We Simply Can Not Make This Up... Roll Tide, Xmas Lights, And Conduit

((HT: WSFA-TV))

It's Christmas time...

The HQ gets that...

And it's also Christmas time in the south...

The HQ gets that as well...

But only in a few states can the following story by Judd Davis not be considered abnormal and aberrant behavior...
WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

Told you that there would not be any surprises...

Tennessee Gets Silly About the Return of Lane Kiffin

Oh boy, we're laughing hysterically and yet and the same time shaking our heads at the reactions of people in at least the eastern part of Tennessee as they prepare to greet their former head coach and current Alabama assistant Lane Kiffin.

The Tennessee Vols and the 4th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide square off Saturday in a game that the Tide likely will win...and win handily.

But the buildup to this SEC matchup has been nothing short of hilarious.

How much does #Tennessee dislike Lane Kiffin? Enough that he is used in a political hit piece. [photo] #Election2014 pic.twitter.com/36h2fumDLY
— Jarryd Gonzales (@jarrydgonzales) October 20, 2014

This isn't made up. A political action committee (Political Hit Squad) came up with this ad to attack State Representative Gloria Johnson.

And there is more...

This story by Knoxville TV station WBIR is about Knoxville barber Rusty Manis who was shorted $14 haircut by Coach Kiffykins who came in to get coiffed and said he forgot his wallet.

He never returned to pay the bill.

Check out the dramatic (funny) retelling of that story (well produced)---

If Nick Saban Was In Jurgen Klinsmann's Cleats...

((HT: Fox Sports/Mike Romano via Vimeo))

This is what happens when Nick Saban is answering questions as the head coach of the USMNT after Group play...

And Mike, pretty much, nailed it...


No other questions, coach, thanks...

John Servati's Girlfriend Speaks Out

((HT: MyFoxAl/WBRC))

The University of Alabama community has been in mourning since it was discovered that swimmer John Servati died in the most recent round of storms that passed through the southeast earlier this week.

He was seeking shelter in a basement when a retaining wall gave way and he died from the injuries involved in protecting his girlfriend, Lauren Swann.

Here's her story from the night as she spoke publicly for the first time...


Servati was the only fatality from the storms that hit Tuscaloosa, but it's still one too many...

The HQ has the thoughts of the Crimson Tide in ours in this tough time...

Alabama Swimmer Dies In Monday Storms

((HT: ABC3340/Birmingham))

The University of Alabama confirmed that one of the fatalities in the storms that ravaged the southeastern United States yesterday was a member of the swim team.

Junior John Servati was in a friend's basement when a retention wall gave way. He was a Dean's Lister and was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Servati, from Tupelo, Mississippi, set state records in high school in the 200M freestyle and 100M backstroke.

Here's the story from overnight...
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Alabama's head swim coach, Dennis Pursley, released a statement through the swim team's Twitter:

"During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts & prayers go out to the Servati family & to all who knew John. John Servati was an extraordinary young man of great character and warmth who had a tremendously giving spirit. John will forever be in our hearts and a part of the Crimson Tide legacy."

UA's Director of Athletics, Bill Battle and the swim team captain, Phillip Deaton, made statements in a press release from the university's Athletics Department.

"We are all saddened to learn of the untimely death of John Servati," UA Director of Athletics Bill Battle said. "He was a model student-athlete who excelled in his sport of swimming, his pursuit of excellence in academics, and his value as a son, brother, friend and teammate to all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and friends as we grieve his passing."

"John definitely had a genuine heart," Alabama team captain Phillip Deaton said. "He was a carefree guy who always had this huge smile on his face. He was my training partner for three years and I can tell you that while he liked to goof around and have fun, when he stepped up on the block he was intensely focused - he was a competitor and an amazing teammate. As a team, we are doing the best we can right now."

Strange Bedfellows: Lane Kiffin is the New O.C at Alabama

Wha...what?

Yes, you read the headline correctly, former USC, Tennessee and Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin is either a cat with 9 lives or has got some sort of blackmail photos.

