AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLetting Tuberville go a risky move for Auburn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In 1999 Tommy Tuberville was given the same mandate as every other new Auburn head coach: Make Auburn consistently competitive for the SEC championship and keep the Tigers even—if not ahead—in the rivalry with Alabama.
In the nine years before the 2008 season, it’s fair to say that Tuberville had successfully carried out his marching orders. He averaged nine wins a year, was 49-23 in the toughest league in college football, won or shared four SEC West titles, won the 2004 SEC championship with a 13-0 team, and was the consensus national coach of the year in 2004.
Going into this season Tuberville had not only stayed even with Alabama, he had dominated winning seven of nine including an unprecedented six straight. Auburn has three head coaches in the college football Hall of Fame: Mike Donahue, “Shug” Jordan, and Pat Dye. None ever beat Alabama six straight times.
But the lessons we learned from the recent dismissals of Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee) and Sylvester Croom (Mississippi State) were reaffirmed on Wednesday when Tuberville was forced to resign after 10 seasons. In college football, like any other business, you have to react to what the competition is doing or risk falling further behind.
And let’s be clear. This is not an action by Auburn. It is a reaction. The powers that be at Auburn can rationalize all they want, but if Alabama was not 12-0 and ranked No. 1 in the land, Tommy Tuberville would still be the head coach of the Tigers this morning. He would have been given a chance to fix the problems that caused a 5-7 season. Those problems were almost entirely of Tuberville’s making. He screwed up with the entire Tony Franklin/spread offense episode. He knew that.
Last Saturday I spoke to Tuberville on the field less than an hour before the kickoff against Alabama. He thought he was in pretty good shape in terms of keeping his job. His plan was to hire a new offensive coordinator who would re-establish Auburn as a power football team and let that guy bring in some assistants to help implement the offense. Some people in power had obviously let him know that he would probably survive.
But from his body language I could tell that he needed to keep the game close and be competitive against the Crimson Tide.
Auburn did neither losing 36-0, the Tigers’ worst defeat to Alabama since 1962. And when Tuberville’s post-season evaluation by the president and the athletics director stretched from Monday to Wednesday, there were obviously some problems. By early afternoon on Wednesday it became clear that a move had been made.
Tuberville will be fine. He’ll get half of his $5.1 million settlement in 30 days and the rest within 365 days. He can sit out a year and become a free agent at the end of next season. He’s one of the best I’ve seen at handling the media and would be snapped up by the TV boys immediately.
Auburn? That’s another story. History tells us that timing is the most important thing when it comes to taking that job. Pat Dye came in 1981, the year before Bear Bryant retired. Tuberville came in 1999, when Gene Stallings was gone and Alabama had begun its self-destructive run of four coaches (DuBose, Franchione, Price, Shula) in 10 years.
The timing is not right for the next coach at Auburn. Alabama will play for the 22nd SEC championship in its history Saturday afternoon. Win that one and the Crimson Tide will play for its 13th national championship. And by any objective measure, Nick Saban’s program is at least one year ahead of schedule. He and his staff are going to dominate recruiting in that state.
Get his hire wrong and Auburn could, like Alabama, go off on a string of new faces desperately trying to catch up with a Crimson Tide program that is clearly getting ready to go on a big roll.
Based on the comments I’ve seen, there were a lot of fans who were tired of Tuberville and just wanted something new. They want to get excited again with a fresh face who will give them hope. Auburn will hire a good coach and he’ll have a great press conference and those fans will be wringing their hands in anticipation of what is to come.
That was the way Nebraska fans felt in 2004 when Bill Callahan was hired as head coach. Frank Solich had averaged over nine wins in six seasons and had played for the national championship in 2001. But he just wasn’t sexy enough when compared to Mack Brown (Texas) and Bob Stoops (Oklahoma). Callahan, an NFL guy, was a fish out of water and went 27-22 and put the program into a severe hole.
Most fans are rational but a lot fans are like teenaged boys. They are always convinced that there is a prettier girl in the next room and that if they could take her to the prom instead of their old date, life would be perfect.
But here is the other part of that equation that fans don’t like talk about or ponder: If you move out a proven, if flawed, head coach in the desire to take your program to another level, you sometimes get that wish. But that next level is down, not up.
That is where Auburn is right now. This is a hire the school must get right or the Tigers could be in the football wilderness, relative to Alabama, for a long, long time.
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Comments
By Lakerat
December 4, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Has Lowder loaded up the jet headed for Fayetteville, AR yet in order to bring in Petrino? It has been a year since Petrino bolted from ATL, just the right amount of time for him to head off somewhere else. And, we all know that he is Lowder’s first choice!
By Geaux Tigers
December 4, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Great article Tony!
Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas.
By The man that made ROSWELL ED famous
December 4, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
The only thing in life that is permanent is a tattoo.
I think CTT had become stale. Look at his records over the last 5 yrs. Very average.
He is at best an average recruiter who got the most out of the kids that he could.
Will AU regret this move? Maybe, only time will tell.
At least I now have something to interest me when it comes to AU football. I still watched the painful games but I quit reading about them about 6 weeks ago.
Thank goodness for the FALCONS!!!!!!
WDE!!!!!
By Old Blue
December 4, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
The Auburn saga will get uglier. Recruiting will get more difficult and the other SEC teams gain a step. Kinda serves them right to let a proven, quality guy go.
By Gene
December 4, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Good assessment, Tony. Apparently Bobby Lowder considered Tuberville an interim coach when he was hired, and we remember the sleazy flirtation with Petrino. Seemingly Pat Dye and Lowder have more influence at Auburn than the AD and President. It was a big mistake to fire Tuberville, and Auburn will pay for it for a number of years. Big named coaches are not available, and it will take a younger coach several years to build a program at best. The one thing in Auburn’s favor is the immediate dominance of Florida. Saban will not win the conference this year or next, and he has a very short attention span. He will quickly head to greener pastures. I would not be surprised to see Dye and Lowder resume their flirtation with Petrino.
By Eric1
December 4, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I think this whole mess sucks. It makes us look like Alabama and I don’t like that. We should have more class than this. Auburn should be the Penn State of the south. Tommy Tuberville should have been at Auburn until he retired as a very old man. As far as I’m concerned Auburn can get out of the football business until jerks like Bobby Lowder are dead. And the sooner the better.
By War Jacket
December 4, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
No quality coach should consider working for such a bunch of idiots. Reports are indicating that they reached out to Leach before the TT news was released. You would have at least thought that they would have followed proper protocol after the infamous plane ride to Louisville. As a former player, I am embarassed to be affiliated with such a bush league university.
By AUJeff
December 4, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
The wrong person got the boot. Tubbs should have been allowed to stay, but Jacobs (AD) should’ve gotten the ax.
As long as Lowder and his cronies/puppets on the board (Franklin, McWhorter…) are in power, we’re in for a long and winding road.
Sorry TT, you deserved better.
War Eagle
By Observer
December 4, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Auburn fans and boosters are morons. They are getting rid of a proven winner without knowing who the replacement is going to be. They run the serious risk of becoming the doormat of the SEC west for the foreseeable future while Saban rebuilds the Bama dynasty at their expense.
The next coach at Auburn will last four years - or less.
