WEEK 2 WINNER 

by Maggie Baker

I’m a HUGE Alabama fan, so you probably think you know who my favorite coach is—the classic Paul “Bear” Bryant with his trademark hounds tooth hat, or more recently Nick Saban, the man with the (very successful) “Process”.

Don’t get me wrong, I love these men. They have shaped Alabama football to be the national powerhouse it is today, and man, it sure is fun to watch on a fall Saturday. But, they’re not my favorite coaches.

Image from University of Alabama.

My favorite coach is Gene Stallings, Alabama’s head coach during our 1992 undefeated National Championship season. And while I always love a good National Championship (#roadto18), his success as a coach is not why I chose him.

For Alabama fans, when you think of Gene Stallings, you always thought of his son John Mark “Johnny” Stallings, too. Johnny was born in 1962 with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect, but he never let these disabilities stand in his way.

Since the birth of his son, Coach Stallings became an active supporter of the special needs community, drawing attention and support before the community was accepting of these differences.

Coach Stallings said in an interview the day of the 1992 Sugar Bowl, “You know, it would’ve been a tough question if you’d asked me back then what we would’ve done if I’d known my only son was going to have Down’s syndrome. I’m just glad I didn’t know. Because I’ve been blessed by John Mark. No matter what happens, I wouldn’t trade what I’ve had with him for anything else.”

Image from AL.com

John Mark was an avid follower of his father’s career, always by his side on the field during practice and supporting his father from the stands. John Mark’s influence on Alabama legacy expands further than his support.

Coach Stallings became more tolerant of his players who were not as gifted but tried hard, and less tolerant of his players who had natural talent but didn’t give their all. He would tell his team to look at Johnny and say, “He doesn’t have the gifts you have, but he’s always trying.”

Coach Stallings advocacy for his son even had an impact on my life—I was fortunate enough to attend the RISE Center for preschool in Tuscaloosa, a preschool dedicated to enriching the lives of young children with and without special needs. Although the center was founded in 1974, Stallings’ move to head coach at Alabama influenced his advocacy for the school, drawing attention and support from the entire Alabama fan base.

Maggie pictured with Gene Stallings when she was a child.

Although I don’t remember much from my time at the RISE center, I do know that all my memories are happy ones. My parents always tell me of the friends I made, the teachers who cared for me, and how Johnny and Coach Stallings would come to check on us every now and again.

Unfortunately, Johnny passed away in 2008 at the age of 46, but neither the Crimson Tide family, nor the state of Alabama has forgotten him. Coach Stallings continues to support special needs causes nationwide, remembering his son by improving the lives of other children just like Johnny.

So yes, although Coach Stallings may not be the winningest coach at Alabama despite his incredibly successful career, he and Johnny left a legacy at Alabama for which I am forever grateful.

Maggie is from Birmingham, AL and is an avid Alabama fan. She is currently a junior at Wofford College.