My bet is that Battle is ready to talk         

     

Let's give Bill Battle some credit. From all outward appearances the man is trying to refine Alabama basketball. It is important to remember that should 'Bama fail to get their first choice, Battle can still make sure that all the other things get done. I believe he is trying to do that. Until Gregg Marshall or any other coaching candidate publicly says no to Alabama, we can infer we are still in the horse race. When you get the two  principles in a room anything might happen. Mal Moore proved that. Bill Battle is a very impressive business man with the experience to explain to any candidate why they'd be a good fit. Gregg Marshall is already wealthy by most people's standards. Money will matter some but I suspect that is not what Bill Battle will be talking about. Battle has the authority to get a contract signed. I'm sure Battle will press Marshall on what it will not only take to get him in Tuscaloosa, but he'll also find out what Marshall really needs to move from Wichita State.

    

      Marshall seems to defy the idea of moving anywhere quickly. He appears to reach a decision by thinking about everything he'll gain by leaving. But he also will consider what it is he will be losing in doing so. Don't be under any illusion that isn't important to Marshall. He and his family are firmly involved in the community of Wichita. He's been there for a lot of years. Relationships and friendships have been formed. Tears will be shed if his family moves. I don't think enough time is ever devoted to what a man' wife and family want. To make the family comfortable is a lot more than a quick jaunt around the campus and over to the mall. Dinner by the river will be nice. That's hospitality Southern style. It's a  skill all of us learn growing up in Dixie. Fine people live in the Midwest. They are families with their values firmly loved and expected. The Midwest represents a lot about America represents. Decency is not only admired but inspected. Marshall is by birth a Southerner. That will help the coach with some of his questions. It isn't like he is uprooting and moving them to LA.

     Looking at the coaching history of Marshall you'll find a man who loves his community and feels a lot of loyalty to him. He's not unlike Grant in that his value system is well established. Will be get him and his family to Alabama? I don't know. I'm impressed enough with Coach Battle to know he'll give it his best effort. Money will be discussed and then the two men will move on to the important stuff. If Battle can't convince him to come it won't be because of lack of caring or preparation. He will eventually hire a coach and cross that part off his things to do list. Getting a great coach is important. Alabama has lot more things to address that will be just as important a redefinition of where 'Bama is currently, and what the Tide needs to be go where they desire in the future. I thought that Grant re-established a model for conduct and gave the program some ethical direction. That is an important step. It's one we shouldn't overlook or forget. Now we can move on to other things.