University of Alabama beat writer: The Birmingham News

I certainly was not "pimping" Kendall. I mentioned that he was a candidate and that I liked his work...

For that I guess I should apologize. ;D

I'm sorry I said Josh Kendall does a great job as a UGA beat writer. What was I thinking?

 

Congrats that the job is filled, but one thing puzzled me. Ruben Grant was helping out the News. Why wasn't he asked to throw his hat in the ring? Hell of a writer if you ask me. He's had plenty of experience. I know he took the gig at the new paper in Hoover, but it seems strange he didn't get a look on this one. He's sorta a legend in Birmingham area. When he's on Paul F's radio show, the callers are just about in awe of the guy. I'm sure he could have done the job.

 

uhhhhh.....

Thanks for stopping by, Ruben.

 

I had heard the News was not particularly happy with Ruben after he took the Hoover gig. Dropped him like a rock.

Of the former PH people, I would have thought the News might've looked at the aforementioned Beaudry or Cary Estes, who is a fine reporter who also could have helped their coverage of NASCAR and golf.

I'm not surprised they hired Ian. He has been on their radar for a while.

 

Concur.

The guy covered high schools at the B-level paper in town for 25 years. So why not give him the No. 1 beat at the A-level paper in town?

And I think the word "legend" can have several meanings, if you catch my drift.

rb

 

RB's Lesson of the Day: If you're not at the Birmingham News, you suck.

Ironic, huh?

 

Ruben's a great guy and I learned a lot from him. He's much too standup to come on here and post about himself.
Should he have been handed the Bama gig? Probably not. Still, no reason to tear him down.

 

RB might need to go back and study history when it comes to that A and B level stuff. I don't want to waste anybody's time or call out anybone on this board in public, so RB, you're free to PM if you want to.

 

Great guy? Don't know him. Learned a lot from him? Can't quarrel with that.

My point, which addresses both the responses by you and by Passy, is that someone who was distant second fiddle to Ron Ingram and the Birmingham News' high school coverage has as much chance at the News' primo position as anyone else covering preps at the B-level paper in a two-paper town.

Not a direct correlation, but by way of example ... You think the guy covering preps at the Gwinnett paper has a shot at the Falcons gig at the AJC? That's what I thought.

rb

 

Anyone who read ronalong's post and knows the situation even as little as I do understands Ruben wasn't going to be the new Bama beat reporter for the News. And honestly, who cares? (aside from ronalong and you).

 

Ron Ingram is a top-shelf HS writer. I think he's more into his job than anybody I know. In that sense, being "second fiddle" to Ron and The Ronettes doesn't mean Ruben was doing a bad job.

I'm still delighted with the earlier lesson.

 

Wow, RB ... What was I thinking, not applying for this job. I mean, the Birmingham News is so A-level and all.