Alabama Introduces Avery Johnson as Basketball Coach [VIDEO]

If an introductory press conference gives you any insight into a coach's future success, Avery Johnson was a home run hire for the Alabama basketball program.

The first-time college coach made entertained and energized an Alabama fan base that's become disinterested over the past couple of seasons during his first appearance in Tuscaloosa.

“Why did I take this job? I had a burning desire to get back into coaching, but specifically to coach on the collegiate level," Johnson said. "I’ve already coached in the NBA for two separate stints, but I wanted to coach on the collegiate level. And when Coach Battle called and introduced himself and asked me to entertain the idea of coaching The University of Alabama, I said ‘Come on down Coach, I would love to meet with you.’ Because when The University of Alabama calls, you take the phone call. Let me repeat that, when The University of Alabama calls – when Coach Bill Battle calls – you pick up the phone. And that’s what I did, and I’m glad I did because, again, I always had a desire to coach on the collegiate level."

Johnson spent close to 25 minutes laying out his goals and expectations for the Alabama program and explained that he wouldn't have taken the job if he didn't think the Crimson Tide could win a championship.

“The whole idea is that we are about excellence. This is about a pursuit of excellence. It’s not about mediocrity. I wouldn’t have signed up for this job if I thought that it was anything but an opportunity to be excellent. I wrote a book several years ago called Aspire Higher. It was about discipline, details and determination and making good decisions, telling my life story being weaved into that theme. That’s why I’m here. We’re not thinking just the SEC or the first round of the NCAA tournament or Elite Eight. This is about aspiring higher. This is about getting to the “Big Dance”. And if I didn’t think that we could do it, I would have stayed in television. We have great potential here, great resources."

You can watch the press conference in its entirety below.