaches and most of the politicians for such things.....
Originally posted by Thelt
I really don't care one way or another about him. I just think it is a poor reason to fire him. Of course there could be more to it than what is generally known. If we were consistent we would have to fire half the coaches and most of the politicians for such things.....
I dunno I have to agree with the prez on this one. The guy hasn't even coached a down and he's already pushing it. Plus he's supposed to be an educator, not to mention that he was dumb enough to get caught. I realize that teams no longer wear jackets and ties in public anymore, but geez a little decorum you know?
Originally posted by Thelt
I really don't care one way or another about him. I just think it is a poor reason to fire him. Of course there could be more to it than what is generally known. If we were consistent we would have to fire half the coaches and most of the politicians for such things.....
I assumed from the Univ. prez's statement that there was alot more that he wasn't going to mention. The politicians have differnet bosses, and aren't in charge of young people. As to the other coaches, I think the shots have gone across the bow. The universities are getting tired of this.
The politicians affect a whole lot more young people than the coach of some football team. Probably less than 5% of the population knows anything about Alabama football. I think the politicians should have a higher standard.
Maybe there is a lot more, maybe it is justified. It seems weak to me based on what I know now.
I agree with thelt, the prez lying under oath with a straight face while looking people in the eye is a hell of a lot seedier than some generic coach doing what he did...the prez affects everyone in the country in some way, the coach only affects one small community. If you don't think what clinton did gives a dreadful message to young people, you are sadly mistaken. I don't care about this guy getting fired or whatever, but what Clinton did only taught young people to do whatever it takes to keep your job, including lying under oath...
Originally posted by Reznor
I agree with thelt, the prez lying under oath with a straight face while looking people in the eye is a hell of a lot seedier than some generic coach doing what he did...the prez affects everyone in the country in some way, the coach only affects one small community. If you don't think what clinton did gives a dreadful message to young people, you are sadly mistaken. I don't care about this guy getting fired or whatever, but what Clinton did only taught young people to do whatever it takes to keep your job, including lying under oath...
Clinton's fate was decided by Congress, Price's fate was dcided by the U of A Board of Regents. Clinton played in the band, he really doesn't have much to do with football.
chipshot
05-05-03, 08:29 AM
I was listening to a sports station while driving through Alabama on Friday. They were either interviewing or playing a taped interview with Drew Bledsoe's dad who is friends with Mike Price from Washington State. He was suggesting he was set up for this. The Alabama radio show host (could have been an Auburn station) thought that was absurd. Whatever happened it seems like we don't know the whole truth.
It was an Auburn charity tourny he was playing in. I dont think any school would stoop that low. except for Tennessee.
mathmajors
05-05-03, 09:04 AM
Hello Mr. Torbush....
I heard Stallings may comeback to coach one year so they can hire a top canidate next year....
I could see a setup from AU fans...and the stripper. Someone at the hotel knew it was MP in the room, I'd assume he'd be smart enough to use an alias just to keep people from calling his room. I could see the stripper saying "give me $2000 and I'll keep my mouth shut" or something to that effect. Just the fact that she ordered one of everything in to go boxes tells me she may have had an ulterior ($$) motive...no way MP would let that fly on his corporate card, anyone who has ever turned in an expense report knows that one of everything on the room service bill will raise some eye brows. I'll give it a month, she'll be in playboy.
chipshot
05-05-03, 09:36 AM
I'm not speculating on whether it's true or not, but it would be very easy to drug someones drink. It woudn't have to be something Auburn did but a some sketchy fans would be more believable.
Looks like Mike Shula will get a shot at it (Miami's QB coach, and former OC for the Bucs under Dungy)
it's either coughlin or shula. I want shula
mathmajors
05-05-03, 10:34 AM
Originally posted by DaveW
it's either coughlin or shula. I want shula
Hope he does a better job than he did with the Bengals. But that shouldn't be too hard. It was the Bengals, after all.
another story...apparently he likes to hang out at buffaloes...
I have kept my mouth shut and listened as the national press and even some of our own have beat down Coach Moore and President Witt and now I will speak. So listen very carefully. A few weeks after MP was hired he and Coach Dunn went down to Buffalo's American Grille for a drink. My brother and cousin were there with their frat brothers and sorority sisters. MP was on the bar screaming roll tide and f@#$ the tigers. He was purchasing drinks for my cousin and her friends who were all under 21. All of that could be tolerated in my book because he was a new coach who wanted to make a splash, get to know the students, etc. But what happened next was what led to his downfall. MP said to my cousin and two of her friends who live in the GameDay Condos that he was also staying there and his wife was still in Washington so they could "have a good time". They declined as kindly as they knew how and left. When they got home that night a car was slammed into the wall at the condos and still running. MP was on his cell phone and came over to them and started to be real nice saying they should go up to their condo and he would come see them in a few minutes. He STUNK of alcohol and was stumbling as he walked. The next morning my dad was called by my uncle and they were in Tusc. within an hour. They met with Coach Moore as did another one of the propositioned girls fathers. MP was then talked to by President Witt and Coach Moore and we have all heard he supposedly shot off at the mouth in that meeting.
Originally posted by DaveW
It was an Auburn charity tourny he was playing in. I dont think any school would stoop that low. except for Tennessee.
Shit in enemy territory and he does that? Firing was too good for him.
Firing was too good for him
some are saying he was lucky to just get fired
since they fired him, they have to pay out his contract...right?
edit: I remember hearing on the radio some guy saying he never actually signed the contract....
Originally posted by Boo
since they fired him, they have to pay out his contract...right?
Probably not. THe contract usually has a morals clause. UA's position will be that he violated the contract. It doesnt sound like he's in a positionto be arguing. They may make a small settlement just to be rid of the issue.
This guy was Ryan Leaf's coach. The SD Chargers felt he lied to them when they asked him about Leaf's character before they drafted him. Maybe he didn't. Maybe he honestly thought Leaf's behavior was perfectly fine. He may have helped Leaf become what he is.
PanthersReturn
05-05-03, 01:32 PM
Price is 57 and acting worse than most 17 year olds I've known - amazing... I'm surprised this type of behavior didn't come to light during what I presume was a substantial background investigation done by Bama.
I think Shula would do fine. Most Bama teams have more talent than the Bungles did when Mike had them.
Bear, is your sig line a direct quote from Price?
Got someone talking to Shula right now and a plane has landed in Concord. I'm assuming to talk to Williamson. Yes we actually use a flight tracker to track university planes. I'm not sure if thats considered diehard or obessive to actually know where university planes are.
Sackem90
05-05-03, 02:37 PM
I'm not a 'Bama fan, but I thought that I'd post this for the fans out there.
Packers | Croom Could Be On Alabama’s List - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 5 May 2003 05:11:55 -0700
PackersNews.com reports Green Bay Packers running backs coach Sylvester Croom is seen as a possible candidate to become the next head coach at the University of Alabama.
Terry Bowden supposabely made the Croom comment...
Alabama fans can enjoy Sly's awesome RRIP(run, run, incomplete pass, punt offense) that Lions fans loved back in the day. Roll (and Punt) Tide !!!!!
pantherking
05-05-03, 04:12 PM
Originally posted by Boo
Carolina fans can enjoy Henning's awesome RRIP(run, run, incomplete pass, punt offense) that Lions fans loved back in the day. Go (and Punt) Panthers !!!!!
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