Why do we say this?

Because the Mega Powers have now united---Lane Kiffin is joining the staff of Nick Saban...as the offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide.



We are pretty sure Clay Travis of Outkick The Coverage and pretty much any hardcore SEC Football fan in existence are still doubled over in laughter on this hire for more reasons than we can count.

Kiffin takes the place of Doug Nussmeier who left to take the same job at Michigan.

The adventures/chronicles of the coach we all call "Kiffykins" has been well documented here and on many other blogs. From his strange departure in Tennessee and string of NCAA questions left in his wake to his non-success at USC where he somehow got fired on the way HOME from a loss, on a bus, on the tarmac at an airport, pretty much all of us and probably all of you can't help but laugh about this.

Apparently Kiffin struck up some sort of friendship with Saban, who had him in to consult during the downtime between the end of the regular season and the Sugar Bowl game. We're assuming that may/or may not have impacted Nussmeier's decision to leave.

According to ESPN.com, Kiffin will sign a 3-year deal.

Our question: When Saban steps down, and he's already started hinting that he's thinking of a time where he isn't coaching, does Kiffykins stand a chance of being the coach-in-training?

ICYMI: Why People Make Fun of Alabama Fans

So, SEC fans, Alabama's in particular wonder why they get a bad name by people in pretty much every area outside the conference or their home state.

This would be why.

The video you are about to see is of what appears to be a rather drunk and crazed Alabama football fan taking a flying leap at an Oklahoma fan at Thursday nights Sugar Bowl game won by Oklahoma in a bit of an upset.

And yes, the woman takes quite the leap:



SI.com's Extra Mustard caught up with the Oklahoma student involved who rather awkwardly explains how the whole thing unfolded.

And while it certainly made him look like a stupid drunk college kid, it in no way was enough to justify what the crazed blond woman did.

Read more from SI.com RIGHT HERE

And note--the woman was apparently there with her two young daughters, not exactly a shining example of how to behave out in public. Oh, and she was tossed out of the game too...

ICYMI: Saban Speculation Over: Staying at Alabama

If any of you live outside of Alabama, we want to explain to you where…and why the people of Alabama rate football higher than any other thing that happens anywhere else in the world.

The lead story on the late local news last night?

Not the school shooting in Colorado, no, the lead…and breaking news cut-ins were all about one thing: Nick Saban signs a contract extension.

Despite rampant speculation the University of Alabama head coach would take the money from Texas and run, he didn't. And the more the stories began surfacing that he would, the less we really believed them.

Late last night, Saban's people and the University's people agreed to an extension of his current contract, which now runs through the year 2020 at over $7 million a year.

Yes, he's getting paid $7 million-plus to coach a college football team.

In case you don't follow college football, the rampant speculation and belief by many was the University of Texas would ask coach Mack Brown to step aside. That still may happen, but as of the day we write this, Brown is still the coach.

If Brown had stepped aside, the conspiracy theorists all believed Texas, though not the best, but certainly the richest program in the country would send a Brink's truck to the Saban residence and he'd leave.

And maybe 5 or 10 years ago, it might have happened.

But Saban, for all the bridges he burned behind him, is now 62 years old. The end of his career journey is a lot closer than the beginning. And it became obvious, that for all his ladder climbing ways, he didn't want to go somewhere and start all over.

We may never know how close he came to leaving Alabama and heading to Austin, Texas or if it was even an option. Our suspicion, as most people believe, is that his people were contacted to gauge interest. And heck, he may have thought about it for a minute or two.

But no Alabama fan, you have nothing to fear. Your savior is not leaving. Not now, not next year, not until he's good and ready.

God knows how much money he'll be getting at the time that happens. Schools…and the University systems in many states may be one step away from being broke, But the almighty college football coach, he gets to sit in his palatial office waiting for the peasants to bring him offerings, all while he gets to lean back and count his money.

Enjoy the ride Tide fans….just remember eventually it will come to an end.