By yound oldtimer
December 4, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Remember the days when you coached until something went bad wrong? twenty years ago a guy like Fat Phil would’ve retired whenever he felt like it and became the A.D (Dooley). Now he and Tubbs are gone, for what? Havind undefeated seasons and being consistant in the SEC!!!! Not the MAC the freakin SEC! I simply do not understand. Good coaches, Good Guys, not so good ways to be treated. Now a days
By Atlanta Gator
December 4, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Sad to see it happen, but it was probably inevitable after his botched attempt to implement a spread offense and the resulting 5-7 record and loss to Alabama. Tuberville deserves to coach a good Division I team somewhere. Here’s hoping he gets the chance.
By Drknowledge
December 4, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Nice thoughtful column as usual….as long as Auburn permits one booster to essentially control what goes into and out of the football program then they will have trouble getting to the higher level. It represents the worst in college sports. GO GATORS!
By TYLER
December 4, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
no Petrino he has a contract stip that says no SEC west move for him
By SouthGARules
December 4, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Tony: Typical of a knee jerk reaction by SEC schools. The proverbial “what have you done for me lately”. Unless Auburn gets someone that is an upgrade, I see them turning into Ole Miss when Cutcliffe was run off & Oregeron ran the team into the ground. It is very evident that you had better not have one off year in the SEC or you will be run. Who will Auburn get now?
By SecIsFootball
December 4, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
What a ridiculous move by the Barn. They are about to experience the long period of turbulent times that Alabama did because with the leadership in place at AU, no good coach in his right might would want to work for these people.
By Linesman
December 4, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Saban is evidently settling in for the longterm @Bama. He’s figured out he doesn’t go for Pro ball so his options are Bama or retirement. We will be a contender in the NC race for years to come.
He’s a great recruiter and this season he has proved he can coach up the aaverage ballplayer too.
Auburn can take care of themselves, but their PTB’s are destructive to their cause.
Auburn is now competing
By jim
December 4, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Eric-
You are certainly delusional. Your program has always been sleezy. It’s the most penatlized in the NCAA, you have booster that runs everything, you have grades that were changed for football players, even the best player in the history of your program couldn’t complete an entire sentence after 4 years of school.
Just remember eventhough you had 6 good years you’ll always be the ugly step sister…get use to it.
By young oldtimer
December 4, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Remember the days when you coached until something went bad wrong? twenty years ago a guy like Fat Phil would’ve retired whenever he felt like it and became the A.D (Dooley). Now he and Tubbs are gone, for what? Havind undefeated seasons and being consistant in the SEC!!!! Not the MAC the freakin SEC! I simply do not understand. Good coaches, Good Guys, not so good ways to be treated. Now a days there is no loyalty, so why be loyal to a school? The alumns and board members no remind me of fans and parents in the stands of a high school or rec league game that think they know what they’re talking about, you know who you are. Sickening
By IM4BAMA
December 4, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
All I can say is that they must have some type of agreement that Leach will be their coach.
It’s not right to let Tubbs go after one bad year after all he’s done for them. I will concede this though, he had definitely lost the state in recruiting. Going after spread type of players probably is the best route Auburn can still get, so go for Leach if you can. Only problem, going against SEC defenses will be a tough task for him, we ain’t the cupcake stuff he’s been going against.
By Scott
December 4, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
It’s rather funny to see Eric1 say that Auburn should be the Penn State of the south. This is the problem with Auburn in that their fans are delusional and believe that they actually have a premier program. The success that Tuberville had at Auburn was an abnomally and now that Bama has stopped self destructing Auburn has been relegated back to their historic role of being a program that should just be satisfied with making a bowl every year. Auburn has more in common with Mississippi State than they do with Penn State and Alabama. As soon as the Auburn faithful realize this the better off they will be.
By Will
December 4, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Big Tone,
Schools like UGA, UF, and Bama should clean house in recruiting this year. With coaching changes at Tenn, AU, problems at USC & FSU. There is no reason these three plus maybe Tech/Miami shouldn’t have a top 10 class.
Maybe my dawgs can go out and get a couple of kids who can rush the qb from the outside? Someone with speed and long arms. Not slow, short and stumpy. Maybe we can get someone else who can tackle as well.
I guess I’m still sore from last Saturday. I’m just still shellshocked over that lackluster second half performance.
By IM4BAMA
December 4, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
It’s a shame Auburn and Arkansas couldn’t just trade coaches to make everyone happy. Of course I think Arkansas is pretty darn happy with Petrino.
By bank walker
December 4, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
I agree guys, Tubbs shouldn’t have gotten canned. He’s a damn good coach. He and Phil Fulmer just had an awful year, like most people do during a lifetime. They just hired new OCs and they didn’t work out. I just feel for the guy. Good luck Tubbs from a Dawg!
By baloney
December 4, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Tubberville was a pretty good coach. The problem is that he coaches a regional team. Outside of the southeast hardly anyone could tell you what state Auburn is in. Also, while he beat Bama 6 straight it’s not like the Bama teams weren’t full of turmoil themselves. What did Tubberville do when Bama was at their best? Looks like Tennessee got first choice in who they wanted to hire.Noone was available with better credentials than Fulmer had. I guess they feel they got the so called pick of the litter. We’ll see what Auburn is left with.Clempson already has something called Dabo.
By Pete
December 4, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
I’m extremely disappointed in the Auburn program. Tuberville just had a down year and firing him is the worst thing Auburn could do at this point. Now Auburn is going to have to start over from scratch and, who knows, lose to Alabama another several years in a row before they can take another stab at becoming a great football program.
By Bill in ATL
December 4, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
I can understand the Fulmer move more than this one, although both are hard to fathom.
As to the replacements, the Vols have already severely misfired if you asked me. I was already thinking Bill Callahan before and Tony mentioned it here in the blog. I think that is the best comparison. The guy has never been a head coach in college and has a 25% win percentage in 1.3 years in the NFL. What are the Vols thinking? He may turn out ok, but this seems like an enourmous risk for a program like UT.
As to Auburn, I seriously doubt they will find better given the whole set of circumstances. Who are they going to find (who is a better coach than TT) that will be willing to go into that situation today?
By Red Elephant
December 4, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Auburn is run by Bobby Lowder, Jimmy Raines and Pat Dye. Tubberville gloated over the first two after jet-gate. But they got their revenge.
I smell the equivalent of a Ray Goff/Mike Sula hire down on the plains……Doug Barfield 2? I like the sound of that.
I’m trying not to smile…but not very hard.
By BobDog
December 4, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
How dumb could they be? Nobody is going to win 10+ every year these days in the SEC. There are going to be some down years.
As a UGA alum, I’m ready for them to go hire Bobby Petrino now. That’ll make ‘em really happy.
By reddykilowatt
December 4, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
Think TT would be interested in the Bullies?
By Rusty Pecker
December 4, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Good bye Wingnut! Hey Richt… your next buddy!
By Scott
December 4, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Any thought that Mike Leach would leave Texas Tech for Auburn is ridiculous. Why would Mike Leach go from taking a back seat to Texas to taking a back seat to Bama? This potential hire makes no sense on the part of Mike Leach. Auburn needs to be realistic in who might be interested in coming to Auburn as coach. They should go out and get a young guy who is a coordinator somewhere who is looking for his first head coaching job.
By Red Elephant
December 4, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Eric1,
Auburn is more like the Michigan State of the South. Come back to reality.
