By Statham Dawg

October 14, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Please TN & AU, please keep Fulmer and Tuberville.

We will contribute to the donut fund for Fulmer and buy more colored tee shirts for Tuberville.

By SecIsFootball

October 14, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Fulmer will be gone after this season. It seems his stock has been falling with the Vol Nation the last several years but winning the east last year got him a reprieve. This year, his team way win 2 more games. Fans are fed up and will want him out. If Tuberville, loses to Alabama, he will be gone. It is common knowledge that Bobby Lowder is 1st in command at AU and it is also common knowlegde that he does not like Tuberville. One loss to UA would be enough to do him in after the other embarrassing moves this season.

By Gator Nation

October 14, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe I’m defending Tennessee and Fulmer, but who have they lost to that they were expected to beat? They are down, Kentucky and Vandy are up and they are going to lose more games. But with a brand new QB and tons of other starters departing I expected them to struggle. Maybe not to the extent that they have, but I wouldn’t be thinking fire the coach.

Tubberville has been at Auburn a long time and has done a great job. But I think he will want a change before Auburn will. The Clemson job is a better job than the Auburn job if you consider these things:

1) Easier division to win and conference to win. 2) Your the #1 program in the state. 3) Currently, lower expectations.

The jobs are equal in facilities, money, and recruiting.

It might be an attractive place for him depending on how the rest of the season goes for Auburn.

By athensdawg

October 14, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

fan fatigue = what a crock of b.s.

I guess according to your formula, Joe Paterno must have no support at Penn State. He better run for the door while he still can!

WIN SOME FREAKING FOOTBALL GAMES AND YOU CAN KEEP YOUR JOB.

Lets look at the real problems here:

Tubby - switches offensive and defensive coordinators every year.

Fulmer - hasn’t done anything except gain weight since UT won the national championship.

Bowden- more interested in “keeping his job” than fielding the best team he can.

And, let me correct another thing….UGA didn’t just decide to change when it got rid of Jim Donnan. There were major problems with a lack of player control and discipline. Plus….hide your eyes everyone because i am going to get brutal here…

JIM DONNAN COULD NOT BEAT TENNESSEE, FLORIDA, AUBURN, GEORGIA TECH, KENTUCY AND VANDERBILT ON A CONSISTANT BASIS.

That’s a bit of a problem considering Georgia’s schedule.

Richt instilled some discipline and look what happened…SEC titles. But, according to the formula, Mark Richt has lost support of 70% of the georgia fans. Quit while you can, Mark.

Mack Brown and Pete Carrol better read this article…because they probably have lost a significant amount of support as well.

I’m getting tired of the media making excuses for coaches who cannot do their jobs. These guys get paid lots of money and why should we all come to their defense when they get fired?

By GeoffDawg

October 14, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Tuberville is a bit of an @ss. I remember his condescending comment about CMR in 2001. Something to the effect that he’ll have to learn how to run the ball if he wants to win in the SEC. In the words of Cullen Harper’s dad - Karma.

By Atlanta Gator

October 14, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Tommy Bowden? He’s a decent human being, but, frankly he led an underachieving Clemson program. Clemson’s second-half meltdowns have become the butt of jokes under Bowden. This year, the Bowden-coached Tigers didn’t wait for the second half of the season before the wheels came off. Nevetheless, the question remains: will CU be able to attract a better coach than they had?

Phil Fulmer? It is public knowledge that his most recent contract extension has an escape clause for the school if the Volunteers fail to win eight games. Tennessee has currently 2 wins and 4 losses (0-3 SEC), and still has to play Alabama (AP #2), Vanderbilt (AP #22), South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi State. The Tide game appears likely to be loss no. 5, and the Volunteers appear capable of losing to any combination of the remaining SEC teams. It now appears to be more of a question of “when” than “if.”

Tommy Tuberville? Big question mark, but an Auburn loss to Alabama probably seals his fate. Tubby has had some great teams during his tenure, more often than not based on a great Tiger defense. The Tiger offense, often inconsistent, has become anemic in 2008, and that’s simply not good enough to be competitive in the top tier of the SEC. The 2008 Tigers are not better than third in their own division, and probably sixth (maybe seventh) in the SEC. Sadly, Auburn may not be a program that will immediately benefit from the coaching change.

By Brandon

October 14, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Tony, great article. I for one just can’t see why Auburn would fire Tuberville. If they do fire him, considering his accomplishments, who in their right mind would want that job? Both Tennessee and Auburn have new quarterbacks, sometimes you get lucky with a David Greene or a Sam Bradford but more often than not breaking in a new quarterback, especially in the SEC, can bring trouble, Georgia certainly had growing pains with Stafford a few years ago. As far as Fulmer goes David Cutcliffe is to Fulmer what Ralph Friedgen was to George O’Leary, Fulmer ain’t much without him. Finally, Clemson gave Tommy Bowden plenty of time, I hate it for the man, but it was time. Hopefully, Auburn will be dumb enough to fire Tuberville.

By THWF

October 14, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

athensdawg cant do math or something; losing 10% every year will never get you to zero, and 7 years at that rate will not add up to 70%. Plus, I’m sure you’re ugly.

By KR

October 14, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Tuberville has not lost the support of the majority of Auburn’s fan base. He never had the support of Bobby Lowder (does anyone?), so nothing much has changed there. My feeling is that he has one more move in him and he will make that by his own choice at the end of the 2008 or 2009 season.

Fulmer hasn’t had the support of the majority of UT’s fan base in quite some time. I believe he’s waiting to be shoved out the door just like Johnny Majors before him.

The truth is, every coach in the SEC has a pretty good potential (some better than others) of taking a job somewhere else at the end of the year. Even if they do, the programs will manage to survive.

By Miles

October 14, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Hopefully, neither Tennessee nor Auburn fire their coaches. Who would they possibly hire to replace them?

By LeishaC

October 14, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

I think Fulmer, and to some extent, Bowden need to go. Tuberville, though, has had a lot of success. I’m a tad worried for the exact reason stated above, that is, who is waiting in the wings? I see a dearth of good coordinators in college football right now. There just aren’t many geniuses in the ranks right now, and that’s where new coaches come from. Also why Tuberville and others have had a hard time finding good ones. Tubby has beat Alabama 6 straight years, and should have won a title in 1994 (stupid BCS), so I don’t think he needs to be fired. However, AU better get busy and find some new personnel, especially at quarterback. FSU has had the same problem for years…FSU hasn’t had a good season since they last had a decent quarterback. The spread is predicated on a great QB, and AU doesn’t have one.

By athensdawg

October 14, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

thwf-

no one ever called me pretty. and are you a tech graduate? of course there are diminishing returns! but only someone who cares more about that than winning is going to try to figure that out.

you missed my point. a coach gets the axe because they don’t win.

then, everyone in the paper writes about how sad it is and makes excuses for them. why? well, they don’t want to lose their access to the coach when they get fired and he gets hired at another school.

it dosen’t matter that i can’t do the math…this fan fatigue thing is a crock of bs. what would you like…a coach that wins…or a coach who is playing politics to make sure that he dosen’t upset enough of the fan base so he can keep his job?

We tried that at Georgia…his name was Ray Goff….

By RAMBLE ON!!!

October 14, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Phat Phil will be gone. If Tenn. is smart they’ll try to hire Vandy’s coach who has taken over the state, especially after they beat UGAg again. Plus, he’ll quit beating the Vols., but he’ll consider Clempson, not Tenn., too many hillbillies.

Clempson…there’s your ticket. Bobby Johnson is the second best coach in the country, right behind CPJ of course.

By GeoffDawg

October 14, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I would imagine that Bobby Johnson will be a pretty hot commodity following this season. He may jump at the chance of coaching at a school with an actual athletic department.

