By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Coach Mike Shula turned momentarily nostalgic during a teleconference yesterday, relating a story from when he was Alabama's quarterback here in the 1985 Aloha Bowl.

But for all the memories, you got the distinct impression that if Shula had the choice, he would just as soon skip this week's return visit to Aloha Stadium as the Crimson Tide's head football coach.

Shula politely begged off when asked if he would have even scheduled Saturday's ESPN game with the University of Hawai'i, had the decision been left to him.

For this one, scheduled two head coaches before Shula, is a game he doesn't need and is a risk he could do without all at a time that could better be put to use on other things. If it isn't a no-win situation, then, it is a game with limited upside for Shula and the Tide.

The game was the brainchild of Dennis Franchione who, facing two bowl-less years under the hammer of NCAA probation, knew he needed to promise last year's recruits a "bowl-like" opportunity.

But with the Tide again eligible for a bowl next year and much work to be done to get it to one after the disappointments of this 4-8 season, about the last thing Shula needs right now is another potential loss.

Shula, you'll remember, is the guy who was hired in May, long after recruiting had ended, after spring practice had been held and after the Mike Price fiasco. He has been running to catch up ever since.

Now, at what should be season's end, there are coaching changes to be contemplated (he inherited some of Price's coaches) and recruiting calls to be made.

The difference in finishing with four wins or five wins hardly matters at Alabama where it is nine- and 10-win seasons that are mandated. But the potential to close with five losses in the last six games, the final one on national cable, can make it hard to sell the future.

The way you go about changing fortunes is to hit the recruiting trail early and hard. That will be difficult for Alabama since the first day coaches can go into the homes of recruits is Sunday morning. In central time zone terms, that will be about an hour after the UH-Alabama game ends.

"The first thing we're gonna do when we get back from Hawai'i is recruit," Shula said. "That's what's gonna be on our mind." But, "we're not gonna have a chance to get on the road (as early as) some of the other coaches that won't be traveling back from Hawai'i."

When Auburn and Georgia are in recruits' homes, Tide coaches might be munching peanuts over Phoenix.

In 1985, Shula looked forward to his trip to Hawai'i. Now, he can't get home from this one soon enough.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.