What have you done for me lately? That seems to be the mantra of college sports in the 21st century.

That isn't a good thing. A coach's value has to be based on more than just the outcome of his last game. If not, then "loyalty" and "opportunity" have become empty words.

Take Alabama's latest sacrificial lamb, Mike Shula. He never reminded anyone of his legendary father, Don Shula, that's for sure. But thanks to the Crimson Tide's ever-itchy trigger finger, he'll never get the chance to prove that he can become a good coach.

Sure he had four years -- with a roster decimated by scholarship reductions.

And after managing to keep 'Bama's head above water while the sea was choppy, he now won't be allowed to swim a bit in calmer, post-probation waters.

Shula, a 'Bama Boy, took over as the program dealt with the scandal of Mike Price, which followed closely on the heels of Dennis Franchione telling Alabama, "thanks for the cash, but I want no part of the sanctions you've got coming."

So in came Don's son. And despite the fact that his teams had less talent and little depth, he went 26-23 and even managed a 10-2 campaign last year (not that anyone in a crimson-colored tie would remember that). Not good enough. 'Bama fired him.

Paul "Bear" Bryant stepped down in Tuscaloosa in 1982. Since 1983, Alabama has had seven head coaches. Seven.

In that same time, Tennessee has had two. Penn State and Florida State each have had one.

But this isn't just an Alabama thing or even a Southern thing. Ron Zook got just three years at Florida. Ty Willingham got just three years at Notre Dame.

Break that down. Those men took over programs, were behind the 8-ball during their first recruiting season, brought just two more classes onto campus, and then were judged on what they could do with ... get this ... juniors and redshirt sophomores.

They didn't even get to see their recruits become seniors. Hey, the Zooker wouldn't be on my "to hire" list, but if I did bring him on board, I think I'd give him a legitimate chance to prove himself.

But that's not the case in most places. What have you done for me lately? We want wins NOW. We don't want to hear any excuses.

Take a look at North Texas. Darrell Dickey (not the former Vol) took over the Mean Green right after they jumped to Division I. He led them to four consecutive Sun Belt titles and bowl games.

Two seasons ago, Dickey found out that he had diabetes. This past season, he missed a game after suffering a heart attack.

Let's see ... built the program, four consecutive bowls, four consecutive conference championships, diabetes, heart attack? All would be good reasons to give Dickey time to rebuild if things ever went south.

Well, things went south at North Texas to the tune of back-to-back losing seasons. So, to quote Donald Trump, "you're fired." Sorry, about the serious health issues, but you've gotta win games regardless. Now get out.

Folks, that's cold. Every bit of the "win now, nothing else matters" stuff is cold.

If winning now is all that matters, then let's stop the obligatory meeting of the family when a new coach is hired. Who cares about little Susie and Timmy? Can their Daddy win The Big One?

Who cares if "he's a fine role model for our student-athletes?" Stop saying that junk. It doesn't matter. Wins matter. And wins today, not yesterday.

Take Bruce Pearl. The Vols' basketball coach resuscitated UT's program like Pamela Anderson resuscitated a teenage boy on "Baywatch." Quickly and easily.

This year, Pearl lost his senior, all-conference-level point guard and his only two experienced inside men. He also brought in a highly sought recruiting class, but having to play six newcomers is still pretty treacherous.

So were folks patient following UT's loss to Butler? Some were. Many were not. Some of the comments on govolsxtra.com following that game were downright brutal.

What have you done for us lately, Bruce?

New coaches aren't being allowed to learn their craft and develop their skills. Previously successful coaches aren't getting as much credit for past wins as they once did.

Why if a coach at Alabama went 11-0 one year, then followed it up with marks of 8-2-1, 8-3, 6-5, and 6-5-1 he'd be as gone as gone can get. "The game's passed him by," folks would cry. "Think of the program!"

And Alabama would fire Bryant who had those five records between 1966 and 1970. Bryant, of course, went on to win three more national championships with the Tide.

Thirty-five years ago, loyalty and opportunity meant something. You weren't just as good as the last game you coached.