Recruiting can be brutal, especially when it involves two bitter conference rivals: the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University. The hot button topic that’s kicked off this weekend comes from former Parkway (La.) High School football coach David Feaster.
Feaster, who was relieved of his head coaching duties, spoke to ESPN 104.5 in Baton Rouge, La., on Wednesday on an incident that occurred between the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff and ex-Panthers and LSU quarterback Brandon Harris. Per the Shreveport Times, Feaster did not like the way Alabama went about its recruitment process with Harris. He referred to the program as “unethical,” following the Tide not explaining to him the difference between a committable scholarship and a guaranteed scholarship.
Both Doug Nussemeier and Billy Napier were at Alabama at the time (2013) and per Sporting News, Feaster said Alabama had offered six to seven other quarterbacks and that other guys were promised a shot over Harris. Though Harris was eventually offered a spot, the offer was merely to attend a camp and compete.
Feaster would make an appearance on the Tim Fletcher Show in November of 2015, banning the Tide’s staff from its games. Despite the mishap occurring prior to Wayland Bates becoming Parkway’s principal, the damage to the intuition’s reputation had been done—as he relieved Feaster of his position after six seasons.
Feaster was Parkway’s all-time leader in wins, carrying a 57-19 record.
He led the program to an outright District 1-5A title in 2013, while it tied for district championships in 2012 and 2015. Even with not coaching, Feaster remains employed by the school as a math teacher.
Currently, Parkway has two marquee recruits in five-star receiver Terrace Marshall and four-star quarterback Justin Rogers. Aside from LSU, Feaster had no problem with any other school coming to scout out players.
Alabama, on the other hand, is believed by him to have no integrity.
“All I’m saying is this, if you offer Justin Rogers today and he doesn’t commit — I understand that the offer may not be good a year from now — but if you offer him, you’re making a committable offer,” Feaster said. “If you make a committable offer, there needs to be a window where my guys can say I’ll take that offer and we’ll be done,” Feathers said per Sporting News.
During his 10 years at Alabama, Saban has firmly dominated LSU in recruiting.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