Miracle At Jordan Hare 2, Auburn Wins The Iron Bowl Over Alabama

How can you top Auburn's hail mary win over Georgia two weeks ago?

Running back a missed field goal the entire length of the field on the last play of the game against Alabama. Officially Chris Davis ran the missed field goal attempt 100 yards but who cares, that run defeated the Crimson Tide.

Watch and if your a Auburn Tiger fan, enjoy.


That gets a colossal "War Eagle!"

Chris Davis' run is etched in the great chapters of the "Iron Bowl."

Here's how the voice of the Auburn Tigers Rod Bramblett call the final play.  It's a classic.



With Auburn's last two football games Bramblett will have the best resume reel in the history of radio.

Guess What...??? Texas Regents Talked About Saban To Agent, Dodds Not Retiring

Surprising no one...

Regent Wallace Hall along with one of the Hicks brothers, Steve (yes his brother Tom is the former Liverpool and Texas Rangers owner) talked to Nick Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton about his client's possible interest in being the head coach at the University of Texas.

Hall and Hicks had a conference call with Sexton a few days after the national title game. Then, Tom Hicks had a meeting with Mack Brown to see if he was still interested in coaching the Longhorns. Brown told Hicks he was not interested in retiring, so the matter wasn't pursued any further.

Mack Brown is set to be paid $5-million a year through 2020...

Saban is getting $5.6-million, but with Brown's buyout at only $3.25-million, this could be a very quick eventuality after the conclusion of the 2013 season.

"Wallace Hall brought this to the chairman and myself. Nothing was authorized by the board and the chairman and myself thought the board should not be involved," Steve Hicks told the Associated Press. "Tom and Mack are friends and talk often. They simply visited and just talked the idea through. It was dropped and nothing happened ... It was a short conversation."

Along that same line, rumors are swirling about AD DeLoss Dodds retiring- which would make another piece of the puzzle for the removal of Mack Brown- forced or otherwise...

Dodds, of course, is denying it...
((HT: Longhorn Network))


Conventional wisdom is saying that a 5-year, $50-million offer is on the table for Saban to succeed Mack Brown- which lends itself to Carousel...

The HQ anticipates three names tied to Alabama: Bob Stoops (whose message has grown stale in Norman), Will Muschamp (whose move from Gainesville might be thought of as "sideways"), and Dabo Swinney- the alum with the hot name after an allegedly successful season-to-be in Clemson.

HQ's coin is on Swinney- who will get destroyed...

Johnny "B" Good, 'Bama Be Better 49-42

In the most anticipated college football game in the history of the universe Alabama marched into College Station, Texas and left with a win 49-42.

Here's the highlights from WVTM-TV.


WVTM-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Birmingham, AL

 Johnny Manziel's numbers, 28/39 for 464 yards, five touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Texas A&M let Johnny Football talk to the media.




"Well he played Johnny-like, that’s about the way to put it."  Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said.  "He scrambled around and made some plays but he also stayed in the pocket and remained efficient."

Did Ex Ess-E-Cee Players Get Extra Benefits From Agents...??? (UPDATE: Saban Reacts)

((HT: Yahoo!Sports))

The last time Charles Robinson dropped the hammer on someone, the University of Miami was put on "Uncle Nevin" Alert...

Now, he and Rand Getlin have now come forward to disclose that former Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker, Tennessee QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee DE Maurice Couch, Mississippi State University DT Fletcher Cox and Mississippi State WR Chad Bumphis have had alleged contact with intermediaries and, possibly, agents.

Fluker, Bray and Cox are all currently in the pros. Bumphis was released by the Miami Dolphins. Couch is a senior starting for the Volunteers. Robinson and Getlin were contacted by those who felt that former Alabama TE Luther Davis was acting as an intermediary for college football players and agents.

Here's Charles Robinson with Melanie Collins...


If proven true, the NCAA violation for consorting with agents could retroactively blow up any positive stuff from Alabama, Tennessee, and Miss State during the eligibility of the five athletes.