By Joel in ATL

October 14, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

AthensDAwgs easy otneh shots at Coach Donnan. Coach Donna swas a hell of a coach and should have gotten another year after the 2000 season but when the coach and the president bump heads that’s what happens. Grant it I love coach Richt but please don’t play the discipline card. That’s whack. Would you say UGA is disciplined this year? In my eyes it how you handle the situations, DOnnan handled them differently from Richt and Donnan wasn’t going to be Adam’s puppet, not saying Richt is but I AM saying Adams’ wanted Donnan to be his puppet, plus Dooley was still the AD at that time and we know how that went.

Fulmer should be at UT next week. Forget this change thing. Fulmer is losing the recrutiing battles with UGA that he won during the Donnan Era at UGA. Tubbs should be at Aubrun next year also. OK he changes cordinators often but dang this is the first season it really has been this bad. Tubbs is gulity of trying to keep up with the Jones’ in switching offensives wihtout the personnel. Bowden in Clemson…it was time. I defended him the entire way until they lost to Wake at that point I knew it was time. Being a UGA follower, go ahead UT and let him go your going to pay a pretty hefty price and please don’t offer it to John Chavious, that wouldn’t be a smart move. Bobby Johnson will be at VAndy next season and the Vandy Admin is going to make sure of it, he has redefined Vandy football and Vandy KNOWS it’s not going to get anybody else in there that can that much effect at Vandy.

Mr. CFB, do you see Jon Richt transferring to UGA or FSU now? Just thought I would throw that out. (I know UGA has got those 2 Elite 11 QB recruits locked up but it’s a thought)

By tyler durden

October 14, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Tubby gambled heavily on the move to the spread, and his gamble couldn’t have failed more spectacularly. If Bama’s 4-2 now, with losses to Clemson and Georgia, he would have had all the time he needed to work the kinks out of the new system. But when Bama’s 6-0, and #2 in the country, he may not have any wiggle room.

By Don't go Tubby

October 14, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Hey Tony,

Don’t run my coach off because of your silly opinion. Don’t put words in my mouth or the mouths of my fellow fans. Don’t make us out to be the team that fires it’s coach after 1 bad season out of 10. Don’t make us out to be the team that expects results without some hard work. Don’t make us the next team that offers an insane amount of money to a coach who promises a NC. Don’t make us the team that furthers throws college football down the drain because we think money can buy success. Don’t make us the team that jumps ship because of a little frustration.

Fellow AU fans, do not throw Tubby out the door because of one rough season. Tubby has made some bad choices. Give him a break. Auburn fans have been rough on Tubby and he has continued to win for us.

The season is only half over. Beating UGA and AU and WVU can make the season. Hell, just beating AU will make my season. If the streak is over, it is just one game. Tubs has a winning record against Saban at AU and LSU. He can win. Don’t give up like Tony wants you to do. Don’t lose faith in the Ccach that has taken AU to the next level. Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Don’t give up!

Don’t let the players hear the disgruntled moanings. The season has a chance to turn around, but if the players hear this B.S. they are going to quit and really make this season a train wreck.

Get on board, support Tubby, support Auburn, support our players, support your school, support the sport, suuport your pride and stand up for UA when times get tough!

By GeoffDawg

October 14, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Hmm…just my opinion Leisha but I don’t think you need a great quarterback to run the spread, just a decent one. The spread is designed to mask deficiencies in personnel by creating mismatches. A program with the resources of Auburn shouldn’t ever run into problems of sub par talent which is why I believe running the spread at some of these big time programs like Auburn and Michigan will just be a passing phase. Teams like West Virginia and Oregon who embraced it earlier are the programs more in need of that kind of scheme.

By Munson's Call

October 14, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

THWF, your post made my morning.

To the rest of you, think before you type. If you can.

By nathan

October 14, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

who gives a rats a* who many freaking games you win. Auburn like any other big SEC program should be based on SEC championships and and and tubs has give the tigers One SEC championship in 10 years and now this soap opera. No doubt his time has come and gone. Let me repeat one SEC championship in 10 years. For a program that prides itself in being in the upper part of the SEC that is flat out PATHETIC. Quite honestly if he had not beaten some god awful bama teams six years in a row we would not even be having this conversation because tubs would have been gone a while back.

By L. Grizzard

October 14, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

GatorNation: I’m back to remind you of one other reason - Clemmons has a better lake.

By Bamafan

October 14, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Auburn should not fire tubby, but Fulmer needs to go right asap!! The vols are a joke to watch on tv!! I hope that Miss St. beats the vols and bama should beat the vols by a couple of touchdowns!! Being a bama fan i should enjoy seeing that the vols and cow college are falling on hard times. I LOVE IT!! Like tony said be careful who you pick to run your program, Bama has master degree on picking bad head coaches. We are just coming out of the wilderness and are #2 in the country and looking for better things (national titles) ROLL TIDE BABY!! WAREAGLE WAY ARE YOU SIR!!

By a fan

October 14, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

I think you writters have gone beyond reporting the news. How are you evaluated. Correctly predicting the winner 90% of the time is easier than a coach winning 70% of their games. Coaches should be evaluated largely on win-loses and how they manage the players/program. Bowden was an excellant recuiter thus creating unrealistic expectations. Whereas there is no pressure on Spurrier in the same state a few miles down the read because there are not any expectationa. He came in as a loser with the Redskins and is having tough time picking up where Holtz left off. So is coach evaluated on expectations he bring on or his record and what is the record of AJC sports writters. Would like some evalations of the group since they are always passing judgement on others. Thanks,

By Will

October 14, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

GATOR NATION:

The problem for Tenn today is a simple one: It’s recruiting. Tenn has one of the poorest high-school football talent pools and Fulmer cannot just come into GA or Alabama and hand pick these kids he wants.

I think UGA has made the biggest impact on their recuiting over the past 10 years but I would also say that Kentucky, Vandy, Allbama, USC, and Clemson have all held their own in keeping some of the best in state kids. Heck, even Memphis has a talented squad every once in a while. It’s just not the same market it was when Fulmer was winnig all those championships. I bet Eric Berry wishes he had a do-over.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

October 14, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

athensdawg said “Richt instilled some discipline and look what happened”.

Discipline? LMAO!!! Who leads the nation in penalties and off season arrest?

I’m just saying…

By Bruce

October 14, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Yes, Tony, you are right. Just last night, conversation around the coffee table was about Bowden departure now open the exit door for Fulmer and TUBERville. By our estimates, Fulmer is gone. Tub is just on the hot seat. And you are right about making the wrong move just to be making a move. Nebraska fired Solich and should have hired Paul Johnson. Instead they brought in the spread and their once proud historic program looks dead. Johnson should have been their choice then. Look what he’s doing at the North Avenue Trade school. Think what he could have done for Nebraska. With a little luck UT can get that guy from Syracuse…he likes coaching Orangeman. I just hope Clemson doesn’t get Chris Hatcher from GSU. I’d like him to saty around for a while.

By GeoffDawg

October 14, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Fan, Have you never heard of the concept of an editorial? Tony is being paid by the ajc for his opinion and analytical insight. Not just to report the news. These blogs wouldn’t be nearly as active if all he did was give a bulletted list of facts.

By quaildawg

October 14, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Does the same formula apply to Journalist???? That fully explains the AJC’s declining numbers!!!!!!!!!

By GeoffDawg

October 14, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Who leads the nation in embarrassing themselves against Gardner Webb?

