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On-the-job training starts for Alabama coach Shula

Focus is on football, not the Tide's problems, in his first game vs. USF.

With an inheritance like this, a lot of coaches would have been happy to be left out of the will.

Mike Shula, though, couldn't be happier with the burden he's shouldering as Alabama's Crimson Tide opens its 109th football season Saturday against South Florida, a program 102 years younger.

While USF's program is ascending, Alabama's is in turmoil.

The most recent tide turned in the coach's office. Dennis Franchione bolted in December for Texas A&M after all but swearing he'd be back in Tuscaloosa this season. His successor, Mike Price, was fired in May for, among other things, spending hundreds of dollars at a topless bar. Shula was hired within the week.

There's the matter of Alabama being barred from a bowl game and national championship eligibility this season, 21 lost scholarships through 2005 and five years' probation because of sanctions over recruiting violations (a booster paying more than $100,000 to a Memphis high school coach to steer a star player to Alabama) and other financial indiscretions in the 1990s.

Oh, and there's the pressure of Shula's name and his first head-coaching job. Alabama is a football factory - his alma mater, no less - that usually doesn't hire coaches for on-the-job training.

Both Shula and Alabama athletic director Mal Moore acknowledged the NCAA sanctions will have an impact for a few seasons, but each minimized them.

"Without question they had an effect on some players and (potential) recruits," Moore said. "Still, we were able to schedule a 13th game last year and this at Hawaii. You know, Hawaii is a great trip, and I think that helped us offset (the loss of some prospects)."

Shula said Tuesday he realizes that, "With the sanctions, we're behind a little bit, but it's something that you accept when you come here. ... You don't think about it while you're here now. When I took the job, those were the things I thought about and factored into my decision.

"We've talked to our players as far as sanctions, the loss of scholarships, this and that. We're not using anything as an excuse. We're about moving forward and doing whatever it takes to get the job done."

Shula, who quarterbacked Alabama in 1983-86, never has coached in college and only at assistant levels with the NFL's Bucs, Dolphins and Bears. He is the second of legendary NFL coach Don Shula's sons to try coaching: Dave crashed and burned with the Cincinnati Bengals (19-52 in 1992-96).

Mike Shula has gotten used to comparisons with his father. He pretty much ignores the subject, as he did Tuesday.

"I don't have enough time to (think about) that," he said. "I've got to focus on the job a hand, getting this team ready. To me it's special coming back to my alma mater, a place I love, a place with great memories where I have a chance to win games and (eventually) a national championship."

He acknowledged his name tends to opens doors. It also raises expectations.

"Whatever opportunity you get, you have to make the most of it," he said. "I'd like to think I got this job because of my credentials."

At 38 he can hardly be considered a father figure to his charges. Uncle figure might be more accurate. Dave's oldest son, Daniel, is a quarterback at Dartmouth.

It is Mike's 16th year of coaching and, he said, "by far the biggest age difference as far as players I've coached. It took me 10 years to coach somebody younger than me.

"I liken it now to coaching guys that are my nephew's age. ... It's been a bit of an adjustment just getting used to the (players') mentality, how these guys tick, as opposed to guys who have been in the (NFL) or rookies coming out. It's very refreshing."

Many fans consider Saturday's game against USF little more than a tuneup for Oklahoma's Sept. 6 visit. The Tide is a 171/2-point favorite, and Alabama has a big-time offensive line going against a smaller USF defensive line. Still, Shula said, "(USF) is a very good team, 9-2 last year, and the only two losses on the road (were) to Oklahoma and Arkansas."

COLLEGE: Alabama (B.A., labor relations, 1987).

PRO COACHING: Bucs, offensive assistant, 1988-89; quarterbacks, 1990; Dolphins, coaches' assistant, 1991-92; Bears, tight ends, 1993-95; Bucs, offensive coordinator, 1996-99; Dolphins, QBs, 2000-02.

OF NOTE: Father, Hall of Fame coach Don Shula (Colts, 1963-69; Dolphins, 1970-95); wife, Shari; daughter, Samantha; second child expected in the fall. Completed 313 of 578 (4,069 yards, 35 TDs, 30 interceptions, 32-15-1 record from 1983-86 under Ray Perkins). Round 12 pick by Bucs in '87 draft, never played as a pro. At 38, SEC's youngest head coach; also youngest Alabama coach since Frank Thomas (33 in 1931).

- Compiled by Bruce Lowitt.