You have to get in line behind Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and LSU first.
Penn State of the South….funny.
By IM4BAMA
December 4, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I need to go place a bet in Vegas… You can’t tell me it’s not Alabama’s year. We have beaten all our rivals, broke all the streaks,are #1, playing for the SEC title,have coach Saban and he either directly or indirectly has caused a lot of SEC AD’s to p** their pants and fire their good coaches because they know they aren’t good enough to compete against Saban. Meyer,Richt and Petrino may also be the reason.
Let’s see: Bowden,Fulmer,Croom and now Tubberville. All faced the Tide this year and lost big and now their gone. I would also bet that had Clemson not faced the Crimson Tide at the beginning and got their manhood ripped out, they would have had a great year and Bowden is probably still there.
Maybe that article by Forbes at the beginning of the season stating the Saban was the “most powerful man in sports” was not that far off base after all.
Anyway, I’ve went through a lot of rough years as a Tide fan, if we can only win the next two, I will never ever forget 2008. It is if the stars have aligned.. Be very weary Florida fans.
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 4, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Eric1 = total douche. Just like every other Allbarn fan. Bunch o’ losers!
By GATORZONE
December 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Auburn will be sorry for this move. Undefeated in 2004 and fired in 2008. who is going to replace him with their unrealistic expectations?
By nachos
December 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Why would the barners want Mike Leach? He got exposed by Oklahoma a few weeks ago. That crappy offense will never work in the SEC. What a total joke, I cant stop laughing!
By hawk
December 4, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
TT would be a nice fit in the georgia system.
By JDW
December 4, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
TT guided Aubarn to the best 10 years in it’s football history. No where to go but down from here. The big $ alums will get just what they deserve.
By Autiger
December 4, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
Tony,
As a lifelong Auburn Tiger and alumnus, you summed up the situation perfectly.
By robt
December 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
If Auburn’s success is measured in relation to how well AL does, it will be sweet revenge when AL gets their asses kicked back across the state line by FL in the SEC Championship game this Saturday. It just goes to show the ignorance inbreeding produces.
How many collective imbeciles do you have to have in one group to dump a guy who got the consistent results Tuberville got playing in the toughest conference in college football?
To add insult to injury, AL barely got wins over so many mediocre teams it’s unbelievable that their #1; so much for the accuracy of the BCS process.
By Villa Rica DAWG
December 4, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Muhahahahaha!
My plan is working perfectly!!! Muhahahahaha!
Now, for the last phase of my plan! I will oust Urban Cryer after Tim Tebow leaves and the program comes crashing down on Urban’s own recruits instead of his predecessors!!!!!
Muhahahahaha!
Seriously, what in the hell is wrong with MSU, UT, and Auburn??? They just got rid of three excellent coaches…
By Gamecock Travis
December 4, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Tony, what do you think SC’s chances are of gett Nall for our O-line coach?
By IM4BAMA
December 4, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
I got to speak on this… You know when Alabama has fired it’s coach(s), we as a whole University and fan base, have always gotten raked over the coals for “having unrealistic expectations” and are unmercifully accused of living in the past by rival fans of the SEC and the media.
Those of you who laughed or criticezed Bama, I hope you extend the same courtesy to yourselves now and rip those other schools too.
By Sparge
December 4, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Wow. The parallels to the Tennessee situation are amazing. Successful, popular coaches canned after a losing season with no likelihood of the replacement being any better.
Maybe Auburn will at least be able to hire someone with a winning record or college head coaching experience.
By Mookie Blaylock
December 4, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Forgot what I wanted to write.
By CrimsonCarl
December 4, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Excellent point about the best Auburn hires being all about timing, Tony. But it goes further than just what is going on at Bama. Remember that Auburn has always had to recruit not only in AL, but also in GA and FL. The new coach will have to compete against the THREE most tenacious and effective recruiters in the SEC, which are currently in place in those states. GA won’t get any easier with Tech’s success. It had better be the right guy, or this will turn into a long-term problem in a hurry.
By Frustrated, Inc.
December 4, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Barnhardt, you might want to check your facts. Looks like Tuberville was going to be given a chance to stay on and correct his mistakes of this past season. He then waffled (a Tuberville trait, it seems)and decided he wanted to quit.
Hate to interupt the Auburn bashing with a fact based article from B’Ham News’ (and UGA Alum) Ray Melick. Tuberville appears to have resigned
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/122838211921690.xml&coll=2&thispage=2
`AUBURN FAMILY’ SAYS THANKS Thursday, December 04, 2008 RAY MELICK News staff writer Whether Tommy Tuberville resigned on his own terms or was forced to resign was a matter of debate among members of the “Auburn family” Wednesday.
But after the official announcement that the Tuberville era had come to an end at Auburn, the prevailing attitude was one of appreciation for what that era produced.
Tuberville “had his good years and he had some that weren’t quite as good,” said former Auburn coach Pat Dye. “One thing he could do, he won a lot of big games that he wasn’t supposed to win.”
Auburn University announced Tuberville’s resignation Wednesday night, a surprise ending to a 10-year career that produced an 85-40 record overall, 51-29 in Southeastern Conference play, including one SEC title in a perfect 13-0 season of 2004.
“Tommy came when we were struggling bad,” said Cole Cubelic, a Tiger lineman from 1996 to 2000. “Then we won the (SEC) West in 2000 and put Auburn back on the map. Obviously, this is disappointing.
“Sometimes we get caught up in the record, but look at the graduation rate of the kids, the fact that most kids stayed out of trouble off the field, and when they did get in trouble he handled it quickly.”
Former Auburn quarterback Stan White, part of the Auburn radio broadcast team, said Tuberville’s tenure has to be considered “a huge success.
“I hate to see it (end), because I think Tommy has done a great job for Auburn. He raised the bar. They played in two SEC Championship Games, won one, competed in the West year in and year out.
“You want to win as many SEC Championships as you can, but it should also count that he ran a clean program.”
Former Auburn and NFL place-kicker Al Del Greco, now a morning radio sports talk show host on WJOX, believed it was going to be hard for Tuberville to be successful if he had returned, given how many staff changes he was expected to make in the off-season.
“When you talk about replacing half the offensive staff, half the assistants and possibly both coordinators, I’m not sure how many people would have jumped into that situation (as assistants),” Del Greco said. “He won’t get a chance to rectify this past year, and that’s a shame. He deserved the opportunity.
“But I just don’t see that there was a way to keep him as head coach.”
Auburn trustee Paul Spina said Tuberville and Auburn officials had reached an agreement for him to remain as head coach on Monday, but that by Wednesday it was Tuberville who had changed his mind.
**”He met with (Athletics Director) Jay Jacobs on Monday and said he (Tuberville) wanted to start over and fix it, and they talked about who he could go after for assistant coaches,” Spina said. “Then he went home (Tuesday), and called Jay and said, `Let’s have lunch.’ They weren’t supposed to meet until after lunch.
“But at lunch, Tommy said he’d talked with (his wife) Suzanne and she wanted him to get out of the business. And Tommy said, `If Auburn will take care of me, that’s what I’d like to do.’”**
By jabster
December 4, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Letting TT go is not a risky move. It is a bonehead, STUPID move.
What is up with the SEC ripping on or getting rid of good or even great coaches that have an off year? TT, Croom, Phat Phil, CMR, and even Spurrier? The SEC is setting the expectations so dang high nobody is going to want the jobs.