Just saying…

By Gen Neyland

October 14, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

I’m not on the Athletic BOD’s at any of the schools Tony mentions. They are all internal affairs of which I have no vote, nor do I wish to apply one. I have an opinion and it’s this : To sum up it up, coaching changes take place for a variety of reasons. Poor seasons being one of them, successful seasons being aother. A HC would love to hold the cards in their moving on or moving out process, but as in Bowdon’s case it was decided for him. Les Miles was in the drivers seat last year but opted to remain at LSU. Should Fulmer get the boot, many more options are availabe to UT than to Fulmer. He’s Tennessee through and through and the farthest he’d move would probably be Carson-Newman, if they even offered.

IMO, Fulmer’s biggest mistakes have been in evaluating young Assistant Coaches talent and keeping them on board by moving them up or out. Randy Sanders was a failed experiment. Trooper Taylor should have been moved up. He connected with the players and was respected by the team as well as a darn fine recruiter. All he’s done since leaving Tennessee has been to help elevate OK ST…Yeah, Fulmer’s troubles begin and end with putting the right men in the right jobs…

By JB

October 14, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I think Tuberville has earned the right to have a down year.He will lose to Bama this year but good grief, he’s owned them. Fulmer needs to step aside and finish that contract shuffling paper and stay out of the way. Go DAWGS……

By Phildo

October 14, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Maybe Auburn, UT, or Clemson will be intersted in Gailey. Clemson would be perfect for Tech because CPJ could pound on him every year. Auburn or UT would be perfect for UGA because he is already one of their favorite whipping boys. And, he could still maybe (emphsis on maybe) win 6 games and get any of them to a Toilet Bowl each year.

By merculf

October 14, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Are we at a point in time where a team can’t have a down year so we need to fire the coach? This is the SEC and anyone can beat anyone on any saturday. Look at what is going on this year with the sucess that VAndy is having. One bad year shouldn’t take away from what the teams have done on a consistant basis over the years. Bama was down for a while, UGA had some tough years, AU is having one now. It goes in cycles. To throw away a coach’s body of work over one sub-par season is wrong. If there becomes a trend where the team is consistantly down or not living up to expectations for a couple of seasons, then i would look at the coach (see Clemson) but one year shouldn’t be the end all. I would say that Fulmer is in more trouble than Tubby and should be looked at but to say that Tubby needs to go right now is going to put AU in a bad place for the next few years. Who is out there that is going to better? To say that Tubby should go to Clemson because it would be easier to win is like saying that he isn’t up to the challenge. If you look at Tubby’s record he has beaten every coach in the SEC consistantly and has a winning record against them all! WDE!

By JB

October 14, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

PS: If Saban sweeps the state again recruiting, that will perk up some ears on the Plains. Tommy needs to hire a NAME for OC. Won’t be easy, folks leave pretty quick and often over there.

By Neil

October 14, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Fulmer’s program is just stale,,, UT and Fulmer both need a new start,,, Their recruiting is just average and that wont hack it in the SEC… has been good for the program but is just STALE as in ALE,, off to the frig,,

By PTC DAWG

October 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Ok, UT won the SEC East last year, and AU has had VERY good teams for quite a while (remind me again the last time Bama actually beat Auburn?). And folks want these two Coaches FIRED?

That’s just crazy talk.

By Eric1

October 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

I’d just like a little stability. It seems like there’s some issue with CTT every year. I like him and I’d like him to stay, but let’s get past all this yearly drama and just do the freaking job. War Damn Eagle!!!

By m

October 14, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Tony, how in the world can you write a column about coaching changes and not mention the best coaching change in the history of the world???? Firing Chan Gailey and replacing him with Paul Johnson is the best coaching change in history. Are you so dense that you not even aware of it??? Hallleedamlooooyah. The worst coach in the history of the world is gone FOREVER.!! Maybe the AJC should replace one of the worst sports writers?!?!?!

By Kelly

October 14, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Tuberville is a very good coach and we should keep him at Auburn. I really think we will fall behind if we go looking for a coach at this point. He seems to know how to fix issues and although its a bad season I think with these new recruits we will be back in the think of the SEC championship race. WDE

By shane#1

October 14, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Firing Tuberville now would be a mistake, just look at his record. As for his winning “only” one SEC title, has anyone taken a look around the conference? I can’t think of any program in the SEC that is poorly run, even the traditional whipping boys like Vandy or Missy State. There are at least ten very good to great coaches in the SEC, no one team is going to dominate this conference. Auburn should be putting out feelers for a coach however. If Petrino doesn’t get the job done at Arky, and he has shown nothing this year to make Me believe he will, Jerry Jones will be duck hunting with Tubbs again. Just a word of warning for My AU friends. Fulmer is another story. I thought he did a hell of a job of coaching last year. Winning those close games at the end of the year and slipping into the SECCG was a masterful feat. However, after 17 years maybe his time has come. Hopefully he will step down if his heart just isn’t in it anymore.

By Eric1

October 14, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

m, you’re talking about the past…this column is about the future. WDE!!!

By Brad

October 14, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Ramble on, I like CPJ too, but I don’t know about Best Coach in the Nation jessst yet. Ya gotta take care of Gardner Webb first, and no winning 10-7 ain’t gettin’ it done. He’ll get his chance, though.

By Big Orange Fan

October 14, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I’m very impressed with the thoughts being expressed here. I’m a UT fan and agree that it’s time for a change on Rocky Top. Recruiting is tough as many of you mentioned, and getting tougher as the border states tighten up (Butch Davis, Richt, Saban especially). I admire Tuberville but don’t pretend to have real insight there. I wouldn’t get rid of him personally. Can we call for a moratorium on comments about Fulmer’s weight? I made them myself and thought they were funny, but at this point it’s completely unoriginal. These jokes are 5 years old at least.

By Ryno

October 14, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Fulmer’s overall record is as good as it gets, but in the conference he has a losing record to Saban, Meyer, Richt, Tuberville (at Aub), and Miles. These guys just happen to be his main competitors for the SEC titles which have eluded him for ten years..one of the longest stretches of no titles in school history. Add to that a stale same ole, same ole feel to his offenses (Clawson’s west coast attack has never been unleashed this season)and it’s easy to see why we (UT fans) want him out. I, and many, many others are willing to suffer through a losing season or two with a new coach if it means new blood, new ideas, and no John Chavis. When the great UT announcer John Ward retired after the ‘98 season (we miss you SO much, John), he simply said, “it’s time.” I hope Fulmer can go out with such class in the next week or two.

By Scott

October 14, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

You can stick a fork in Philip Fulmer…why this man cannot recruit a good quarterback is beyond me…David Cutcliffe was his crutch…as for Tub,his whole career has been throwing his assistants under the bus…I pray that Ole Miss finally kicks his a**

By Budweeeser Drinker

October 14, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

I here Saban is going to coach the Rams next year. Go dogs sick em meow meow.

By Chuck

October 14, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Bowden fired his own brother-in-law 2years ago to help save his own skin. He took Ray-Ray’s scholarship away. Karma.

By Eric1

October 14, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Scott=dumbass.

By HOT OFF THE PRESS

October 14, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

HOT OFF THE PRESS. UT and PENN ST are in a battle for Saban. They are offering 6 to 7 mill a year. Saban is thinking about this real hard, UT is not far from his lake house but his mother lives up north and he would like to spend time with her also. Bama better start looking for a new coach because there is NO BUY OUT CLAUSE in his contract and he feels that his job is done in Bama.If UT wants him they better jump on it now.

By Ed_dawg55

October 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Folks this is no lie: A sign in the Tennessee section this past Saturday’s game at Georgia!

Ticket to the Game $40 Tank of gas to get Here $80 Fulmer coaching his last game: Priceless

I am not shocked by the sign, just that fans of schools like Tennessee have sunk to that level.

By Tennessee Lover

October 14, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Jim Donnan said it best when he said Fulmer is stubborn and wants to play the way he did. ‘Three yards and a cloud of dust.’

This year, his biggest loss was David Cutcliff. The replacement is in way over his head, it seems.

