Alabama Football: Remembering 2006 - The End of the Dark Ages|Alabama Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

On the tenth year anniversary of RollBamaRoll.com, we look back on the 2006 football season.

As Nick Saban enters his tenth season at the helm of the Crimson Tide football program, so too does RollBamaRoll.com add another candle to the cake. It was ten years ago that a couple of guys with a passion for the Crimson Tide and music banded together to birth this site you now traverse. It has taken on many changes over the years but so has our beloved football program.

It is so easy to forget (or maybe it is not easy for some) the Dark Ages that Tide fans suffered through since Gene Stallings hung up his whistle and clipboard.

Ten years ago, the Capstone was languishing in mediocrity under (bless his heart) an in-over-his-head Mike Shula at head coach. Alabama was coming off a ten win season that had been marred by losses to LSU and Auburn to wrap the regular season. A tight 13-10 Cotton Bowl win over Texas Tech won by a 45-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen as time ran out was small consolation.

COACHES

David Rader, Offensive Coordinator
Joe Kines, Defensive Coordinator

Chris Ball (S), Bob Connelly (OL), Charlie Harbison (WR), David Turner (DE), Dave Ungerer (ST/TE), Sparky Woods (RB), Buddy Wyatt (DL), Randy Ross (DFO), Tim Bowens (ADFO).

PLAYERS

The Brodie Croyle era was ending and John Parker Wilson was beginning to make his mark. The Tide lost some immense talent from the defense including Mark Anderson, DeMeco Ryans, Anthony Madison, Roman Harper, and Charlie Peprah. The defense had Jeremy Clark, Wallace Gilberry, Juwan Simpson, and Ramzee Robinson returning to the fold. The secondary, however, had some big holes to fill.

A few other names who emerged that season were Tyrone Prothro, Roy Upchurch, Leigh Tiffin , P.J. Fitzgerald, the Castille brothers Tim & Simeon, DJ Hall, Le’Ron McClain, Kenneth Darby, Rashad Johnson, Antoine Caldwell, Mike Johnson, Preston Dial, Keith Brown, Brandon Deaderick, and Jeremy Clark.

CROOTIN’

You may recall that ten years ago, Shula was recruiting for his life. He thought for sure he could secure a pledge from a hotshot quarterback from Ponte Vedra, Florida. Alas, Tim Tebow signed with the Gators. The consolation was getting 5-star and future All-American LT Andre Smith, 5-star running back Mike Ford, and 4-star DB Justin Woodall. Sadly, Ford failed to academically qualify and Woodall was okay but nothing great.

Shula also managed to pluck fan favorites Javier Arenas and Greg McElroy out of obscurity. The rest of that class was a list of names that some fans may remember but many who are likely a mystery to most.

THE SEASON

The season started off well enough against some cupcakes, but two of the scores were a little too close for comfort.

Alabama 25 Hawaii 17, TUSCALOOSA – June Jones’ squad gave the Tide a scare behind the passing of Colt Brennan but John Parker Wilson was a little better, throwing for 253 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. Keith Brown caught 6 passes for 132 yards, 1 TD.

Alabama 13 Vanderbilt 10, TUSCALOOSA – Thank the good Lord for Leigh Tiffin. His 47-yard fourth quarter field goal won the game against a ‘Dores team that would finish 4-8. Simeon Castille had two interceptions.

Alabama 41 Louisiana-Monroe 7, TUSCALOOSA – The Tide rolled up 444 yards of total offense on the overmatched Warhawks.

Arkansas 24 Alabama 23, FAYETTEVILLE, AR – Leigh Tiffin had an awful day. Alabama took the eventual SEC West champs to overtime in which the Hogs were intercepted on their first possession. Tiffin missed at 37-yard game winning field goal and then an extra point in the second OT. <a href="