ESPN is reporting that WVU Coach Rich Rodrigez has accepted the Alabama head coaching position.  What was he thinking?  The Alabama situation is a coaching hotseat, with unrealistic fans and expectations.  Two million dollars will buy alot of coach, but the problems at Alabama go beyond who's wearing the headset.

When Dennis Franchione left for Texas A&M that should have been a wake-up call to 'Bama fans.  And after multiple poor hires, Mike Shula seemed to be the perfect fit.  When Shula was run out of town, the average 'Bama fan should have sounded the alarm.  Something is wrong in Tuscaloosa.

Instead most 'Bama fans assumed they could have their pick of coaches, and that  RR would jump at the chance to coach their team.  He appears to have accepted, with an announcemet emminent, but the 'Bama fans expectations in this situation are similar to their expectations for their team, overblown.  RR may take the job, but he certainly hasn't jumped at the chance.

Many 'Bama fans are claiming RR  will lead the Tide to a NC in three years.  Right now, Bama is behind Florida, LSU, Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee in their own conference, about on par with Arkansas.  From the sixth or seventh best program in the SEC to a national championship in three years, lol.  Possible? Yes.   Likely? No.

Here are some stats for Tide fans to chew on:

Since 1995 Alabama's overall record is 85-60, a winning percentage of .586.

Won or shared division titles:

Auburn 6, LSU 5, Florida 4, Tennesee 4, Georgia 3, Arkansas 3, Alabama 3

Conference Titles:

Florida 4, LSU 2, Georgia 2, Tennessee 2, Auburn 1, Alabama 1

Alabama's record against:

Tennessee  2-10, Auburn  4-8,  LSU 5-7,   Arkansas 5-7,  Georgia 1-2,   Fla 3-3

Overall against those teams,  20-37  (.351)

But all that is expected of the next coach is a national title, and soon.  That is why the general opinion is that  'Bama fans are unrealistic.

Whoever 'Bama hires will be their 6th coach since 1995. If the reason Shula was let go was because of his record against the top SEC teams, the coaches preceding him were equally as bad. Somehow, constantly changing coaches doesn't seem to have fixed the problem. Shula was the fourth coach during that time to have a 10 win season, yet all are gone.

Stability matters. One coach retired, one left, and two had to go. Most of us understand that. But when Shula was fired one year after a 10 win season, after taking 'Bama to a bowl in a rebuilding year, it's apparent 'Bama is desperate.

And unrealistic.

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(Since I posted this, ESPN has removed their story and Rodriguez is said to be in negotiations with WVU.  The plot thickens.)

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(I originally posted most of this on  CBS message boards.  I have edited and compiled it here.)