Any of these could get a job easily in the ACC (except we’re good for coaches, now, thankyouverymuch—although Groh may have another trip to the hot seat next year) or any other DI-A program in the SE.
What if TT goes to MSU or SC and next thing you know, MSU is beating everyone in the SECW?
By Dawg Fud
December 4, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
good article, Tony.
By Mark
December 4, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
So what’s the over/under on the number of decades until another Auburn coach has a 6 year win streak vs. Bama?
By saint nick
December 4, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
I get so sick and tired of hearuing that Alabama blows threw coaches. Lets see here, Stallings retired, Dubose got fired for more reasons than losing mainly having affairs with his secretary AND losing, Fran left, Price used a school credit card to buy a hooker, and Shula was a pathetic coach. ENOUGH SAID!!!!! Auburn will lose 5 a year for many years to come!!!!ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!
By BobDog
December 4, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Flashback to 1979, Vince Dooley’s losing season at UGA. What if the news reports had been this?:
The University of Georgia has fired head coach Vince Dooley after his first losing season at Georgia. As a result, heralded running back recruit, Hershel Walker has committed to Clemson University.
By BamaTracey
December 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Bama Fan here. I have Auburn friends and I just have to say…..this was a bonehead move.
What first tier coach in his right mind is gonna leave a cushy set up to go to a school that would do this to one of its most successful coaches?
As for the person who says he resigned….HA! He doesn’t get the buyout money if he resigns. He and the “Lowder” powerbrokers just said that to try and save face.
Sorry for him that he was not appreciated. His main flaw was that he didn’t kiss Lowder’s….well his backside.
Good luck with your coaching search!
By btgoz
December 4, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
petrino has a clause in his contract that prohibits him from taking another job in the sec west.
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 4, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Where the hell is Roswell Ed ????
By Hogg
December 4, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
TT got what he deserves. 5-7 Take coach P, he can’t even beat Nutt.
By jimthorpe
December 4, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
There’s a new sheriff in (Alabama) town. I think TT knew that. After 10 years the shine is off. He had a great run, though, in a league so awash with television money that a school like AU can’t afford even one bad season. Too bad Clemson didn’t wait; he would have been absolutely perfect there. Speaking of the ACC, FSU should forget about that loser they have waiting in the wings and hire TT right now.
By Hey AL fans...
December 4, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
…look for St. Nick to leave for the Golden Domers next year after the Weis extended year ends in failure. His “saintness” will eagerly take the $5mil (or more) the catholics will pay, and leave you guys high and dry, too, just as he has done to others in the past. He really thinks that he is a “saint” so where better for him to finish up than South Bend!
By mcdawg
December 4, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
the whole OC/Franklin saga was a fiasco but i think Auburn is crazy to fire the guy-the program is going to take a hit
plus as a UGA fan it is much more interesting and exciting for Auburn to be the top team in the west as opposed to LSU or Bama
By reebok
December 4, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Great analysis, Tony.
By GatorG
December 4, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Great post, BobDog.
For all of you ‘Bama fans who say Auburn is the stepchild…. As a disinterested third party (Gator fan), I count both programs as equal over the years. In fact, I don’t see a difference long-term between Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU. Any one of those can have, has had, and will have down years as well as hugely sucessful years.
Get over yourselves. Your great record of titles came mostly from a distant era when recruiting was a much different game than it is today. Everyone has caught up with you - try to stay up wtih us!
By Top Dawg
December 4, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
He would be another good candidate to replace Willie Martinez as UGA’s Defensive Coordinator, particularly when one considers that he gets the most he can out of the players. Boy, wouldn’t that be a turnaround on the defensive side of the ball in Athens?
By BAMMAR
December 4, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
I actually feel bad for Wingnut, Not for awburnt. Until you get rid of Lowder you will get what he wants and not what Awburnt wants. Your next coach better be a good’un cause he WILL have a big buyout clause. Your history will make him want one. Shoe doesn’t feel so good on the other foot does it? Payback is a Mutha.
By kevin
December 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
The fact of the matter is, Tommy Tuberville is a fine coach. He’s brought success to the Auburn plains. Anyone will agree that winning 9 or 10 ballgames a year consistently, is considered a success. However…in ten years, he’s yet to bring a national championship to the school. Everyone at Auburn love to win - but they NEED a national championship and Tuberville can’t deliver the goods.
By dawg1
December 4, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
great post Top Dawg!!!!!!!! I agree.
By RxDawg
December 4, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
AU has to have somebody good lined up. It’s the only explanation. Way too stupid of a move to get rid of a proven good coach. This really does not look good on AU’s behalf. If they are looking for a coach from scratch it will be tough to lure in anyone good. Unless the idea is to get a “stepping stone” coach until they can get someone really good. Couple of names I can think of Phillip Fulmer (funny but I really doubt it), Bill Cower, Butch Davis (doubt it), I guess that Leech guy from TT (overated). All in all, bad move Auburn. If I was a fan I’d be irrate.
By Tom Avret
December 4, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I agree with most of the articles written about TT. Jay Jacobs is not the responsible party, he answers to the others, like Lowder, who needs to be out of the program. It is an embarassment to an old AU grad, and former coach to see what is, AN INJUSTICE! Yes, Georgia fans, TT would be a great addition to your staff, as he and Mark Richt are “CLASS ACTS.”
But, the reality is, college football has lost its reality. It is not about the teams anymore, it is about the money.
Thank you Tommy Tuberville and best wishes wherever you go, and you do not have to be in a hurry.
By dawg1
December 4, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Kevin???????????? I guess 2004 13-0 was his fault for not bringing home a national championship.
By CFB Reality
December 4, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Ever since Stoops went to Oklahoma and won a national championship in his 2nd year, the leash has gotten shorter for coaches. All of the major programs have the expectation of competing for or playing for a national championship annually. The reality of the situation is that in any given year there are only going to be about 8-10 schools that have a realistic shot(ie favorable schedule, # of returning players, exp. QB) at the start of the season. Usually by the mid-point in the season that number is reduced to at 5-7, and towards the end it’s down to 3-4. Programs are scrambling to find head coaches that they feel can get them to that final group on a regular basis, but it’s just not that realistic. We are not going to see that happen year in and year out. The talent is spread too far and across too many programs for that to happen. Sure teams will string together 2-3 years, but overall if you have a coach that can average 8-10 wins, and get your program in a position to seriously contend for a NC at least once every 4-5 years you’ve got a pretty good coach under today’s circumstances. Unfortunately firings like Tubberville’s are going to become more common place in the future.
By Bamafan
December 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
AUBURN needs to tell Yella Fella and Bobby Lowder to go straight to hell and get rid of the pricks!! Auburn is a good job and being in the SEC that is ever better. A good head coach does have to go very far to recruit being Auburn’s location!! Alabama will own the state as long Nick Saban stays at Bama!! Auburn made a big mistake letting Coach Tubbs go and will come back to bite them in the butt!! FAT PHIL AND COACH TUBBS FIRED IN THE SAME WEEK, I MUST BE DREAMING!! NO I AM LOVING IT!! ROLL TIDE FOLKS!!
By jabster
December 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Top Dawg:
I could see Sly Croom taking the demotion to be UGA’s DC but not TT. TT would be worth more elsewhere.
