During the 2021 season, the Crimson Tide finished 13-2 (7-1 SEC) after winning the Southeastern Conference Championship against Georgia 41-24 and beating Cincinatti 27-6 in the CFP Semi-final, setting up a rematch against Georgia in the CFP National Championship game. Alabama was ultimately defeated by Georgia in the National Championship game 33–18. O’Brien’s offensive unit during the 2021 season was led by quarterback Bryce Young, who set the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and won several player of the year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy.
During the 2022 season, Alabama finished 11-2 (6-2 SEC) and ended the season as SEC Western Division co-champions, ranked No. 5 the AP Poll with a 45-20 win over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.
Over the course of O’Brien’s two years as OC, Alabama had a record of 24-4 and averaged over 41 points per game.[1] O’Brien received significant criticism during his tenure at Alabama due to the perceived ineffectiveness of his offensive units relative to prior Alabama teams, which was highlighted by the teams’ inability to win a National Championship, as well as a lack of player development at the quartback position.[2][3][4]
Kent Finlay | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 9, 1938 Fife, Texas |
| Died | March 2, 2015 (Age 77) Martindale, Texas |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Singer, Songwriter, Teacher |
| Parent(s) | James Finlay, Jr., Grace Zelma (Short) Finlay |
James Kent Finlay (February 9, 1938 - March 2, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, teacher, businessman and founder of the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas.[5] He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Texas Country Music through his support, mentorship, and promotion of numerous acclaimed Texas musicians early in their careers, including George Strait, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and The Randy Rogers Band. [6] [7] Inspired by time spent in Luckenbach, Texas with friend and mentor Hondo Crouch, in June 1974 Finlay opened his own honky-tonk music venue along the train tracks in San Marcos, Texas with business partner Jim Cunningham. Formerly a grocery warehouse, the music hall known as The Cheatham Street Warehouse would serve as an important outlet for many up-and-coming musicians to perform. [8] A former teacher and a lifelong, passionate musician and music-lover, Finlay has been recognized for his mentorship and encouragement of generations of singers and songwriters who passed through his venue and participated in his weekly "Songwriter's Circle". [9][10]
Kent Finlay was the recipient of the 2007 Coach Darrell K. Royal Texas Heritage Songwriters' Patron Award from the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, the Lone Star Award from Lone Star Music in 2014, the 2014 San Marcos Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award, and posthumous induction into the Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame in 2016.[6] Finlay established the non-profit Cheatham Street Music Foundation in 2005 to serve in the development, promotion and preservation of Texas music through regular songwriting classes, workshops, concerts and public forums in the spirit of Finlay's original songwriter's circles. [11]
See also edit
- Atkinson, Brian T. (February 3, 2016). Kent Finlay, Dreamer The Musical Legacy behind Cheatham Street Warehouse. Texas A&M University Press. p. 280. ISBN 1623493781. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
References/Notes and references edit
- ^ "Bill O'Brien was a good OC, but he wasn't good enough to be Alabama's OC … so who is?". Saturday Down South. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ "Bill O'Brien was a good OC, but he wasn't good enough to be Alabama's OC … so who is?". Saturday Down South. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ "Alabama football OC Bill O'Brien responds to criticism about Tide's offense, his play-calling". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Bartell, Peter (2023-09-13). "Alabama Football's 2023 Problem: Bill O'Brien". South Bound & Down. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Atkinson, Brian T. "Cheatham Street Warehouse owner Kent Finlay dies". Austin 360 by the Austin American Statesman. Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ a b Hendricks, Diana Finlay. "Finlay, James Kent (1938–2015)". TSHAOnline - Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Wallace, Christian. "Exclusive Premiere: Kent Finlay's Last Song". Texas Monthly. Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Gillis, Susan M. "Interview with Kent Finlay". Texas State University Archives. Texas State University. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Carrigan, Henry. "The Dreamer Behind the Songs: Kent Finlay". No Depression. No Depression (magazine). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Saldana, Hector (March 2, 2015). "Texas Songwriters' Mentor Kent Finlay Dies". San Antonio Express News. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Home". Cheatham Street Music Foundation. Cheatham Street Music Foundation. Retrieved 2 June 2021.