"Things that were told to us by Coach Fran didn't happen," John Croyle said. "He's obviously not the man we thought he was."
Next came Mike Price, though not for long. Less than four months after arriving, Price was embroiled in an incident involving drinking and strip clubs on the Florida coast. Price was fired before coaching a game.
it's never easy
When Mike Shula was hired, Croyle had to learn his third offense in two years. Although Shula's offense would eventually come to suit Croyle's strength as a downfield passer, for most of that first season, he served as target practice for blitzing cornerbacks and linebackers. He separated his shoulder making a tackle after a fumble early in the season, and hobbled through his remaining games.
Croyle had his shoulder repaired during the off-season before his junior year. He looked flawless in his first three games of 2004. But his run of bad luck caught up to him when he rolled out in the second half during a blowout of Western Carolina and felt his anterior cruciate ligament slide off the bone in his knee. Through it all, Croyle said, his upbringing on the ranch helped him cope.
"At first I was upset," Croyle said. "I was like, man, what's next? But once I sat back and realized what I was saying, it all kind of hit me. What's an ACL injury? I come back in six months and I'm as good or better than normal. I grew up in a place where I've seen kids who were abused their whole lives -- just horror stories. It puts things in perspective."
Improbably, perhaps, Croyle has stayed healthy this season, and he has put up numbers that have earned him mentions for the Heisman Trophy. He has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,345 yards and 9 touchdowns. Croyle has also moved ahead of Andrew Zow as Alabama's career leader for touchdown passes.
Croyle's gifts as a passer have never been in doubt, but with his herky-jerky participation over the last three years, there was some skepticism that he would have the time to develop into a quarterback with an innate command of the field. One play earlier this season showed Croyle might have found that groove. It was not one of the more elegant throws in his repertoire, but an ugly heave into the ankles of receiver D.J. Hall, late in a tight game against Arkansas.
Croyle had called a handoff in the huddle, but as he approached the line, he noticed Hall was uncovered to his right. Croyle coolly looked left, as if he had seen nothing, called for a quick snap, and turned and flicked a game-sealing touchdown pass to the wide open Hall, as the Arkansas coaching staff engaged in a collective fit of turf stomping and headphones bashing. It was a play born of confidence and savvy, not just physical talent.
"I've told him I never want to play poker with him," said Dave Rader, the Alabama offensive coordinator, "He's immutable in the huddle. His demeanor never changes."
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