By Tom
December 4, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
GatorG-
Funny that a Florida fan is telly someone to get overthemselves…thats classic.
Your definition of stepchild is different from mine. I’ve lived in both Florida and Alabama and can tell you that other programs outside of Florida and Alabama, respectively considered a stepchild. Granted there are numerous fans of both FSU and AU in those states but there’s no question which school the majority of the State’s supports. As far records, the irony is that you take out Tubby’s tenure and Alabama has manhandled au in every record you could measure.
By St. Bernard
December 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
I think Richt should take notice of all this as well. No job is safe.
That said, maybe Tuberville wants to volunteer his time with the Dawgs defense for a couple years.
It would be interesting to see Leach at Auburn, but I don’t think it will happen. Maybe the coordinator at Texas will come back, even though he is “coach in waiting” or whatever that means.
By saint nick
December 4, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Gator G,
When we stomp your A$$ Sat on our way to 13, we will have the same # you have the past 25 years!!!SO, what’s your point?????Fla has been relevant since 1990, Bama has been relevant since the 20’s!!!If you had Alabama’s Tradition, you would be beating your chest(or your jorts)all over this blog about it!!!So, shut your mouth!!!Oh and by the way, Auburn IS the second program in this state, always have been always will be!!!!!!!ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 4, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
I am confused by the whole coaching carousel as Im sure many of you are. So Ive decided to put together a list of guidelines that athletic directors are apparently following these days so that we can all follow along and understand more clearly.
For long tenured successful coaches, forget about all the winning that has come before and only judge based on a small sample of games (see Tennessee, Auburn, So.Miss). When hiring a new coach, prior college head coaching experience is irrelevant (see Lane Kiffin) and/or little actual college coordinator experience is necessary (see Lane Kiffin again) plus having most or all of your coaching experience at the NFL is preferred because of one isolated example was super successful (see current examples Tennessee-Kiffin again, Clemson-Swinney, Texas A&M-Sherman, Pitt-Wannstedt and past examples Georgia Tech-Gailey, Nebraska-Callahan and Miss State-Croom). Give your coach a large/lengthy contract extension after modest success on the field or in recruiting (see Notre Dame-Weis). Allow your boosters/fans to completely guide your decision on whether to fire your coach (see Tennessee-Fullmer and Notre Dame-Willingham). Fire your coach one year after giving the aforementioned lengthy/expensive extension (see Georgia Tech-Gailey, Clemson-Bowden, Tennessee-Fullmer, Auburn-Tuberville). But dont fire your coach until AFTER the best possible head coach prospects have either publicly announced that they want to stay at their current jobs (see schools Auburn and coaches Brian Kelly, Will Muschamp). Name a head coach in waiting from your current coaching staff, even though theyve proven nothing and could very well be goats to the fanbase by the time the current head coach actually steps down (see FSU, Texas, Penn State) or the perfect coach could be available but youve already committed to Coach In-Waiting.
There is also a guideline piece for coaches. Pass up a chance at your first head coaching job, which depending on how you perform in the next few years may never come again and sign a head coach in waiting contract under a head coach who is only in his mid 50s (see Will Muschamp under Mack Brown). Oh and did I mention passing up on your first head coaching job is also your choice of at least 3 of the best programs in the country (see Tennessee, Clemson and now Auburn), but sign that head coach in waiting contract anyway. And one future guideline, leave your head coaching job at a place where youve won one national title and are setting up for a second to go to a school that is a complete mess, has no defined recruiting pool to put a fence around to protect and has no conference to help define how good your success actually is, where the school, boosters, and fans will give you 3 years to win it all or youre on the way out (see Urban Meyer-Florida for Notre Dame).
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 4, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Clempson is trying desperately to un-dry that ink on Dumbo Sweetie’s contract too late.
Missy St is looking hard for Tommy Ts phone#
The hillbillies of the North have closed their eyes, rolled the dice, and hoping of a 7 or 11 with this puppet-boy replacement for Phat Phil.
Awbarn, must be jealous of Arkansas in the How dumb and unrealistic can we get with our football program and banking on the Ole Missy Strategy. Fire our really good coach and hope we can get the next really good coach that is run off from one of our rival schools.
As SEC Football continues to follow the path of the stock market, what does the future hold…
This brings us to the Mutt Nation, will that next coach be St. Richt?
Will they chase off the best coach in the School History, because of the large number of clueless, unrealistic expectations from the fan base. After suffering another loss by a much higher margin 14-20 points to the BCS GT, what will they do?
Will St. Richt be fired?
Will he quit due to the Monday morning quarterbacking the Fleabag Nation is infamous for?
Will they give him one more season?
well see. It should be interesting.
One things for sure, Tommy T. got a raw deal, will St. Richt be the next?
By Tommy
December 4, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
FYI-Coaches that quit do not get buyouts of $6 million.
By ramblin gamblin
December 4, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
How can it be risky to let TT go after he lost to Tech in ‘03 and ‘05? Reggie Ball was the QB and Chan Gailey was the coach. In the ‘05 Tech win Auburn was ranked 16th. That makes his record 4-8 vs GT and UGA while at Auburn.
By GATORZONE
December 4, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I agree RXDawg. WHat are they thinking? Why would ANY right minded coach go there? Unrealistic expectations. Coach T did run a good program that was clean. AU will be sorry.
By Miles
December 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Tuberville got screwed…simple as that…the SEC, as great as it is, appears to be cannibalizing itself…this obsessive compulsive commitment to perfection is certainly self destuctive…continuing with these firings will do nothing to continue in the tradition of the SEC’s excellence…instead, these firings function only as a figurative gauntlet of disposal…
By Gen Neyland
December 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Auburn ran out of fingers to hoist in their run over Alabama. Now the university has raised one finger on Tubby. Good luck CTT…
By Atlanta Gator
December 4, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
On a lighter note, for those college football fans who like to argue about who-beat-who-beat-who, here’s a website with which you should have some fun:
http://www.myteamisbetterthanyourteam.com/
Have at it!
By BCS CG?
December 4, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I’ve been monitoring this blog all season and have followed the BCS. If Alabama wins on Saturday and Mizz beats OU in the Big 12 CG, who should play in the BCS CG?
This is an honest question. I am directing it to anyone who is willing to answer and try to apply what ever criteria is appropriate and consistent please do.
By ugablows
December 4, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
this will be ugay and lsu next year…
By GATORZONE
December 4, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
ST. Nick, are you sure you are not a UGA fan? Your assurance of stomping the Gators @ss and reference to jorts sounds like you are a reformed bullpup fan. Whatever bandwagon suits you I guess!
By Bamafan
December 4, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Mr War Eagle, Want do you think about this mess that Lowder and Yellow Fella have started!! The Auburn family needs to tell Pat Dye to stay at the ranch and off the bottle!! Really the tigers need to clean house starting with the stupid AD and clean house with Lowder and Jimmy Raines and maybe the tigers will come back and give the crimson tide a good game!! How is the grandson doing and was it hard explaining to him that Bama’s own the tigers !! ROLL TIDE!!
