Gottfried Says Wait And See

There are a number of things done well by The Tuscaloosa News. The newspaper is unquestionably the most vigilant in discovering when Alabama athletes are arrested and making sure those accusations are prominently reported.

In Tuesday morning’s edition it was revealed that Alabama sophomore basketball player Yamene Coleman was arrested Monday and charged with eight counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Bail was set at $12,000.

When Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried met with the media Tuesday to discuss the upcoming Pan Am Games Trials in which Gottfried is an assistant coach for the United States team and upcoming Bama juniors Richard Hendrix and Alonzo Gee are candidates to play on the team, the first question to Gottfried was about Coleman.

Gottfried made it clear that he couldn’t be specific in discussion of the charges, and made it equally clear that the coach has confidence in and support for the player.

“Definitely,” said Gottfried when asked if Coleman was still on the team.

“He is a terrific, terrific human being,” Gottfried said. “I believe in Yamene Coleman.”

Gottfried said, “I believe as the facts get out on this and we learn more about it, this will not be as it appears.”

Coleman, 21, was redshirted in 2006 and saw mostly back-up action this past season. The 6-9, 230-pound center played in 21 of 32 games, averaging 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.