By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The cover of Mike Flax's book, "Crimson." | ZOOM |

Cincinnati native Mike Flax never played a down for the University of Alabama football team, but he suddenly is the talk of the troubled Crimson Tide nation.

Flax, a Summit Country Day graduate, has detailed Alabama's fall from football glory in a new book titled Crimson Slide: Why Alabama Football Fell and How It Can Climb Back to the Top.

"I interviewed lots of guys who were on the inside of the machine," Flax said. "It's a look at what went wrong and some opinions on what they can do to fix things."

Flax was a walk-on defensive end at Alabama from 1997-99. While writing his book, he interviewed former coaches, players and Alabama power brokers and explored issues surrounding the Tide's decline and recent crises. The latest disaster was the firing of coach Mike Price last month for behavior that included a night at a topless bar.

Flax, 24, is now a coach himself. He is preparing to start his first season as Lockland High School defensive coordinator after coordinating Withrow's defense last year. Ohio high schools don't start official practices until Aug. 4, so Flax has budgeted his time to deal with calls from Alabama radio, TV and print reporters. The 160-page paperback book is scheduled to arrive in most major bookstores within two weeks.

Flax already has created buzz for the chat crowd on www.bamamag.com, site of the Crimson Tide fan magazine:

"I may break down and read it for amusement," one entry reads.

"Was Shaun Alexander really a spoiled superstar?" says another.

The reference to Alexander, the former Boone County (Ky.) star running back, came in a recent review of Flax's book by Mobile Register columnist Randy Kennedy. Kennedy generally gave good marks to Flax's book, but Flax takes issue with Alexander (Alabama 1996-99) being depicted as "a spoiled superstar" in the review. Alexander, the Tide's career rushing leader, is now the featured back for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

"What happened was Shaun got so much special treatment, like sitting out some practices, that in my opinion hurt the development of some other players," Flax said. "It's nothing against Shaun."

Jonathan Richey, a former Alabama quarterback and ex-roommate of Flax, concurred.

"Shaun was a model player for everyone," Richey said. "Yes, there were times he was held out of practice, but that's the cost of anyone not wanting their best players to get hurt."

Alexander could not be reached for comment.

Richey, an Alabama native who now works in marketing research in Northport, Ala., said Flax's book should sell big in the state.

"A lot of what Mike writes about is just pure honesty and truth, whether people down here want to believe it or not," Richey said.

Alabama football has a fervent home state following, with the school claiming a share of 12 national football championships since 1925. That includes six Associated Press titles, with five coming under legendary Bear Bryant and the most recent under Gene Stallings in 1992.

Flax said his book details what happened with Stallings, who left the program in 1996 under a cloud of NCAA probation. Then came the mediocre Mike DuBose years (24-23 record), which included DuBose having an affair with a secretary that led to a sexual harassment suit.

Next came Dennis Franchione, who went 17-8 in two years before going to Texas A&M. Despite a 10-3 record last season, Alabama wasn't eligible for a bowl game because it was on NCAA probation for recruiting violations that occurred before Franchione was hired.

Then came the Price debacle, which resulted in Mike Shula being named Alabama's fourth head coach since 2000.

"About nine-tenths of the book is before the Price stuff happened," Flax said.

There are accounts of how DuBose lost control of the program, alleged off-the-field drug problems, and the implication that Tennessee coach Philip Fulmer orchestrated an NCAA investigation of Alabama.

As a youth, Flax became enamored of the powerhouse 'Bama program.

"This is Ohio State and Notre Dame country, but I'd always been a fan of Alabama ... the tradition and the swagger they had," Flax sad. "That's why I wanted to walk on down there."

Flax, at 6 foot 1 and 210 pounds, was a captain on Summit's 1996 playoff team. At Alabama, he was happy just to be awarded a uniform. He stayed 2 1/2 years in the program, although he never lettered or got into a game. He left the team to pursue writing and graduated from Alabama in 2001.

Larry White, Alabama associate athletic director for media relations, said the university is not in position to comment since the book has not been published.

"I'm aware he's written a book, but I don't know what it contains," White said. "I do remember Mike being on the team."

The book, published by Court Street Press of Montgomery, Ala., costs $12.95. Flax said it can be ordered online via amazon.com, booksamillion.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Alabama football remains on NCAA probation and cannot go to go to a bowl game for a second straight year. Flax said he hopes his book plays some part in helping Alabama regain its luster, as he offers opinions on how to bolster recruiting, improve player relations and solve administrative problems.

"I know most of the country looks at Alabama as kind of inferior, redneck or second-rate," Flax said. "That's why football is very important to them. They may be 49th in education, 50th in economic gains and 50th in public services, but if they're No. 1 in football, people can feel good about it. The people are passionate fans and they expect a lot."

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E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com