By ugablows
December 4, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
okay, how about Ralph Fridgen? it would be scary to see what he could do with some real talent, he’s averaged 9-10 wins with scrubs at maryland. Jim Donnan anyone? or Bud Foster the DC from VT? how about former auburn boy Pat Nix? ok just kidding about that last one lol! hahaha sux to be you auburn! 2iar with Chan at the helm. hmmm, maybe TT wasn’t all that great after all…
By EP
December 4, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
One thing about Tuberville. Saban, Urban Meyer, Les Miles- NONE of them has had an undefeated season in the SEC. Tuberville got one- sure he got screwed out of a national championship, but he went 13-0 less than 4 years ago.
By ...dawgs got STUNG all over
December 4, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Let’s all hope Alabama goes undefeated and puts the mythical National Championship (BCS MESS) to rest.-Last year, -LSU being National Champions with two losses was ridiculous.
By GatorGuy
December 4, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Who gets fired first? Kiffin or the new AU coach?
By GT
December 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Can Tommy go to Mississippi State or does he have to sit out a year? Nutt at Mississippi, Tuberville at State,Petrino at Arkansas,Saban at Alabama, Miles at LSU and Lowder at Auburn, Spurrier at USC, Myers at Florida. It would be like one of those weddings where all the parents bring there exs, and there are real parents then step parents, the ex step parents, you can’t write this stuff. The side show is getting bigger than the show.
By Fleischman
December 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Hey AL fans… why are you so bitter? Is it because your beloved dawgs SUCK? or are you depressed about being a total douche?
By Elvis
December 4, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else see the connection with the coaches seasons that went to Iraq this year. Let no good deed go unpunsished…
How about Ray Goff to auburn!?!?!?
By D-u-r-n U-r-n-g-e
December 4, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
All you boys are way too analytical, and way too long-winded. I said it before, and I’m saying it again … it’s that D-U-R-N U-R-N-G-E !
If your team wears any form of ugly orange (which is redundant, of course), your coach gets canned. Let’s see … Tennysee (ugliest of all oranges); Clempson (second ugliest); Awbarn (just enough orange to be ugly). Lesson to all incoming coaches at these three: change colors.
Also, it’ll be Pope Urban Crier Meyer XIV leaving the Gay-turds to go to the Notre Dame Cath-o-licks, not St. Nick Saban The Mercenary.
Finally, this: Economics rules always, even in college football. Definition of Economics: The allocation of scarce resources. Application: There just ain’t enough top-notch player talent to be allocated to each of the 119 Div. I teams in the country to make them all good. Result: The 10-15 teams each year who have a realistic shot at being the best pay their coaches huge salaries, in return for demanding their teams are the best, and for having the right to fire the coach when they wish.
Forget the emotion and loyalty … it’s a free market, and it works, and it works very well. Or maybe you think the government should take it over and run things.
By nachos
December 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Georgia, Tennessee and Allbarn all suck… am I dreaming? This is too good to be true. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!
By murfdawg
December 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Welcome to the SEC—Security Ever Changing. What a crock of you know what this league has created for coaches. I have a feeling that AU and TN are headed for 10 years of floundering. The mighty Tide has been thru 9 years of mediocrity, even by UGA standards. Uga went thru 10 years of Goof and Yougurt, I mean Goff and Donnan. Good luck Auburn . I hope you get a good coach and make it back in 5 years.
P.S. I think Auburn Screwed up two programs with this move. Auburn and Clemson.
By Pheeeeeeeel Hare
December 4, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have the link to Noshow-on Moreno leaping over that high school team from this year? God I love that video!!!! Orlando, here we come :)
By Laughing Gator
December 4, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
I think Terry “Numbnuts” Bowden is available, maybe he will come back!
By gil
December 4, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Tony, You’re RIGHT on the money as always on this. You are a SEC historian and this is another ugly chapter in Auburn’s history.
By scott
December 4, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Delusional? Let’s talk about a school whose fans walk around with pictures and clothes of a dead guy. A coach whose players had to pick him up at the drunk tank on game day mornings on more than one occasion. 12 National Championships are great, but how many schools during those days could afford players and championships, about 5 or 6. NCAA officials didn’t dare go to tuscaloosa to investigate, the state patrol frowned on those who questioned “the bear”. Delusional is believing a team could win any where close to 12 NCs in that same time frame now. Delusional is thinking Saint Saban will retire in tuscaloosa. Look at his track record, hell he won a NC at LSU and left. He’s committed to his wallet not your historic schoool.
By TrueCrimson
December 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
By BCS CG?
December 4, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Ive been monitoring this blog all season and have followed the BCS. If Alabama wins on Saturday and Mizz beats OU in the Big 12 CG, who should play in the BCS CG?
This is an honest question. I am directing it to anyone who is willing to answer and try to apply what ever criteria is appropriate and consistent please do.
Texas. They beat Oklahoma head-to-head and should be playing in the Big 12 playoff. Their one loss is a better quality loss than USC’s.
Atlanta Gator - Cool website!
EP - Alabama already has an undefeated 12-0 regular season in the SEC. I hope that they accomplish more than this in post-season play, but they are far ahead of schedule in completing an undefeated regular season schedule.
By Knocks Culpepper
December 4, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Did I read that right? LESS THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE BAMA GAME Tuberville was talking to “Mr. College Football” about his job security (among other things). No wonder Auburn got trounced.
And this is another example of “Mr. College Football” injecting himself into the story.
By Huh EP?
December 4, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Typical, you overstate your point and make unfounded assumptions.
One could say Auburn was denied a BCS Championship berth, but not a championship. The game was played by undefeated USC and undefeated OU.
USC beat OU 55-17. Again this would indicate Auburn was a better team than OU. But you cannot assume the same about USC.
In 2004 USC went wire to wire #1 with the #7 SOS in the NCAA. While Auburn may have belonged across the field from USC, and the game would most likely have been closer, there is no reason to believe the result would have been any different.
That Trojan team was in the middle of a 34 game winning streak. 2003 12-1 with the #19 SOS and an AP NC, 2004 13-0 with the # 7 SOS and a BCS NC, 2005 12-1 with the # 8 SOS lost BCS NC by 3 to Texas. They were undefeated from 9/7/2003 to 1/4/2006.
I know you in the SEC like to point to this years weak schedule, but it is not typical. The 6 years prior to this USC SOS averaged #14, #1 in 2002 and a total of 4 years # 8 or better.
By Ramblin Wrecker
December 4, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Honestly I think Tennessee and Auburn are in trouble. Tennessee’s trouble is more about the dumb hire they just made. Fullmer had stagnated, true and changing the guard is not necessarily a terrible mistake. But ask yourself this, which would have been safer: keeping Fullmer and hiring a competent offensive coordinator who had some greater level of autonomy or rolling the dice on a kid who’s greatest accomplishment on his resume was CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR for a successful USC program? I’ve heard that Kiffin wasn’t even the first co-offensive coordinator from USC that Al Davis offered the Raiders job to. So that tells me Kiffin was likely not driving that wagon. So going from a failure in Oakland to one of the top jobs in college football is ludicrous. Good luck on that rocky top.
Auburn is going to regret this move. They had great success under Tuberville. And the 5-7 year is directly attributed to a bad decision made by Tuberville, but did he not earn enough benefit of the doubt to correct that mistake and move forward? If they’re looking for a Nick Saban of their own, they can forget it, there isn’t anyone out there. Maybe Will Muschamp is that guy, but they waiting too long this year, and if only they had paid him handsomely last off season he could have still been on staff at Auburn instead of locked into a deal with Texas as “head coach in waiting”. Auburn is going to be in a funk for a while.
