Part three in our history of the Iron Bowl covers a period of Alabama football many fans consider equivalent to two journeys in the wilderness, with an intermediate seven-year respite of salvation. The wilderness journeys lasted a total of 17 seasons as the Alabama football program first struggled to recover from the death of a legend and later struggled to recover from self-inflicted deterioration.
Alabama football history should treat Ray Perkins, Bill Curry and Mike Shula with more respect than is usually applied. Rightfully so, Gene Stallings will be revered as one of The Tide’s great coaches. Three other coaches, including one who never coached an Alabama football game, earned all the disdain directed toward them.