The offensive line is mature, yet Tennessee can’t seem to run the ball. Bad play calling if you ask me.

For the sake of change, UT needs to try and bring Cutcliff back or maybe Walt Harris who used to be ‘Air Tennessee’ offensive coach. They should also consider Darryl Dickey.

Georgia stole the best recruiter UT had who could bring in greats such as Reggie Cobb, Webb and Jamal Lewis. Of course, the recruiter overlooked too much as far as character is concerned which is biting Ga. now.

I really feel a change is needed, maybe just for the sake of change,

By Billy

October 14, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

The problem for Tuberville is Nick Saban is going to own that state for quite awhile. I think he will be able to outrecruit and outcoach anyone Auburn brings in.

By 2N4YEARS

October 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

What AthensDawg said.

By Melvin Strottlemyer

October 14, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

The secret is to win more games and more championships so the fans will be happy. If more coaches would do this things would be a lot better for everyone.

By JJack

October 14, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

As a UT grad, I’ve watched the program for the last 25 years - Fulmer is done. He should have been shown the door after last year, but the rest of the East leaders collapsed and gave us the division title. Most of our wins last year were in close games that we should have never allowed the competition to be in the game.
Without Cutcliff the offense is predictable and ineffective, Chavis seems to have problems motivating the Defense at times.

Clearly Fulmer is burned out. His teams do not show up to play, we no longer win the recruiting wars with the elite teams around the country (much less the SEC), and the play calling is out of touch with the game. Every week I watch UT, I hope that we lose an ugly game. Each loss is another step closer to a new coach.

I appreciate what Fulmer has done for our program through the years, but he should have left about five years back. I hope we find a good replacement, and that’s a definite risk - just ask any Bama fan - but we cannot succeed any longer with Fulmer.

By AltamahaDawg

October 14, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

shhhhh people, shut up! Roswell Ed is about to speak.

By LeishaC

October 14, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Actually, for the spread to operate most effectively, you must have a QB that is better than good. Maybe not a rocket-armed passer, but you need someone who is versatile, and smart enough to run a wide-open offense. He must be comfortable with fakes, screens, dump passes, reverses, bootlegs, and such, so he needs to be well-rounded. As much as I hate the gators, Tebow is a good example. He’s not a classic pocket passer, and probably wouldn’t have near as much success in that type offense. However, he is perfectly suited to the spread offense. Kodi Burns at Auburn showed flashes of that, but he’s far too streaky and inconsistent to be the leader AU needs. Chris Todd, for all his so-called experience, is not any better. The OL at AU hasn’t helped matters either, because if Lester and Tate had holes, they would run through them. I’ve been disappointed in AU’s play-calling too. I guess I’m just not a big fan of the spread.

By dean

October 14, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

It’s hard to say what makes one coach successfull and another not so much. By all indication Bowden should have done better. Why did Richt do so much better with Donnan’s athletes? Whatever the reason I think Clemson was never going to get any better under Bowden so it was the right decision. Both Fulmer and Tubberville have atleast shown the ability to succeed at high levels. I just hope the UGA nuts don’t start calling for CMR’s head becuase he has a bad season. It happens to the best of them. College football can be very cruel at times. Georgia has a great coach and they need to make sure that we keep the consistency. He should be able to match Vince Dooley’s record over 25 years if not better.

By MrWrestling#2

October 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Fulmer needs to go. Looking at the visitors section in the 600 level of Sanford last week-end there were as many red shirts as orange. That means UGA were buying up the visitor’s tickets. This has never been the case when UT comes to Athens. This show’s there is a huge lack of faith in the UT program. According to an article in last week’s AJC there are a lot of empty seats in Neyland these days. A new campaign for some new club seats is getting little response from the money folks so I’ve been told. Rightly or wrongly it seems that the Phil show is over.

By dawgplace

October 14, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Richt and Saban are clearly the two best coaches in the SEC. Meyer won the title with Zook’s players, but his offense is a gimmick and he will not win any more titles. UGA should beat UF easy this year, and will beat Bama in the title game in a rematch, sending the Dawgs to miami to play Texas or Penn State for the national title. UGA will handle either of those two overrated teams. Tuberville and fulmer are old news, with out of date schemes and mediocre talent. UGA and Bama will rule the SEC for years.

By wes

October 14, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Tony is just ramming his Anti-Change ideology down our throats.

Go work for FOX NEWS, Tony….if not, at least try to stay out of politics.

That’s a slippery slope when even us “average Joe 6-Packs” can one-up you at your own game…”Beat Barhnart”.

By KneeJerk

October 14, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

athensdawg- were you serious when you said that Richt came in and instilled discipline in the UGA program?

By murfdawg

October 14, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Maybe Fulmer can keep his job by beating Bama and Vandy.Watching UT saturday, they would make a good play then two bad plays. I think the UGA drive before half-time kind of sums up UT football this year. Stop two runs inside the five , then give up a pass across the middle. Make a good defensive play on a pass break up but get a penalty, then make a bonehead play out of bounds and then the other team makes a good play. I feel for the UT fans and their frustration. Now that they are past us, I hope they get their problems straightened out.

By Will H

October 14, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

First of all, I’m surprised to hear all this banter against AJC columnists…especially Tony. In my opinion, Tony was right on in everything he said. As time goes on, college (and pro) fans slowly get tired of their coaches, even if their winning percentages stay high. Fullmer is gone. Too many UT fans have been calling for him to be fired for a couple of years now. Especially since Fullmer has not won an SEC championship in 10 years, and he is not winning games within the conference that really matter.

I do not think that Auburn should fire Tuberville. He has brought Auburn a long way, and has beaten Alabama six consecutive times. Auburn obviously did the right thing in firing their offensive coordinator, but Tuberville needs to be given at least one more year to prove himself.

As far as Tommy Bowden is concerned, he made the right move by stepping down. There was so much hype in the preseason about all of Clemson’s talent, and they suck. Clemson desperately needs to find the next Nick Saban out there to turn their program around.

By goober

October 14, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

What do T. Bowden, P. Fulmer, and T. Tuberville have in common? It’s the orange, stupid.

Beware of the urnge. Tennysee has lots of it. Clempson has some, but not as much as they used to. Aw-bun has enough, and they used to have a lot more too. Urnge is ugly, horrible and pukeful. Do you ever see a model, or actor/actress, or a politician, or a celebrity, or even just a commoner, ever wearing urnge?

And worse than just your basic urnge, at Tennysee they have to make it that putrid, bright day-glow, flourescent urnge! What recruit wants to be seen in that?

Please … retire the urnge. Winning will return in a hurry.

By Bobby

October 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Tommy Bowden is a good man, but he is not a very good Football Coach. He got the job based on his Dad. Ask anyone who has heard him speak at Coaches Clinics…he is not very good at X’s and O’s and his jimmy’s and Joe’s have not played real well either. Bobby Johnson should run as far away from Clemson as he can…two words…Ken Hatfield… Good Coach, better man…redneck fans. they don’t deserve Bobby Johnson…

By Bobby

October 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Tommy Bowden is a good man, but he is not a very good Football Coach. He got the job based on his Dad. Ask anyone who has heard him speak at Coaches Clinics…he is not very good at X’s and O’s and his jimmy’s and Joe’s have not played real well either. Bobby Johnson should run as far away from Clemson as he can…two words…Ken Hatfield… Good Coach, better man…redneck fans. they don’t deserve Bobby Johnson…

By Stewie

October 14, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Slight correction, Tony…Auburn has looked poorly coached only on the OFFENSIVE side of things, IMHO. And Tubs took the difficult, but correct step, in removing his under-performing OC (note there are rumors about rifts with other coaches and players, but the state of AL leads the world in rumors about their teams).