From Getlin and Robinson:

Yahoo Sports was able to authenticate text message records, Western Union fund transfers, banking statements, flight receipts and other financial material linking both Davis and the five college football players. Yahoo Sports also found that three NFL agents and three financial advisers engaged Davis in transactions totaling $45,550. The three agents were Andy Simms, Peter Schaffer and John Phillips. The financial advisers were Jason Jernigan, Mike Rowan and Hodge Brahmbhatt.

Here are all the investigation documents

This has all the appearances of deep doo-doo if all of this checks out...
Which it looks like it does...

The schools involved are investigating and declining comment... as well they should...

Here's early reports from WBRC-TV and MyFoxAL


Wednesday was press conference day for Tide head coach Nick Saban, and he was in no mood to talk about players past...
((HT: Alabama/OKTC))


Video streaming by Ustream

Atlanta Radio Station Becomes Alabama Flagship Station

((ht: ajc.com))

Hmmm....talk about think a bit outside the box. Either that or it's a desperate attempt to draw some sort of college football (SEC) audience.

Atlanta sports talk radio station 92.9 the game has taken the unusual step of being the local affiliate for the University of Alabama's football team.

Mind you Georgia Tech is based in Atlanta and the Georgia Bulldogs are a mere 70 miles away and are the assumed kings of Atlanta areas sports.

But The Game has no college teams. Both Tech and UGA are spoken for in the Atlanta market and they aren't leaving their homes. So that left 92.9 with few, if any options. They are a fledgling Sports talk station in the market (a market with 2 other sports stations--none of the 3 are very good), and want to in some way, draw a fall audience.

To their credit the station did acquire the rights to Atlanta Hawks games, not a huge get, but a franchise never the less.

More on this from the AJC.com Radio blog RIGHT HERE

No, this really doesn't mean a whole lot to anyone outside Atlanta, but then again, that is where we are based.

But it speaks volume's to the reach of College Football in general and SEC football in particular. Yes, there's a significant Alabama fan base in Metro Atlanta, but no more so than the University of Florida's.

And more importantly, it gives the Crimson Tide a bigger voice in a city brimming with high school football talent. Talent that coach Nick Saban has said publicly he covets and talent that if they know where to look, will get full-on exposure to his teams games.

For you 'Bama fans out there, enjoy a fan made "Hype Video":

DEVELOPING: Former Bama AD Moore Passes At 73

The University of Alabama has said former AD Mal Moore died on Saturday at Duke University Medical Center. Moore had been in the Durham, N.C., hospital since March 13 with pulmonary problems.

"The University of Alabama is sad to report that longtime Director of Athletics Mal Moore passed away Saturday at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Mr. Moore was 73 years old. Further details will be available later," the athletics department said in a statement.

Moore had been battling pulmonary problems for close to a month. It was announced earlier this week that Moore needed a lung transplant.

Moore was a freshman on Bryant's first Alabama team in 1958, and he played for Bear Bryant's 1961 national championship team. Bill Battle, his teammate, was hired to replace him two days after Moore stepped down on March 20. He was going to be placed in a position as a special adviser to Alabama President Judy Bonner.

Since 1999, the athletics department has made more than $200 million in capital improvements and won national championships in football, gymnastics, softball and women's golf.

After his playing career, he then spent 22 seasons as a coach, including time with Gene Stallings for the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals.

Here's head football coach Nick Saban talking about Moore ten days ago when he initially stepped down...
((HT: WIAT-TV))

DEVELOPING: Updyke Takes Plea Deal

((HT: WSFA-TV))

A month before the Auburn University spring game and the last time that the community will be able to roll Toomer's Oaks before their removal, Harvey Updyke has taken a plea deal in the poisoning of the trees with Spike 80-DF.

As a result, Updyke will be sentenced to three years in jail- entering a plea of guilty to Criminal Damage to an Agriculture Facility, a class C felony, but he should remain in jail for a period at least six months.

