Before we look at some of the people, places and events from 1966 I have a few observations on the Alabama vs. Penn State football game. I’ll leave the good sports stories to Chandler who is our excellent main man on sports reporting.

When Nick Saban rushed a “new look” offense into his game plan two times Saturday night, I think he was sending a message to every team in the Southeastern Conference. Veering from his normal run style offense. the lightening fast success of these plays makes me think he was telling the Southeastern Conference to take notice.

A few minutes into the first quarter the innovative coach surprised fans, announcers and sports writers with a “we are not a one dimensional ball team.” Saban uncorked a fast, no-huddle offense not normally seen in his unique repertoire of plays. It was another way of dispelling the image that the Crimson Tide is no longer a “suspect” team. Texas Tech, for the past several years, is an example of those teams that lived by a hurry up offense while most Big Ten teams use a “grind it out style.”

And, that is exactly the way many sportswriters wrote up the game. When the Tide initiated its strong running game, lo and behold, they quickly went into a fast pace, no-huddle, no-running backs offense and moved the ball in a manner that only June Jones and Mike Leach could appreciate.

As one Penn sportswriter put it, “unlike Notre Dame whose players are huge but slow, Alabama is big, fast, elusive and so smart.” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who gives one the impression he tends to favor non-SEC Schools (except for Auburn, which he says will whip Alabama this year) apparently is not totally on the Alabama Bandwagon.

The same goes for Lou Holtz who earlier was in doubt about the Tide defense. Both could be right. You never know. On a given night any team, no matter how good it is, might just “take it on the chin.” If you remember, the Tide faced two situations like that last season.

Sabans success in our state is causing rumors to surface. The rumor heard most often “he will be leaving soon for another school.”

This is the most absurd rumor you’ll ever want to hear.

Saban, when he reaches 60 years of age, probably will not have the drive nor desire to move on at that age. If you don’t believe it, ask Steve Spurrier, who has been quoted that it is very difficult to take up roots at another location after you reach 60 years of age. His moving from Florida to the pros back to college finds him wearing his visor more and tossing it less. So for those who think Saban will leave the Capstone should have a conversation with any 60 year old man. I believe he is 58 right now. Terry Saban was reported saying, upon arriving at Tuscaloosa three years ago, the hills and mountains of north Alabama are very much like the terrain back home in West Virginia. The Sabans certainly didn’t see those hills and mountains in Baton Rouge and Miami.

Many teams strive to identify with either a no-huddle offense or a grind it out offense. Saban had identified with the latter-until Saturday night. Now opposing coaches will be scratching their heads when preparing their teams for battle against him.

Speaking of Leach, I see ESPN has Craig James back in the fold.

You may remember he was allegedly one of the reasons Texas Tech fired Leach. Reportedly James was beefing because his son was not playing regularly on the Red Raiders team. I don’t know where his boy is now, really don’t care and haven’t researched it on the Internet. I bet Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn coach who is now the head man at the Lubbock school, would have stood up to James.

Now, let’s take a look at some news from the year 1966.

New department stores were beginning to flourish here back then. West Brothers, a successful household and clothing firm with headquarters in Louisiana, held its grand opening in August that year. Located at the corner of Presley and Church Streets, the new store was managed by Frank Bankston.

Liberty National Insurance Company handed out national sales awards to three local agents. Murray Johnson, Burl Phillips and John Phillips were recognized for keeping policies in force for lengthy periods of time.

Johnson, who has been instrumental as leader of our youth baseball and football leagues for several years, is still active in his own insurance business. His son, Carl, is a successful out-of-state attorney.

The Atmore Progressive Recreation Club Dodgers also completed a successful youth baseball season. Players on that team included David Bishop Jr., J. Johnson, James Collins, Barry Autry, Edward Lambert, T. White, Chester Johnson, W. Johnson, Hal Mason, Chubby Longmire, Thomas McNeal, Larry Clark, Orlando McCorvey and Johnny Ray Brooks. The team was managed by W.T. Johnson and Wilbert Walker served as club chairman.

Elizabeth Coker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Coker of Rt. 2 Atmore, captured honors in her ninth grade 4-H Club sewing contest. She was recognized for innovative clothing fashions she made on her sewing machine.

Southern Miss University awarded a General Merit Scholarship to Phyllis Brown of Walnut Hill. The EWHS graduate is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmont Brown.

Jimmy Brown, former ECHS and Southern Miss grid iron player, was recognized for his outstanding play as a member of Livingston University’s football team.

The movie “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” was held over for repeat performances at The Strand Theater and “The Perry Mason” television show was aired in color for the first time that year.

Mrs. Nettie Levada Martin, owner of Martin Automotive Parts, passed away in 1966. She was the mother of Cecil and Carlton Martin, Gladys Middleton, and Edna Barrentine.

A well-known successful Perdido sawmill owner, Frank Emmons, died that year and his wife, Anna, passed away only eight days after his death.

The Bratt First Baptist Church held a grand opening for its pastorium in the spring that year.

Finally, local television anchors continue to display “egg on their faces” (not literally) when hurricane season arrives each year. They always get really excited in June when the storm season officially begins, knowing that hurricanes begin to kick up in August and September.

So why so much excitement in June? But the real kicker is this — these TV weather people use sensational headlines like “Julia is a dangerous hurricane,” again knowing the National Hurricane Center has already said the storm would turn to the north and east without any U.S. landfall. It’s just another way to grab your attention with a “non-story”.

Next week more news from 1966.

“….yes, it always whispers to me….those days of long ago….”.

Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net