By TrueCrimson
December 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
scott,
Have a good cry and get over it…
Saban ain’t coming to Auburn.
By ATL Sports
December 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Hey scotty boy - Here’s the main difference between UA and AU. AU’s goal every year is to beat UA while UA’s goal every year is to win the national championship. Take that to your 2nd rate school and smoke it.
By BCS CG?
December 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Ok, fair, but 2 points.
Florida’s loss to Ole Miss, that’s the worst loss of any top ranked 1 loss teams.
Also if Texas doesn’t deserve to play for the Big 12, why the BCS championship?
By matt
December 4, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
It gives me great pleasure to know some criminal bankster named bobby lowder is flying all over the country sucking c* to get a new coach to go to the plains. I don’t care how hard he tries; it ain’t happening. Way to live up to your reputation barners. People are calling you idiots.
By Patrick
December 4, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
All of the Auburn fans I know didn’t want Tuberville fired. Maybe Tony spends too much time with the elite of the SEC. Come ask the real fans…Jay Jacobs and company are doomed now.
By MikeLapDancePrice
December 4, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Who cares whom Auburn hires. The real question is who will replace Saban when he leaves Bama after next season. Alabama, enjoy your continuity.
By TNslammabama
December 4, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
As a (former) season-ticket-buying-for-years Auburn alumnus, I was sickened by Auburn’s treatment of Terry Bowden in 1998 when Lowder told Terry he was fired, but if Terry didn’t tell the supporters and media that he had RESIGNED at midseason instead, he would never collect the money Auburn owed on his contract. When you put that together with Dye’s cheating and the Eric Ramsey debacle which landed Auburn on probation, unless you are deliberately blind or have selective vision, you cannot help but see the corruption lying just under the surface at Auburn. I told Housel over the phone of my displeasure. His reply? “You’re gonna like Tommy Tuberville.” I told him Auburn would never get another dime from me unless and until Lowder resigned from the board of trustees. They haven’t because he hasn’t. Maybe they can make Lowder King of Auburn next and dispense with the president’s office. Good luck to Tuberville, but he should have seen it coming. If you sleep with dogs, you wake up with fleas.
By War Tiger
December 4, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
As an Auburn fan and season ticket holder I was disappointed to learn that Tubs was forced out. With the exception of this year, Tommy’s players have really overachieved over the past 4 years. I really thought that his entire record over the past 10 years should have been looked at more closely. I am no Tubs fan, far from it actually, but I thought that he should have been given one more year to turn things back around. All of those verbal recruits we’ve got are going to bail like rats on a sinking ship and our recruiting class will suffer. Once we pick up the pieces, I don’t think we’ll be relevant in the SEC for about 3-4 years now….
By RAMBLE ON!!!
December 4, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
murfdawg, as much as I like talking shots at the fleabags, you sir, get it!!!
By 2N4YEARS
December 4, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
I actually agree with you on this Tony. Just look at ARK. I can tell you though, with the way Saban has brought ALA to life in his 2nd year, the bar has been raised. Is the grass greener on the other side? Probably not. But when yours is turning browner by the year, can you really sit, wait & hope?
By aztec
December 4, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Tuberville screwed up not in hiring Franklin, but firing him. He said that he wanted a high powered offense but it seemed he did not want to go through the process to get it.
By running off two OC’s in less than a year…Tubby screwed up. He put all of his eggs in one basket by firing Fraklin after only 6 games and then saying that he would take a bigger role in the offense. The offense looked no better and that leaves him to blame. He set the precedent that those that can not get the offense going have to go. Iliked Tuberville, but he did it to himself.
By Mike
December 4, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
OH NO PIG FANS….Coaching jobs open at AH-Barn and Missy State…Rickki Pitrino could be on the way……
By TrueCrimson
December 4, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
By BCS CG?
December 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Ok, fair, but 2 points.
Floridas loss to Ole Miss, thats the worst loss of any top ranked 1 loss teams.
Also if Texas doesnt deserve to play for the Big 12, why the BCS championship?
I can’t make any sense of the BCS system — I can only guess at what will happen.
Yes, Florida’s loss was bad, but they have played lights out since that loss. Ole Miss is a better team than their record would imply.
Texas lost a close game against an undefeated team at the end of a string of games against highly rated teams. If they were playing under SEC rules, they would play in the Conference Championship game.
Any one loss team has an argument that they are just as good as any other one loss team. I was just trying to give you my best guess as to what would happen in that scenario.
By Mike
December 4, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
ahhhhh….the BCS in a Mess…..Fla loses to bama and OU loses to Missouri…..who plays in BCS? Certainly not Texas- remember…if you dont win your conference, you cant play for NC…..like they said to UGA last year…..would love that to come back to the idiots who run the BCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By George
December 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
does anyone eles find it ironic that Bobby Lowder and Colonial Bank got a 550 million dollar bailout on Tues and then they can Tubs on Wed and owe him 6 millon dollars? Just a little bit suspicious if you ask me. What a bad year for Tubs. First his wife cheats on him and he is in the middle of a divorce and now this. I guess he does have six million reasons to be smiling though huh? As for the situation yesterday I think Auburn made the right move. The program has been in decline ever since the infamous 2004 season. Ever since that season the number of SEC wins has declined per year and that is the first time that has happened to an SEC team since UK in the 1950’s. Since 2004 Tubs has been through five different coordinators and not to mention he is an average recruiter. It is hard enough to recruit in the SEC but put Satan on the other side of the state and it is damn near impossible. It was obviouslly a tough decision but one that needed to be made. My only concern is the exit strategy and who we will get. I do not think Leach style football will work in the SEC and I think Muschamp is our best option. I have even heard spurriers name thrown around. It will be intersting to see what happens but regardless of who we get it is going to be a long couple of years down on the plains that is for sure. WAR DAMN EAGLE!
By mike
December 4, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Plenty of clucking from the barnyards in Alabama and South Carolina9another loss to Clemsux)……Instead of WAR Eagle…AU-Barn is more like Chicken in a War….
By Spike
December 4, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
ROSWELL ED, where are you?? This is a bad move for AU in the long run and good for UGA in the long ru. I guess Ears did not have a strong enough running gane in the SEC, huh? How about Tubs for the new UGA DC?
By Dave Wilder
December 4, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Who really cares about Tubberville,I don’t. Don’t care to much for Auburn anymore either.
By Chewy
December 4, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Part of the problem is Tuberville’s and Barnhart’s (great AU name!) recognition of an imaginary title. There is no such thing as an SEC West title.
By DR. X
December 4, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Nobody is suggesting that Richt be fired. No one is suggesting that Richt has done a bad job at Georgia. The only thing that Georgia fans are suggesting, at least those of us who don’t like to be embarassed on national TV three times in one year, is that Richt objectively evaluate his coaching staff, especially after this season.
Other e-mailers have factually pointed out that, without question, compared to Van Gorder, Martinez has been an underachiever. No one can deny this nor can Richt.
The problem is that a lot of us who contribute to the Hartman Fund and buy tickets every year get the impression from Richt that he is much more loyal to Martinez and others without objectively evaluating their job performance and thus THE PROGRAM IS UNDERACHIEVING.