After his release, Updyke will be under supervised probation for five years, he will be required to stick to a 7PM curfew, and he can't attend any college sporting event. He is also banned from going to anything "Auburn"- not that they would let him into anything in the first place...

He is also under a media gag order...
And that will be interesting as to whether or not he'll stick to that one...

Restitution costs have not yet been determined, Lee County (AL) District Attorney Robbie Treese said at a press conference. But he added that whatever the cost is, it will be doubled under the Alabama Farm Animal, Crop and Research Facilities Protection Act.

Kinda like an anti-trust case...

"We have a significant number of violent felonies awaiting trial in Lee County," DA Treese said, "and I could not in good conscience justify financing a three week trial merely to arrive at no better a resolution."

Here's the phone call that started it all...
((HT: PFRN))


Here's the latest from Montgomery...
((HT: WSFA-TV))
WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: Mal Moore Steps Down

The University of Alabama announced today that Mal Moore is stepping down today from his position as athletic director and will only focus on being special assistant to President Judy Bonner.

Moore, you'll remember, was hospitalized last week- both at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham and Duke University.

"I cannot adequately express what the University means to me," Moore said in a press release. "It has been a part of my life for more than 50 years, and I feel honored to have served the Crimson Tide as a player, coach and administrator. I am so appreciative of the University administration, coaches, staff, student-athletes and fans who have made my tenure as director so very meaningful, memorable and special."

Moore played at Alabama under "Bear" Bryant, and also served as an assistant coach under him.

Here's an interview Moore did with WVUA's John Huddleston about his legacy and other topics...

Scott Cochran Loves Him His New Weight Room

((HT: al.com/Kausler))

Don Kausler got the chance to keep up with Alabama's chief nutcase strength and conditioning coach, Scott Cochran.

He's known for things like this...


And this...


Cochran is known for being a little more than insane when it comes to his weights, his weight rooms, and his hanging, banging, and clanging...

He got a new toy in Tuscaloosa...
2-stories, and 37,000 square feet of screaming metal...

Here's his description...
Because they can turn up like this:

Arrested Alabama Football Players Kicked Off Team

It didn't take long for the long arm of Nick Saban's law to take care of some troublesome football players.

The University of Alabama announced today that Eddie Williams, Tyler Hayes, D.J Pettway and Brent Calloway are no longer a part of the team nor the University.

You'll recall the four were arrested for a pair of robberies that took place on campus Feb. 11th. Their status had been in limbo while the schools Student Judicial Board waited to rule on their fate.

Read the story from ESPN.com RIGHT HERE

The short moral of the story here is no, Nick Saban ain't putting up with this kind of behavior. From anyone.

Nor should he or any other college football coach have to.

We say that knowing full well Alabama is a program that can tell a 5-star recruit (Williams) to just go away. The question is really how many D-1 coaches striving to be like Alabama can?

We commend the Tide (both the school and the team) for taking quick, decisive action if for no other reason than there cannot be an atmosphere where students fear being bullied or robbed by football players.

Hopefully that message will be received though we do have our doubts...

4 Alabama FB Players Arrested In Robbery-Assaults

Four University of Alabama freshman football players- Eddie Williams, Tyler Hayes, Dennis Pettway and Brent Calloway were arrested Monday from a couple of robberies on campus. Williams, Hayes and Pettway are each facing two counts of 2nd degree robbery.

The victim of one robbery was allegedly attacked by Williams, Hayes and Pettway. The victim claimed that his backpack, containing a MacBook Pro, was taken. An hour or so later, another incident occurred where the victim told Tuscaloosa (AL) police that he had been assaulted, knocked unconscious, and his wallet had been taken.

Calloway and Williams (pictured, right, thanks Tuscaloosa Police Department)

, face charges of fraudulent use of a credit card when he allegedly used the second victim's credit/debit cards to buy snacks from a vending machine on campus.

Williams was also charged with having a pistol without a permit on Sunday when police pulled him over after driving erratically and found a gun in his pants pocket on a search.

