The city of Mobile, founded in 1702, sits at the head of Mobile Bay on the Gulf Coast and serves as the regional hub for much of southwest Alabama.
College football analysts and coaches from across the Southeastern Conference gathered at South Alabama’s Mitchell Center for the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl and Dex Imaging L’Arche College Football Preview, offering fans an early look at the storylines shaping the 2015 season. The event, held in Mobile and benefiting L’Arche Mobile, brought together a lineup of high-profile guests, including longtime college football analyst Tony Barnhart, new Florida head coach Jim McElwain, Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, Alabama defensive backs coach Mel Tucker, South Alabama head coach Joey Jones and Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.
Mobile has a population of roughly 188,000 residents and is the seat of Mobile County, one of the largest counties in the state by population.
Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage also joined the head table for the discussion. Barnhart, who covers the sport for the SEC Network, CBS and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has spent nearly four decades following college football and used his platform at the preview to share his early read on the national picture.
The Port of Mobile, operated by the Alabama State Port Authority, is one of the largest seaports in the country by tonnage, handling containers, coal, steel and forest products.
He said Alabama and Auburn appear to be ahead of the rest of the SEC heading into the season, with Georgia as his pick to win the East Division. Looking beyond the conference, Barnhart said he favors Ohio State in the Big Ten, TCU in the Big 12 and Clemson in the ACC, though he noted Florida State could repeat as league champion with transfer quarterback Everett Golson if he can protect the football.
Downtown Mobile has been the focus of significant redevelopment in recent years, with new apartments, restaurants and event venues reshaping the Central Business District.
He also said questions remain about how the Pac-12 race will shake out without Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Barnhart also spoke to the broader health of the sport, saying he hopes the Power Five conferences — the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 — continue scheduling games against Group of Five programs such as the Sun Belt Conference, Mountain West, Conference USA, American Athletic and Mid-American conferences.
The University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile anchor the city’s higher education landscape.
Background and Context
He praised the growing popularity of the College Football Playoff format. “The game is more popular than it has ever been, and the playoff added an extra level of excitement,” he said.
Mobile’s Mardi Gras season, the oldest in the United States, draws visitors from across the country and provides a significant boost to the local economy each year.
Turning to the SEC West, Barnhart described the division as more balanced than he has seen in years past, with Alabama and Auburn out front but the remaining teams bunched closely behind them. He noted that despite personnel losses, Mississippi State still factored into his preseason predictions given the division’s overall parity.
The city’s healthcare sector is anchored by USA Health, Infirmary Health and Springhill Medical Center, which together employ thousands of residents.
In the East, he pointed to Tennessee as a possible surprise team, though its young roster likely won’t be ready to contend for the division title just yet, while Florida will need to shore up its offensive line before it can compete at the top of the East. South Alabama head coach Joey Jones used his time at the podium to reflect on the Jaguars’ breakthrough 2014 season, which included the program’s first bowl invitation.
Mobile’s manufacturing base includes shipbuilding at Austal USA and Huntington Ingalls Industries, as well as aviation manufacturing at the Airbus final assembly line in Brookley.
Jones said the postseason appearance has paid dividends on the recruiting trail and helped raise the program’s profile around the region and within the Sun Belt Conference. “The biggest thing is how it has helped recruiting,” Jones said.
Local schools include Mobile County Public Schools, the city’s largest public system, along with a network of private and parochial schools.
Local Reaction
“When we go to Miami now, they know who South Alabama is. I’ll be honest with you, a couple of years ago some didn’t even know where South was.
Mobile’s history as a port city means that issues affecting the waterfront often take on outsized importance.
You also create credibility with other programs in the conference. It was probably the best thing to ever happen to us.” Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee discussed the transition at quarterback following Nick Marshall’s departure, with Jeremy Johnson expected to take over as the Tigers’ starter.
The Mobile area is home to several historic neighborhoods, including Oakleigh Garden District, DeTonti Square and the Village of Spring Hill.
Lashlee said the offense will continue to be built around whoever is under center rather than forcing a single scheme. “Nick was special in his own right, and he did a lot of great things for us,” Lashlee said.
Sports are a major part of life in Mobile, with the Senior Bowl each January and a thriving high school and college football scene.
“We tried to play to his strengths, and we’ll do the same thing with Jeremy. We’ve had all different styles of good quarterbacks over the years, and I think part of good coaching is to play to your strengths and what your quarterback does best.” Alabama defensive backs coach Mel Tucker spoke about his long working relationship with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, dating back to his first coaching job under Saban at Michigan State in 1997 and continuing later at LSU.
Local media outlets covering Mobile include several television stations, daily and weekly newspapers, and a robust digital news ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture
“I’ve worked with coach Saban before — he gave me my first job in 1997,” Tucker said. “He hasn’t changed his core philosophy.” Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly said the Seminoles will lean on less experienced players to fill gaps on defense this season, but expressed confidence in the young talent that emerged during spring practice.
Mobile County’s population includes a significant African-American community whose history is tied to the founding of Africatown.
“We’ve got to have some guys come through that haven’t played a lot, but that we think are very talented,” Kelly said. “We’ve moved a couple of guys around, and we feel like we’ve got some good, young players who did some good things in the spring.
Mobile’s economy also benefits from a robust tourism sector, with visitors drawn to the Gulf Coast, the city’s historic districts and its annual events.
It’s going to be fun to watch them compete.” New Florida head coach Jim McElwain closed out the discussion by addressing the mood among Gator fans as he takes over the program, emphasizing the strength of the Florida brand nationally. “First and foremost, the Gator brand is special,” McElwain said.
The Mobile Bay region supports significant commercial and recreational fishing, with seafood harvested from local waters serving restaurants and markets across the South.
“No matter what part of the country you’re in, if someone sees that Gator, they know who it is, what it is and what it’s all about. That’s great.
Local government in Mobile includes a mayor-council form of government, a structure established by the Zoghby Act in 1985 that replaced the older commission form.
What Comes Next
The one thing we’re trying to get across is there are so many things to be celebrated.” The annual preview event has become a summer tradition in Mobile, drawing together coaches and analysts from across the region while raising funds and awareness for L’Arche Mobile, a local nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual disabilities.
Local officials have stressed the importance of community engagement as the situation continues to develop.
Residents with questions or concerns have been encouraged to reach out to their elected representatives.
The story is one of several similar situations playing out across the region in recent months.
Anyone following local news will recognize many of the names and places involved.
Local civic organizations have begun organizing meetings to discuss the implications.
Business owners and residents alike say they will be watching closely.
The situation underscores how decisions made at the local level can have far-reaching consequences.
Community leaders have called for patience and for a commitment to working through the issues in a transparent manner.
Several local churches and faith groups have offered to host discussions about the topic in the coming weeks.
Public comments at recent meetings have reflected a wide range of opinions.
Local reporters will continue to follow the story and to update readers.
Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings.
The outcome of the situation could shape similar discussions in other communities for years to come.
Local historians note that similar issues have surfaced in the past.
Area nonprofits and volunteer groups have stepped up to help residents navigate the changes.
Local businesses have begun adjusting their operations in anticipation of what may come next.
Looking Ahead
The story continues to develop, and residents across the region will be watching for additional updates in the coming weeks. Local reporters and community organizations will continue to track the situation as it unfolds, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Anyone with a direct stake in the outcome is encouraged to stay engaged with the public conversation through meetings, news coverage and direct outreach to local officials.