A "Blessing from The Lord" – Courtney Morgan, General Manager of The Alabama Crimson Tide

The keynote speaker for the Tuscaloosa County University of Alabama National Alumni Association's annual Fall kickoff pep rally style fundraiser held at the Tuscaloosa River Market on Tuesday was Courtney Morgan, the general manager of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. An entertaining and congenial speaker, Morgan was introduced at the meeting as Head Coach DeBoer's "first new hire" upon taking the helm of the Alabama football team. This was something which Morgan quickly dispelled. For as the general manager explained it, "I was never hired". At least not officially at the moment. All he knew is that he was sitting on the couch watching the news when it came on that Coach DeBoer had accepted the position at Alabama. Ten minutes later, he received a telephone call from DeBoer, himself.

In the telephone call, Kalen DeBoer explained to Courtney Morgan that he had to meet with the boys at Washington and to meet him at the airplane at 2:30PM. The next thing Courtney Morgan knew was that he was in the airplane with DeBoer with a list of kids (players) to call. And it was in this airplane that Morgan received his first introduction to the SEC. For it was during that flight, that the flight attendant informed them that there were 5,000 people waiting at the airport in Tuscaloosa. "Why?" asked the former college football player for Michigan, Courtney Morgan, all puzzled. To which the flight attendant merely smiled and responded with, "Roll Tide! Welcome to Alabama."

As general manager of the Alabama football team, Courtney Morgan explained that they do a lot of forecasting. Not only are they playing the season, but they are looking at what the needs of the roster will be "come December". With Morgan emphasizing that "everyone at Alabama can leave and make more money". For "once you are stamped with the script 'A'", the players and coaches become a hot commodity. Therefore, in order to keep and recruit the players at Alabama, it is especially important to build relationships with the players. At times, Morgan admitted, it can also help to give the football players examples of players who have left Alabama "chasing the dollar", only to have their careers " go down the drain". He also stated that it is important to give the players a little grace, while at the same time not backing down from their standards. As all of the guys playing for Alabama "have turned down a lot of money to be here."

After emphasizing that they are on year two at Alabama, but it feels like five with all of the preparations that they've been making, Courtney Morgan took questions from the audience. Naturally, with the event taking place in T-town, the audience was interested in knowing what Alabama's chances are in going back to the National Championship game. With Morgan quickly stating his confidence in Coach DeBoer's accountability system and how positive he felt about the season. The down-to-earth Morgan stated that, "We're going to hopefully shock the world."

A question from the audience asked Courtney Morgan what he thought Alabama's secret has been over the decades to win so many National Championships and he stated that it was due to the fact that "Alabama has the best college football fans around. And probably the craziest, too." A comment which met with chuckles and approval from the attendees. Morgan also stated that it helps that there is no professional team in the state (technically the Birmingham Stallions are a professional football team in Alabama, but they are little known outside of Birmingham). And this enables the coaches to recruit players from the whole state as they all readily "buy in" to playing at Alabama. Morgan also explained that there has been great leadership at Alabama of the football team over the years and that it really helps that Alabama "is a football school".

Given the recent announcement that Ty Simpson will be the starting quarterback at Alabama against Florida State, Morgan fielded a question from the audience as to why Simpson was chosen. Morgan unequivocally responded with the statement that Ty Simpson, "claimed it, he always carried himself like a starter." And that Coach Grubb is a big on protecting the ball and Ty Simpson only threw one or two interceptions during the Fall football camp.

A young lady from the back of the audience then asked Courtney Morgan if Coach DeBoer has a signature favorite snack like Coach Saban. Morgan stated that Coach DeBoer listens to rock stars all day with the music that is playing during practice. And that DeBoer is focusing so much on coaching that sometimes he does not eat. Maybe just one meal a day.

Kay Rodabaugh Reyes, a retired Latin teacher in the audience, asked the general manager what his favorite thing is about Alabama. Morgan responded that after living in Los Angeles and Seattle, on a personal level what he most enjoys about Alabama "is the peace". As there is no traffic and in Tuscaloosa it only takes ten minutes to get anywhere. On a professional level, Morgan stated that his favorite thing about Alabama is being at Alabama. For when people ask him where is he going to go from here, he said, "You're at The University of Alabama. Where do you go from here? Nowhere!" For Alabama is the pinnacle of college football. And it is a "blessing from The Lord" for him to be the general manager of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Something for which he is very thankful.

Alabama's first football game of the season will be on August 30th against Florida State. There was some concern expressed from the audience about the fact that Alabama will be playing against Coach Malzahn, who is now at the helm of Florida State. Courtney Morgan stated that "you always respect your opponent, but we have everything under control." He emphasized that offensively Coach Grubb is "a matchup king" and very aggressive. And that defensively, Alabama has the best secondaries in the country. When he was pressed regarding the special teams, Morgan hesitated not in stating that "I don't watch a lot of special teams."

In closing, Courtney Morgan met with approval from the audience when he stated that "At the end of the day, it is all about winning National Championships." With the affable Morgan further explaining that " If you work hard, you will be respected." Comments which were met with a standing ovation from the full house.

The dinner for the evening was provided by Moe's BBQ. With the live band for the event being provided by Andre Taylor Music. But, the undisputed favorite giveaways among the attendees, were the houndstooth hats that were provided by Party Wow of Tuscaloosa.

Luisa Reyes is a Ruscaloosa attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist