Shula Gone - Marve And Murdock Are Probably Next

Posted Nov 27, 2006 by Anwar S. Richardson

Updated Nov 27, 2006 at 03:33 PM

TAMPA – Alabama may not have just ridded itself of football coach Mike Shula, however, the Tide may have also ridded themselves of Plant senior quarterback Robert Marve and Middleton senior defensive back Sherod Murdock.
Shula was recently fired as Alabama’s head coach, leaving Murdock and Marve in limbo. Both verbally committed to Alabama over the summer, but neither is positive they will ever wear a Tide uniform now.
“I was shocked when I found out this morning. I got on the Alabama website and saw he was fired and couldn’t believe it. Coach Shula was supposed to come to my house this Friday and have dinner with my family,” Murdock said. “Him being a gone does play a big part in my decision because he was the main reason I was going there.”
Murdock said he was unsure what his next move would be, but said he might finally listen to the University of South Carolina, which has steadily been recruiting him.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Everything is so sudden for me. I got to weight everything out and see what’s out there. I also have to talk with Marve and see what he wants to do because we’re really close and we looking forward to playing together,” Murdock said.
Marve’s team is focused on hosting Miami Booker T. Washington in the Class 4A region semifinals this Friday, but Panthers coach Robert Weiner said Shula’s departure will affect his quarterback’s college decision.
“Not only did he have a good relationship with Coach Shula, but he learned they were good people. There have been people in the college recruiting game that haven’t been honest, and there is always double-dealing going on, but everything with Alabama was up front, genuine, and honest,” Weiner said. “The only thing he’s thinking about right now is beating Booker T. Washington. We will listen to other possibilities and see who else is out there, but one thing he now has is a chance to enjoy being recruiting and taking trips, so that could be a good thing.
“Robert’s stock is in a much different place now than he was over the summer, and there is no double-dealing on his part. He just won’t have any interest in hearing anything until Dec. 10 [day after the Class 4A state championship game].