I guess I'm going to be pressed to give a reaction on the UAB mess.
Look, I'm not trying to give a cop-out answer here, but I really don't know the in and outs and all the circumstances of UAB shutting down their program. I don't live in Birmingham, so I haven't really gotten any inside info on what is going on.
The finances are certainly a part of it. Another problem is that before this year, you went to a UAB game at Legion Field, you would see less than 5,000 fans in attendance. Some games, it looked less than that. That's just a bad combo for a football program who is trying to be competitive in the FBS level. I've seen the articles and heard all the talking heads talking about this whole situation. Still though, I don't know the exact reasons why it's happening. I'm not trying to avoid the issue, but you're going to look stupid if you give an answer without knowing all the facts. I'm not sure anyone knows all the facts. Especially those outside of Birmingham.
I do feel bad for the players who don't know what they are going to do next year. I feel terrible for them, in fact. Hopefully those who have eligibility left will be able to get themselves in a good spot at another program. I do think a good number of Alabama fans feel bad as well, so they are not as heartless as some of you others may believe. There are no winners in this situation. If you want to use this to root against Alabama in the future, so be it.
I know this post isn't going to satisfy most of you. I'm just trying to do as I always do on this message board and give an honest answer based on what I know. I'm not trying to defend anyone of any group of individuals. Just giving an honest answer. Especially since a post of mine which was giving props to the work ethic of Blake Sims was only quoted to press me about the UAB situation.