I have yet to hear my fellow AU grads calling for CTT’s removal. No doubt some are, but not in my circle of friends. There is general concern for the program, but most seem to realize CTT made a mistake in this hire and probably in the desire to move to the spread.

As for CTT changing coordinators so frequently, note that most of those have been DCs, with two leaving to the same position at a “better” program (Texas), and one leaving to become a head coach. CTT has always acknowledged that successful coaches at AU may well leave for greener pastures, and sees it as a natural reward for their success. If you were fantastic at your job and had a shot at a better one, would you want your boss to hold you back, or to be supportive of your career goals?

Long-winded, I know, but I say getting rid of CTT would be a mistake. Getting rid of that punk Lowder would be far wiser.

By **IPTAY Tiger**

October 14, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

The Bowden move needed to be done - wish it woeked out for him - but it did not.

Interesting rumor out of Clemson - Clemson is targeting a coach in Athens, GA.

If they are going after Richt - they will need to poney up huge books - but we could probably get him for the following reasons: 1. With the right coach - Clemson could go on a FSU type run.

1. ACC has more built in wins than SEC - easier to position for National Title.

2. Recent facilities upgrade

3. Close to Richt’s new lakehouse on lake Hartwell.

Richt is a targeted man!!!!

Go Tigers!!

3.

By Thank goodness for D-Rad

October 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

And, you know Tony, Nebraska’s return to prominence depended on them hiring the right coach. That coach was Paul Johnson. Thank God he’s at Tech.

By Music City Bowl Committee Member

October 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Interesting article. I don’t agree Tuberville should be lumped with Bowden and Fulmer, however. He’s won the SEC or the western division more than should be expected. This is a down year, the type that any coach will have. (The great Barry Switzer had down years 1981-1983, in which his teams lost 4 games each year, between great runs.) Also, that crack about a coach losing 10% of the fan base each year is asinine. I’d say an underachieving coach might lose that much, but a winner builds up at least that much. I also agree with the above posters who write that Donnan wasn’t fired merely for the sake of change. He never beat the real good teams, was mediocre against good teams, and occasionally lost to not-so-good teams. I.e., he’d mostly beat Ole Miss but always lose to Florida and Tennessee, and usually lose to Auburn. And, of course, his record against Tech was atrocious.

By voice of reason

October 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Seems to me that UT REALLY misses David Cutcliff. Maybe Duke will get their hearts broken and only enjoy having him for one season. If UT fires Fulmer, which they should, they should go get Cutcliff back in Knoxville. I, as a UGA fan, would be concerned about playing UT again because he made our defense look rediculous several times as OC of UT. And those were some very good D’s we had.

By Joe Mac

October 14, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

As long as Bobby Lowder is in command at Auburn, the football program will never meet the fans’ hopes or expectations and no good coach in his right mind would want to work in that environment. Lowder is Saddam Hussein.

By Gen Neyland

October 14, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

AltDawg

Rumor has it, REd is interviewing today for some football gig at Alabama West…

Tennessee Lover

Thought you might be interested in this quote from Trooper Taylor on his move to OK ST :

08MAR2008…“It’s fun getting back to the spread offense and hearing the formations being called the same way and hearing some of the plays being called the same way,” Taylor said. “It’s like I’m speaking the same language again where before I went to Pluto and I had to learn 3 yards and a cloud of dust again.”

By Ed

October 14, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

They are convinced that the next Nick Saban waiting by the phone.

That does it, I’m convinced that Nick Saban is the Barack Obama of coaching - more style and reputation than substance. Even Mr. College Football has bought into the hype.

There’s no other explanation for a coach who has one great season and one very good season interspersed among multiple 4, 5 and 6 loss seasons being held in such God-like awe. For a coach who is less than one year removed from a home loss to Lousiana-Monroe being treated like the Bear reincarnated. It’s baffling.

By dawgs2004

October 14, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Tuberville, here’s some advise like you gave CMR about learning to run the ball in the SEC if you want to compete and win. Hire you a O coordinator and keep him around for a few years instead of changing O coordinators every year.

By Drexel Gal

October 14, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I first noticed that Tommy Bowden had lost his grip on his team during the 2004 game against Georgia Tech. Clemson led by ten with two minutes to go, and lost. Sure, there was bad snap on a punt that led to the winning score, but immediately before that, Bowden deliberately let the play clock expire, rather than calling a timeout. The penalty gave GT five extra yards to work with, following the bad snap.

By Wozzo the Wonder Dog

October 14, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Conspiracy Theory I did some research and found out where Tony Franklin played college ball — Murray State University. Murray State has had Mike Gottfried, Frank Beamer and Houston Nutt as head coaches. Other assistant coaches to work there: Ron Zook and Ralph Friedgen. Hmmmmm.

By AUtiger

October 14, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Tubbs will stay for another year if he chooses to do so. Hell.. even our fans aren’t THAT crazy to run off a coach after one bad season. Now, our boosters are another story and trust me… Tubbs is feeling a lot of HEAT. To go in to a season with such high expectations and flop as bad as we have really stinks. I’m sure everyone else is enjoying it and go ahead and take your cheap shots while you can. This type of season can happen to any program who does not have a decent quarterback.

By Fact check

October 14, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Where do you get the idea that Tuberville changes offensive coordinators every year?

True, Franklin flopped and didn’t make a year. But Borges had four seasons and was let go when his offenses got stale. (Did you see any of AU’s games last year?) Petrino had 2 or 3 seasons as well before heading off to be a head coach.

Why isn’t anyone giving Nick Saban the same treatment for replacing his offensive coordinator after one 7-6 season?

By Ed

October 14, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Firing Tuberville four years after he ran the table in ‘04 is lunacy, but if it happens, I wouldn’t be surprised. That’s the state of modern college football.

Fulmer on the other hand has probably gotten as much mileage out of ‘98 as one could expect. Bowden got a lot of mileage out of his pedigree and his perfect season with Tulane in the 90s, but eventually the underachieving at Clemson caught up to him. But Tuberville? That would be nuts. Auburn people must have forgotten what life was like under Bear Bryant’s reign if they want to fire a coach who has beaten Bama for 6 straight years.

Not that I would cry for any of them. Most college coaches are overpaid egomaniacs who drop schools like hot potatos every time a better opportunity comes along. When they get fired, they are usually set for life. Most of us would trade places with Tommy Bowden and his $4 mill buyout in a heartbeat.

By saint nick

October 14, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

By Dawg Fud

October 14, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Bobby - you say that Clemson does not deserve Bobby Johnson. You may have overlooked that Bobby Johnson is a Clemson alumnus, class of ‘73. I married into a Clemson family and my father-in-law went to school with him.

IPTAY Tiger (if you are indeed a real IPTAY Tiger) - let’s suggest what you say is actually accurate…please explain how Clemson is coming up with $4 million to buy out Bowden, several more to buy out Georgia, and a couple more to pay Richt? Clemson cannot handle that kind of debt.

By CarolinaJacket

October 14, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Remember after the Bama game when Bowden called all those coaches and asked for advice? I said at the time that that was a strange thing for a really top notch coach to do. Caught a little hell on that, but now it seems that others question his coaching ability. He recruits some really good ones, but never learned to get the most out of them. After all of these years of coaching he should be telling others (new ones) how to improve, not asking others that question. If Clemson brings in a good one they will be back at the top of the ACC pretty soon.