Here are the statements released from campus:

UA Athletic Director Mal Moore

"This is a very serious matter and we are very disappointed in the actions that have resulted in the charges against these student-athletes. In this type of situation, the Athletics Department works in conjunction with the University. We will have more to say at the appropriate time."

And, the HQ is sure, a very unhappy head coach UA Nick Saban:

"The young men charged are indefinitely suspended as we continue to gather information and talk to the appropriate people. The University and football program have strict guidelines regarding issues of this magnitude. This behavior is unacceptable for any student-athlete at the University of Alabama and not representative of our football program."

Here's Calloway doing a lot of what he did this past season... practice...
((HT: Michael Casagrande))

Mrs. Wilkie and the Iron Bowl

(Photo Courtesy trackemtigers.com)

OK, first of all, in case our faithful readers did not know, Jon Nelson - founder and president of OSG Sports Media - got married over the weekend (which is why OSG was a little silent - we were all at the wedding festivities).

I tell you this to set up one of the funniest moments of the weekend.

Brother Wilkie, Mrs. Wilkie, and I were standing at the reception, admiring all of the Auburn fans in attendance. Brother Jon's wife is a HUGE supporter of the Atlanta Auburn Club, and I think the entire town of Ozark, AL was there for the wedding. The reception band came all the way up from Auburn, Alabama.

They even played War Eagle during the reception, and worked it into the wedding processional. I'm not lying, Auburn was in the house! Brother Jon is a diehard FSU fan, and did have a flaming spear on top of his groom's cake. There was SOME diversity.

Mrs. Wilkie said, "Ya know, I should go up to the new Mrs. Brother Jon and ask her if I can join the Atlanta Auburn Club. I like these people."

(NOTE: Mrs. Wilkie was born and raised in upstate New York. Trust me; it matters.)

Wilkie goes, "You don't need to join. Just say War Damn Eagle at the top of your lungs and you're in!"

Me, being the kindhearted person I am, and knowing that Mrs. Wilkie is not the biggest football fan in the world, I decided to offer my brand of advice.

"Mrs. Wilkie, here's the deal. all you have to do is walk up to any Auburn fan here, take in a deep breath, and say "Roll Tide!" as confidently as you can."

Wilkie immediately shot me a glance, and we both smiled. Mrs. Wilkie innocently said, "OK, I'll do that!"

As I brandished a cheshire cat grin, a very well lubricated Auburn fan came up to Wilkie, pointed his finger at him, and said, "I heard what you said."

Wilkie immediately started backpedaling, saying "I said say War Eagle...I said say War Eagle...that wasn't me!"

Then the Toomer's Corner alum turned to Mrs. Wilkie and said, "It was you. I heard what you said."

With an innocent grin, Mrs. Wilkie said, "What did I say?"

The fan shared with Mrs. Wilkie that, "Those words...Roll Tide...have NEVER brought joy to anyone's hearts...you best stop saying those words."

At this point, Wilkie and I are literally in tears due to extreme laughter, as Mrs. Wilkie is now surrounded by Auburn faithful - getting an earful about why Auburn is better than Alabama. It was like blood in the water, and these Auburn fans were trying to convince Mrs. Wilkie (who kept saying, "I'm from New York...I don't care about football"...still with that innocent grin on her face). She let them talk...and talk...and talk...and we kept laughing our butts off.

Brother Phil comes up and asks what we're laughing so hard about.

"She's getting a crash course about the Iron Bowl!" Wilkie squeezes out between rolls of laughter (yes, I used that word on purpose).

I guess the moral of the story is this. If one is surrounded by Auburn fans, and there are adult beverages around, one must never ever mention "Roll Tide" - even in jest.

Unless you're saying you want them to roll the hell back to Tuscaloosa.

(NOTE: Everyone does know that Alabama just won back-to-back National Championships, right? And three out of the last four? Just saying...)

I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilkie. That was not the way I intended to show you the importance of the Iron Bowl.