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Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron spoke about the Crimson Tide football team’s narrow escape against South Carolina on Saturday. In the process, he absolutely shredded those “internet gurus” critical of coaching in the near-loss.
McCarron and podcast host Tyler Siskey suggested that fans with no playing or coaching experience don’t have the right to critique Crimson Tide coaching decisions. They don’t know what they’re talking about!
The remarks came following the team’s 27-25 win over the Gamecocks at home.
Defensive struggles were an issue in the contest, and had it not been for a few self-inflicted wounds by the South Carolina offense, an upset likely would’ve been seen.
The Tide won the turnover battle, 4-2. QB LaNorris Sellers was responsible for three of those giveaways, each of which likely could’ve been prevented.
He had a pair of fumbles, with one coming on an inexplicable throwaway attempt and the other on a simple handoff exchange. He also threw a pick on the Gamecocks’ final possession after sailing a pass over the head of his intended target.
Those miscues prevented South Carolina from pulling the upset yet left Alabama football fans unhappy with the final result.
Criticisms of the staff followed, as it was the second lackluster performance in as many weeks. The Tide fell to Vanderbilt the game prior.
AJ McCarron doesn’t believe some of those critics are worthy of having an opinion on the topic.
“My issue with the average fan is, you see people on Twitter (X) that are so-called ‘gurus’ now in breaking down film – I can look at somebody and know that he’s never played before.
“If I went and got on the white board and said, ‘Hey, tell me what a sonic blitz is, tell me if they play palms right here, what if they’re bracketing?’ [they wouldn’t know]. So that’s my issue with the everyday fan…
“The average fan, they don’t need to talk about concepts and running different coverages… you don’t have a f—ing clue what you’re talking about.”
Does NIL give Alabama football fans the right to be critical?
AJ McCarron would later challenge those “gurus” to put their money where their mouths are when it comes to criticizing coaches and play calling. That, of course, comes in the form of NIL.
It’s a topic that’s been top of mind this week, and one that Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin commented on after a loss to LSU.
Do fans, who put their hard-earned money down to buy college football success, deserve explanations on decision making? It’s a tricky situation.
Their investment makes recruiting top talent an easier task, something that was seen firsthand in Oxford this past offseason. An emphasis on NIL support helped the Rebels land the nation’s top transfer class.
Then again, coaching and fandom are two very different things – as McCarron pointed out.
Lane Kiffin doesn’t know the answer.
“Do I feel like the fans deserve an explanation because of NIL (Grove Collective members)? I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ve thought of that.
“That’s probably a good question. I’m not sure of that. I probably should’ve thought of that before. I don’t know that answer. ‘Do they deserve an explanation?’ I don’t know that.”
-Lane Kiffin
Fans are now being asked to put their own money on the table for the betterment of their favorite teams. Should they have a seat at the table when it comes to coaching decisions?
And in this case, should it shield coaches from criticism after poor outcomes?
AJ McCarron does believe that frustrations with clock management and player IQ should be aired. He just asks that you stay in your lane when it comes to scheme and play calling!