By wendell ledbetter

October 14, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Ed….later on this year your team will get punched in the mouth like the rest of them. Auburn has always been our little bit*& and they will revert back to form. and for the record alabama is ua (the university of alabama) rtr

By #1 bamafan

October 14, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Ed….later on this year your team will get punched in the mouth like the rest of them. Auburn has always been our little bit*& and they will revert back to form. and for the record alabama is ua (the university of alabama) rtr

By volsrenee

October 14, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Here’s a thought - if you are a REAL fan, of any school, you do not want your team to lose for ANY reason. Certainly not to get rid of a coach. I am a Vol fan, a proud one at that, not a happy one though. And I have never and will never, root or wish for my team to lose several or all games in a season in order to have a coach quit or get fired. How is that being a fan??? Sounds like to me, that these “fans”, need to find a different “in” team and jump on their bandwagon! I for one as a true Vol fan would be happy to be rid of you!

By AltamahaDawg

October 14, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

What I never understood and questioned from the summer is this: Why were the expectations for Auburn so high this year? I never understood the preseason and early season love. And even after a couple of losses, still ranked? Would have certainly been better for AU and TT, and the fans, if the season had started with a wait and see attitude. New OC running a completely new style. But expected to go compete for the SEC right out of the gate???? Never understood that.

By Bama since 1971

October 14, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

hey, Don’t Go Tubby,

Only remember Auburn ALMOST getting to the next level during their undefeated season when they should have played for the NC but were snubbed. Beating Alabama six years in a row is an accomplishment but if that’s all it takes to make your season and you’re happy with 8 or 9 wins a year then by all means stick with Tubby. Also don’t know many coaches that don’t allow their assistants to talk to the press after the game but will send 19-20 year old kids out in front of the press to answer questions about what went wrong during an upset loss like Tubby did this past Saturday night. The same assistants that supposedly gave Tubby an ultimatum to either get rid of Franklin or they were leaving. But for the money that Tuberville is paid, I would think Auburn fans and the administration would demand more for their money.

By the way, beating AU would make my day as well but not my season because it’s one game and when there are bigger things to play for, then it helps to make my season but is not the only contributing factor. Seeing that “AU” as everyone knows except you, stands for Auburn University and “UA” stands for The University of Alabama. So makes me wonder just how much of a fan you are.

I applaud Clemson for making a change, for taking the initiative to try to correct their off course football team. As I said earlier, the money that these coaches are paid should demand results within a reasonable amount of time.

By The General Feeling

October 14, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

I doubt Phillip Fulmer will be fired. So expect to see/hear his retirement the week before the Alabama game. It will be his last shining moment…. defeating the #1 ranked Cheating Tide.

Tommy Tuberville is fine.

Tony Barnhead should be fired.

By Chris

October 14, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Do you really think that Auburn will shove out the door the man who brought them their longest streak against Bama after just one loss against them? I’ve noticed that it’s mostly non-Auburn fans that are calling for his head.

By YoungDawg

October 14, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

IPTAY Tiger, Keep dreaming! You might actually have a shot at Tuberville or if you want to raid a rivals & pull of a shocker then Spurier might li$ten. CMR has said MANY times that he wanted to make one move when he left FSU to take a HC job & he’s at UGA until they don’t want him any more. His entire family including his sister (who’s married to Brad Johnson) has moved to Athens. His buyout is something like 10 mill for this season (he asked for it to be insanely high to show his commitment to UGA & to ward off any potential suitors) so add that to Bowden’s buyout it would be around 14mill then they’d have to pay him more than he makes now. That’s a lot of money to be spending in good times let alone these bad economic times. My guess his he’d give UGA the chance to match any offer so if anything he could use Clemson to gain leverage on the UGA administration to get the new facilities & upgrades he wants ASAP instead of over a few years. The only Richt I can see going anywhere is John coming to UGA because of the mess up there & down at FSU. In other words since there’s no good safe place in the extended coaching family of CMR for John to go to so CMR will get over being worried about coaching his son & do what’s best for his kid. The real question is if Spence or Tommy get new jobs will Korn follow them there?

By SecIsFootball

October 14, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

dawgplace…while I agree that Richt and Saban are 2 of the better coaches in the league, you have to include Meyer in there as well regardless of who’s players he won a MNC with. Zook couldnt do it so the players obviously didnt do it on their own. Besides, he has a MNC and Richt doesnt. As for beating UF, apparently you didnt watch them dismantle LSU this past weekend. You also must not have watched UGA barely skate past USC and UT. As for a rematch with BAMA, I would not look for the same score but the final result in the win/loss column will be the same!!

By Kuder

October 14, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Clemson should look into hiring the man who does more with less- Houston Nutt!

UT should keep Fat Phil around. He won a national title for them. Is that anyway to treat that man.

Tubbs should take the money and retire to the booth.

By IfAndWhen

October 14, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

As a Bama fan, I would like to see Tuberville stay on at Auburn to see how he can do against Alabama now that we are off scholarship reductions. As far as keeping his job at Auburn, my Aubie buds say they want someone who can place AU in the upper tier of college football. They do not believe Tuberville is that guy. With Tuberville, there will always be infighting within the University. He is at AU, but some very powerful people and former coaches are not too pleased. Question to AU fans: Does Tommy really want to stay at Auburn? Is the 6M buyout keeping both sides from making a move? Did that keep Tuberville from taking the Arkansas or Texas A&M position? I’m not asking the questions to flame (I actually was at Auburn for a couple of years and enjoyed my time there), but the concensus among the AU folks I know is that he might have bolted and AU might have been pleased with that decision had it occured.

By Check your facts

October 14, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Because Saban had to replace his OC not because he fired him but because Applewhite left to go back to Texas. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

By Navigator

October 14, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

There has always been a belief that Fulmer stabbed Johnny Majors in the back (to get his job), when he could have helped him instead (with his loyalty). The shenanigans he pulled blowing whistles on other teams to enhance his own position are well known. I guess the old saying, “what goes around comes around” is proving right again.

By Danny

October 14, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

I have been Auburn Fan since I was 6 yrs old in 1972. Let Tuberville go!! He has been there 10 yrs and has won the SEC Championship once. If you know and follow Auburn football, that team was heavy in seniors in key positions.

Tuberville recruiting is terrible, the only reason he got the players he did was because Alabama was on probation. Now their off and look at his talent pool.

Wake up and smell the roses. Change is always better than the same old way of doing things. If we listen to back wood individuals hell we would still have slavery and out houses.

AUBURN MUST CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!

By newrandyt

October 14, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Well spoken Volsrenee.

As a Vol who lived in Knoxville throughout the Johnny Majors years, I was ecstatic that Fulmer took over. Majors always lost to AL, often lost to Florida, and always lost at least one or two games to someone totally off the shelf like Rutgers or VA. The problem with Fulmer has been stated repeatedly in this and other blogs…the game has passed him by. He pretty much owned GA, but then Spurrier came along and suddenly he was facing the Johnny Majors/AL problem…he could not win.

My point is that without Cutcliffe, Fulmer has BECOME Johnny Majors, playing not to lose rather than to win. I do think that TN owes Fulmer for all he did to raise TN from that mediocrity that Johnny Majors kept us in, but that debt has long since been paid for by those seven figure checks he gets every year.

Personally, I hope that UT acts quickly while there are candidates like Vandy’s coach, Wake Forest’s coach, and perhaps Will Muschamp even. God help us all if they look to a 1AA “Richmond” type again.

By drjohng

October 14, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

It could be worse, you could be stuck with Tyrone Willingham. “Coach” Willingham can’t recruit, coach on game day, decide who to play where or in what circumstance: he burned the redshirt of a promising receiver putting him in for 3 plays when the team was down over 30 points in the 4th quarter-and the player didn’t touch the ball! At least Bowden was man enough to step down. Willingham just keeps babbling incoherently about working hard…..

By Bama Lifer71

October 14, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Would love for Bama and Auburn to be undefeated every year when they play each other for the simple fact of having the game mean more than just state bragging rights. Seems like when one team is having success that the other is not for whatever reason. I don’t hate Auburn but I do feel that if you are going to make an offensive philosophy change that you should stick to your decision and ride out the bad times until you can recruit the personnel that you need. After Saturday night, even though Franklin wasn’t doing that great with his offense, didn’t seem to be much improvement without him either.

