TUSCALOOSA, Ala.–Avery Johnson has yet to coach a single game of Alabama Men’s Basketball, but in just one press conference he’s already won over the fan base.
On Tuesday, Johnson’s plane landed a few minutes before his 5:30 p.m. scheduled arrival time. He had presumably already stocked his wardrobe with crimson neckties, sporting one as he emerged from the hangar to wave to the crowd and give some opening remarks.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work,” Johnson said. “This has been a lifelong dream of mine to coach on the collegiate level and be a part of a community like Tuscaloosa, like the University of Alabama.”
He made more bold and interesting statements in his brief time in front of the gathered fans than previous Alabama head coach Anthony Grant uttered to the media in the past six seasons. Instead of casual platitudes and coaching cliches, Johnson spoke in broad terms, unafraid to make bold statements and proclamations.
Winning a title as a player in the NBA and finishing second as a coach, Johnson has the experience needed to lead Alabama in a new direction. And the 20th men’s basketball coach in Alabama history isn’t shy about sharing his opinions about how that will happen.
“If you want to make it to the next level as an NBA player, I’m your guy,” Johnson said. “If you want to graduate with a degree, I’m your guy.”
At his introductory press conference on Wednesday, the coach started by thanking Alabama athletic director Bill Battle, his former colleagues at ESPN, and all the gathered guests which included Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy and gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth. He then thanked the current and former players in attendance, and the former coaches present C.M. Newton and Wimp Sanderson.
He already has a catch phrase, and a mantra for this season: “Buckle your seatbelt.”
Behind the fence at the airport and on the podium today, Johnson came off as an energetic person who is ready to get started in collegiate coaching. The 50-year-old Johnson inherited a team that has not made the NCAA tournament since 2012, but you wouldn’t know that by his demeanor.
Now that the celebration has ended and it’s time for him to learn how to recruit. He’s already getting started.
“To every recruit in the state of Alabama, you’re our first target,” Johnson said. “We want to put a fence around the state of Alabama. For all recruits outside of the state, you’re on our radar.”
He wants Alabama’s standards to mirror that of Duke’s, and for the team to aspire to new heights. He’s Alabama’s next hope, and the hope in him is already high.
“For us here at the University of Alabama,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t have taken this job if we couldn’t make it to the Final Four.
Through his first two public appearances, Johnson has galvanized the fan base’s support, and expressed his desire to remake the atmosphere in Coleman Coliseum. He just needs the fans to show up.
“I want to say to the fans,” Johnson said, “get ready, put your seatbelt on, because what you’re about to experience is something you’ve never experienced before.”
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