By newrandyt

October 14, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

I guess Navigator’s comments have finally prompted me to say something that has been bothering me for a long time.

Did Fulmer stab Majors in the back? Perhaps, but Johnny should have been gone 10 years earlier, and it would have taken an armed militia to get him to leave. It was better for UT…just like GA cutting Donnan loose.

Regarding Fulmer ratting out AL, I have yet to read a single blog by an AL fan that starts with “Yes we were BLATENTLY cheating right out in the open, but what Phil did was unfair…”.

Personally I am glad AL is back, and yes I hated it when AL was nailed by the NCAA, but if AL had not tried to stonewall the NCAA, and just threw a guilty party or two under the bus, suggested giving up a few scholarships, and banning that AZZhole supporter for life, then they would not have been hit so hard. Your actions were as responsible as Fulmer for you getting nailed.

Do I think it is time to let Fulmer go, absolutely, but your criticisms of him are not even relevant to the issue.

By BAMA92

October 14, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Mark Richt went to the Bobby Bowden school of discipline. He will do anything to win. Nick Saban will win a NC before Mark Richt.

By Luxomni

October 14, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

TBowden is gone. PFulmer will be gone and, if Auburn knows what’s best for them, TTuberville will be back. Tuberville does have the support of most of the fan base. He’s won nearly 10 games a season over the past five years after inheriting a big mess from TaterTot. He and his staff evaluate talent well and, except for receivers coaches players up. There have been very few disciple problems and he graduates a higher percentage of his players than most folks realize. If only Bobby Lowder liked him, this would not even be a point to speculate. You’d think Lowder would have better things to do right now — like running a bank — than meddling in the football program again, but anything is possible.

By SEC Numero 1

October 14, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Nice article Tony. As tough as it is to suffer through a disappointing season (or 2), who can do better than Phil in Knoxville? I think UT better keep him around. The Vols are not half as bad as they look. DC John Chavis always fields one of the SEC’s best defenses. It’s no secret that the UT offense is a work in progress/slow motion, but Nick Stephens is just beginning to embark on an outstanding career. The young signal caller shows poise, confidence, and accuracy with the ball. The puzzle ain’t far from being finished. Keep Phil.
And just out of curiosity, do you see a HC position for Chavis any time soon?

Maybe Auburn can go get Paul Johnson off the flats. For the most part, he looks like a candidate for coach of the year. There’s a chance that he’d like to coach some real football. You don’t find much of that in the acc.

By Spike

October 14, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Tubbs will stay. Fulmer is gone after the season. Clemson, don’t flatter yourselves to much. Nobody decent wants to come there to coach.

By sherlock

October 14, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

Rub-a-Tub Tubby. We will miss you.

By longdawg

October 14, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

I’ve had a blast reading these posts. Funny stuff. Just a couple of comments; Ray Golf-could recruit, couldn’t coach. He’s what you get when alumni get involved. Jim Donnan- couldn’t recruit or coach. Had a terrible bedside manner for a high profile job. He’s what you get when you have to settle for your second choice. Fulmer is burned out-should go. Tubberville deserves more time. As for the bumblee’s comments on discipline- Tech grads always change the subject when the discussion is about winning and losing. You heard it here first- the bloom is off the rose for Les Miles. I am glad Florida knocked that smirk off his face. LSU will go down several more times this year.

By SEAdawg

October 14, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else find it funny that IPTAY Tiger didn’t even bother to throw in the obvious hook about Richt to Clemson— coaching his son? But as nice of a dream as it may be for the Clemson Tigers, It. Ain’t. Gonna. Happen. Why would you leave a team that is already a contender to join one that is a perennial underachiever? If the program was in decline, maybe, but all the pundits are saying UGA is going to be top 5 for the next 2-5 years, at least, depending on graduations, early entries into the NFL, injuries, etc.

As to Fulmer, I think he probably has got to go; even the fans who are on the message boards apologize for him/the team this year want him gone. I’ve always said that Fugu Phil has always been too stubborn, and that eventually it would bite him in the butt.

My guess is that Tuberville is safe— for this year, even if he has the most powerful Auburn booster against him. One year isn’t enough to risk upsetting the apple-cart. But AU going to have to produce next year, else Lowden can claim it’s a trend, not a bump.

The common thread between both coaches? Their assistants. Look at Fulmer: when Cutcliffe left, his offense goes in the tank. Tuberville can’t seem to keep D-coordinators, and has gone through a few OCs as well.

Compare that with Saban, Richt, Miles, even Meyer, all of whom identified and hired top talent and then make sure to retain them (well, I guess it’s still early in Saban’s tenure, so the jury is still out.)

But the fact is, who can really say what will happen, even with new coaches in place at either or both UT and AU? As competitive as things are in the SEC these days, would new coaches even have two years to ramp up, or would that put them too far behind the elite programs?

You gotta think about that, too.

By Tech Fan in UGA Country

October 14, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Athensdawg,

I hate to point this out, but if you lose 10% of your support per year, that comes to losing just over 50% of your support after 8 years. (cumulative affect: 2nd year you only lose 10% of 90%, or 9%, etc.) Not that it really makes any difference, because I am sure CMR’s support is at least as high as it was in 2001, but your math is wrong. I do agree with your main point, win and everyone will love you, lose and no one will.

By Rockydog

October 14, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Scott did you ever hear of Peyton Manning ? Fulmer recruited him to Tennessee. Fulmer has been down for the count before and got back up off the matt. Don’t count him out yet.If Tennessee pulls an upset against Bama, Fulmer will get a raise and new contract.

By golfnut0517

October 14, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Fulmers’record last 29 sec games is 14-15 and Johnny Majors record his last 29 sec games was 21-7-1.Enough said time for Phil to go if he cares about the university the way he says he does he will leave NOW!not at the end of the year NOW!

By wes

October 14, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Tuberville is a jackass - I love seeing him lose more than I like Georgia winning. I remember his remark after the 2001 UGA/AU game. I also remember last year when he told the CBS crew at the half with Georgia leading, that AU was dominating the line of scrimmage and they were really not too worried about Georgia. Well, let’s see, AU only lost by 4 TDs last year and only 3 in 2006. I’d say Georgia was dominating. I wonder if he still holds hands with his players now? What a smug jackass. After Georgia “dominates” AU for the 3rd year in a row and Saban kicks his a*, maybe ole Tommy will run off to Clemson where he can tell all the ACC coaches he’s going to run the football and dominate them!

By Lou

October 14, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Why would UGA fans want Fulmer to stay? He owns the Dawgs.

By settle down war eagles

October 14, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

I am a UGA alum, and I will say that Auburn would be CRAZY to fire Tubberville. If this is a “bad” season for Tubberville, then Auburn is in good hands.

Fire Tubberville…are you guys serious?!?! For UGA’s sake, maybe I should hope Auburn tries to get rid of Tubberville like a thief in the night again?

There are only 4 schools in the SEC that have no excuses for not being a top 25 team every year…UGA, Florida, Alabama, and LSU..and perhaps Ole Miss. As THE state universities, and being good recruiting states, these teams SHOULD be top 25 every year. S.Carolina should be in this group, but they are cursed.

Auburn, and Tennessee both must recruit out of state to be good at all…they are VERY tough jobs.

By Sautee Dawg

October 14, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Feel for Bowden and his family and for Tony Franklin and his as well. I’m sure the pressure of the positions they held was overwhelming. Imagine fans and alumni and AD.’s expecting miracles from them and 90 or more players looking to them for leadership. Guess thats why coaching pays what it does. You get paid for dealing with it. Some simply deal with it better than others. Tubberville and Fulmer are great coaches and so are Franklin and Bowden, All will find work elsewhere. All 4 would probally be just as happy somewhere coaching a high school team with less expectations and income just because they like to coach. Coach spurrier and Coach Carrol are much happier at the college level than pros, look how long it took petrino to step down a scale. Butch Davis, list goes on and on.

These programs and fans should think twice before kicking these coaches aside, having proven they could win in the past should count for something.

By JohnnyTide

October 14, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

I hate it when coaches get fired. Especially if they were an alumni of the school. In Fulmers case, he helped Johnny Major lose his job so no sympathy there. On the other hand, Tubberville told the old Miss players he would only leave in a pine box. I hope he is fired. He showed no feelings when he fired Franklin. Get gone Tubby and happy trails to you.

By TrueCrimson

October 14, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

I’m trying to come up with a scheme in which each SEC school can win at least ten games every season. Then we won’t have to deal with so many coach firings.

I’ll check back and let you know when I get the details worked out. Maybe you shouldn’t hold your breath!

;-)

By jcy1968

October 14, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Tuberville voted UGA 7th at the end of the regular season in the Coaches poll last yr…he screwed UGA……I love it that Auburn stinks….

By jcy1968

October 14, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

I watched the replay of the Vols vs Dawgs on CSS today..(VOLS network)…I came away with 2 things…Fulmer’s lost 30bs..(give him that he really has)…..and his pre-game speech put me to sleep….

By DH

October 14, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

Tony, I think you are right about coach fatigue. There is always more support and excitement going up the ladder than expecting to near the top every yr. Tubberville is a good coach who runs a clean program and presents a good image but there is simply no excuse for how bad Auburn is on offense. Any good high school coach could have taken that talent and done better. I know that AU does not have even a good QB and haven’t had since Campbell. It may be time for a change for both parties. I really think he punished Auburn last yr with his squeeze play and it hurt recruiting as well as his support. The vexing thing is that he is having a great recruiting yr this time if he can hold on.

By ALi

October 14, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

It’s not just about beating Bama. Auburn wants a SEC championship, and to be players in the national picture. Mediocracy is not good enough.

By Jeff

October 14, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Ha! I predicted Fulmer would resign or be fired this season back in January when David Cutcliff left. I knew this would happen though it has’nt happened yet, but it will sure as the sun rises tomorrow.

By Jeff

October 14, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

To Auburn ” The party’s over now it’s time to go home”. That is what happened as soon as Alabama hired Nick Saban and the Tiger nation knew it. They knew they were back to being that red headed step child just like Tech is to Georgia. They had a wonderful dream going for a while. Good things don’t last forever. Reality Check Time!

By Jeff

October 14, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Rockydog, yeah they need to give fat Phil another fat raise. They really need to raise his lard A$$ off the floor and kick him out the door. I’m no Vol fan but I do remember had he lobbied to get Johnny Major’s job. He was the secret witness against Alabama. Karma baby!

By Duluth Gator

October 14, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Being a Gator fan, I hope Fulmer stays at Tennessee for many years. As for Tubberville, it dosen’t matter who coaches AU, we just can’t beat those guys.

By WarEagleWorld

October 15, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

TRUE Auburn Fans need to simply settle down, be patient, and tell the rest of the world - including those few loud-mouthed Auburn fans who want Tuberville gone - to just get a grip.

Auburn has been, is, and will be, in good hands with Tuberville. There’s no reason to have simplistic, knee-jerk reactions and call for a replacement everytime we go through a down period.

There’s no reason to throw away a great coach simply because the AlaBummers are having a good year while our team has had some struggles.

Compare Tuberville to Nick Satan,,, uh, Saban.

Look at Saban’s 12 years coaching at the three major colleges he’s been at.

5 seasons at Michigan State, 5 seasons at LSU, 2 seasons at Bama

Overall at those 3 schools 95 wins -vs. - 46 losses and 1 tie, a winning percentage of .669

During those 12 seasons, Saban has only 4 seasons with 9 wins or more. That’s a mere 33% of the time.

He never had a perfect season record, but did win a split of the disputed National Championship ‘03-’04.

Then look at Tuberville’s 10 years at Auburn.

Overall 84 wins -vs- 36 losses, a winning percentage of .700

During that 10-year period, Tuberville has 6 seasons with 9 wins or more. That’s 60% of the time.

Included in that is a 13-0 perfect season. AND —— Tuberville has a 4-2 record head to head against Saban in the 6 games they’ve played.

AND —- he’s beaten Bama 6 years straight.

Quit drinking the stirred-up-by-Finebaum Kool-Aid and get reallistic. We’ve got a great coach. He may need to make some adjustments and changes in the position coaching, in the type athletes we recruit for our version of the spread, and even in the ratio of run to pass, but all in all, there’s no need to panic.

By Chuck Uga

October 15, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Hey Auburn fans: Prior to Pat Dye, how many years passed from your previous SEC title? That’s what I thought.

UT fans: Who you gonna hire that can turn it around? I see UT sliding further before they can get better if they fire Fulmer or he steps down. Just a bad idea. No need looking down here for players…Richt has this State LOCKED DOWN!

Clemson? Good luck, your time has passed now that the U is back and UNC has Buch Davis on the way to the top of the ACC. Tech won’t win anything but they will pull some upsets. Might even beat UGA once every fifteen years.

Ramble On!!!, your post above makes you the biggest idiot on the this blog.

By butch

October 15, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this

I agree with this article however some coachs are able to weather the storm or at least they could in years past, but now so much more is put on winning. For those who may not know that once upon a time at Alabama they wanted to get rid of Coach Bear Bryant after about 10 years, thought the game had passed him by, but he changed to the wish bone offense and won another 3 national titles, so like Mr.Hurt says be careful what you wish for.

By DAVILDAWG

October 15, 2008 3:20 AM | Link to this

At the end of the year, besides ‘urnge’, will Climpson, Tenersey and Ar-bun have in common? A coaching ENEMA.

By Elmo

October 15, 2008 5:39 AM | Link to this

Keep all of these B*stards ! Got Nick ?

By TrueCrimson

October 15, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

WarEagleWorld,

It is fair enough to compare Tommy Tuberville’s record at Auburn to Nick Saban’s record in the same time period.

When you do this, however, you need to take into consideration the fact that Nick Saban was taking over football programs that had been in deep trouble for a long time. It is his ability to turn a program around that made him so attractive to the University of Alabama.

Tommy Tuberville inherited an Auburn football program built by Pat Dye. Terry Bowden screwed the pooch as an interim coach, lucking into an undefeated season along the way. Tommy also benefited from NCAA sanctions against UA when he came to Auburn. Ignore that if you choose to.

Tommy is a good coach and I hope that he stays at Auburn as long as he can.

By Ed

October 15, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Lou, Fulmer has lost 6 out of the last 9 against Georgia. Fulmer head-to-head against Richt: 3 wins, 5 losses. If that’s your idea of owning someone, then I hope your team get similar results the next 8-9 years. He may have owned the series before Richt, but Peyton Manning is long gone. So is Goff and Donnan.

And to all of you Saban lovers:

Nick Saban is now what, 12-6 in his return to college football? Richt was into his third year before he lost his 6th game. I can’t tell who’s more hyped or overrated - Saban or Charlie Weis.

Saban has lost 6 games in a season 3 times (with Mich. St. and Alabama), lost 5 games in a season 3 times (Mich. St. and LSU), and has a 4 loss season and a 3 loss season. Good coach, but nothing extraordinary. His record would have gotten Tuberville and Fulmer fired for sure. The guy must have an invisible Teflon coat. Anyone remember La.-Monroe?

By tallahassee lassie

October 17, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

saint booby/not…will be #4