If Richt were perceived to be totally unbiased and were to be making decisions basaed only for the good of the program, then the many negative posts about Richt would cease and only the loons would continue.
So far as you Gator fans go, you better pray that ND doesn’t fire Charlie Weiss anytime soon because your boy Urban will bolt for the Irish like a bat out of Hell, and, unless you can persuade Stoops or someone of like ability to take over, your collective asses will be bumping in the ditch like they were before Super Steve showed up and like they deserve to be. Remember that those who forget history are condemmed to relive it
By T
December 4, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
It will be YEARS before Auburn recovers .. they will regret getting rid of Tubs
By GATORZONE
December 4, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
DRX, It must be wonderful to be so all knowing! Just like UGA crowing about a NC before the season. You crowed before Alabama, you crowed before Florida and GT. Will it not EVER sink in to UGA fans that you cannot predict the future?! Why is it soooo important for you guys to tell everyone in advance what is going to happen?
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!!!
By Laughing Gator
December 4, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Urban Meyer isn’t about to move from Florida to South Bend, Indiana. Not gonna happen.
By Gator Mike
December 4, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Tony is absolutely correct. This mess at AU reminds me of the insipid scene at Michigan over the past year. It is a joke. The dummies in Ann Arbor wanted Lloyd Carr out. They got what they wanted, and now they are the joke of the Little Ten (with 11 teams). AU will be a non-player in the SEC for a while, and the true AU faithful do not deserve it. They will not get a top level guy as coach. They will probably get some lizzard who will cheat and get AU in trouble like DeBose did at Bama and what we had at UF in the late 80s. Bama suffered for a long time because of their stupidity in tolerat DuBose. I feel bad for the solid War Eagle Fans. They deserve better. This entire mess in the SEC is starting to stink, and those running the athletic programs are undermining the true reason for a university which is higher education. We now have very good schools such as UT and AU in the headlines because they railroad good and proven coaches out of town. When was the last time any of us saw an SEC University on the front pages of newspapers for all of the good work done in classrooms, laboratories and university hospitals? I am not very proud of the way Foley dumped Zook, but he should have never hired him in the first place because he was unproven. Meyer was a very good hire for UF, and Richt was an equally good hire for UGA when they were down. If anyone out there thinks that Kiffin with his mediocre resume will take UT to the next level in 3 years, they are sadly mistaken. The UT president actually believes that Kiffin recruited all of the talent at USC and not Pete Carroll. He must be tipping the Tennessee Mooshine. Kiffin was nothing more than a water boy for Carroll. Pete Carroll is USC and we all know it. Top high school athletes have always gone to USC for the opportunity to play for Pete Carroll. Most of us never heard of Lane Kiffin until he got to the Raiders. The good point about Kiffin is that his Mom and Dad are both UF alums. Her dad was an All American quarterback, and Mom was a homecoming queen.
AU will probably make the same dumb a## move. We need to face the fact that the SEC was down this year except for Bama, Gators and Ole Miss. Our arrogance may soon do us in because people will start laughing at all of us. In fact, some are already laughing. Running Coach Tuberville out is a loss and a black eye for the entire SEC. I am a fanatic college football fan and I played at the major college level, but I am saddened by all of this nonsense going on which is generated by boosters who are self centered egomaniacs. Hopefully UF will never repeat their past stupidity in handling coaches. No man or organization is bigger than the university. I am one very loyal Gator who is saddened by the happenings at AU and UT. Go Gators!
By AUtiger
December 4, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
WHAT IS THE MEDIA’S HATE FEST WITH AUBURN? HE RESIGNED JERK OFF!! THE AD SAID HE WAS SHOCKED AND TRIED TO TALK TUBBS OUT OF QUITTING. THAT’S WHY THE MEETINGS LASTED FOR TWO DAYS.
BARNHART, I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR YOU. YOU ARE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE JERKS THAT WRITE FOR THIS FISH WRAP.
By Jim
December 4, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Just stay away from Paul Johnson. Of course, Auburn couldn’t beat Chan Gailey and Reggie Ball either.
By Ross
December 4, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Uh, Tony - Tech will soon be 3-0 this year against the toughest conference in football. Oklahoma will make mincemeat of either Bama or Florida.
This Tuberville thing shows what sort of whiners the SEC really harbor. 9 wins a year is not good enough?
-drl
By Jason
December 4, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
It appears the only solution to this madness is to go the moronic PC route. At the end of each game, regardless of the score, both teams will be announced as having won the game. At the end of each season, every team will be undefeated and play in one of fifty something bowl games all named ‘The National Championship Game’. As with the regular season, all teams will be declared winners and national champions. No coaches will be fired. Anything less than the above stupidity is going to cause the continuation of the current madness. Choose your poison.
(and somehow Alabama will still find a way to add three or four national championships each year to their “total”)
By good with the bad
December 4, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I smell a Lowder. Lowder was embarrassed when he and the prez got caught with their hands in the cookie jar with Petrino. This is revenge for Lowder and his boys…Hope everybody turns on them, including the Auburn fans. If AU tiger above really believes that he just resigned and wasn’t forced out, I’ve got some swampland to sell him in the Sahara desert…How stupid could you be. Coach Tubs was very loyal to his assistants, and although he is looked after, they are out of work and looking for a job without the golden parachute.. He was 85-40, a much better record than Lowder’s bank…and our boy Pat could be a little envious also….
By George
December 4, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Autiger if you really think he resigned 2 days after saying he was fully on board to making changes and doing whatever necessary to be at Auburn for another 10 years you are a flipping moron. They wanted him to fire his staff and Tubs did not want him to do it. Not to mention Lowder has hated Tubs from Day one
By CBrad
December 4, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Any time a coach is fired everybody goes through history and brings up the accomplishment that coach has done. The focus is not the past- it’s the future. What kind of future would Auburn have with Tuberville? Obviously, the plan for the future that he presented on Monday was not acceptable (i.e. keeping his Bar-B-Q buddies). I think the infamous duck hunting a year ago this week did him in. Rather than recruiting and bringing in playmakers, he’s calling ducks. Doesn’t build a good future. So long, Tub. Enjoy the money!
By tide rising
December 4, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Murfdawg,
Are you just stupid? Your statement that Bama has 9 years of continous mediocrity is ludicrous. We’ve had 4 10+winning seasons in the last 9 yrs and an sec title.We won the west in 02 but didn’t play in the seccg due to the probation which contributed to the inconsistent years in the 2000s in which we weren’t a factor. We were ranked 3rd in the country most of the season in 05 before we finally lost in ot in the 10th game of the season.Your revisionist history doesn’t add up.
Your just bitter because now that probation is over and we’re back to full strength you know da@n well we will be a factor every year instead of every other year. I guess you’re also bitter about the loss to us, to Tech and to the gators. Get over it you murf or smurf or whatever the hell you call yourself.
BTW, while we aren’t really rivals with the dawgs I’m certain you’ll enjoy watching us play your old nemesis the gators in the title game. I think you should get used to expecting to watch the gators a lot on your side of the championship game bracket.
By Bojax34
December 4, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
We (unfortunately, Jacobs and the board represent the Auburn family of which I am a scholarship donor alum) made a terrible decision to remove Tubs. I always have believed Auburn football was much more than wins and losses. Tubs has run a quality program, recruited good people who have gone to class and achieved, and the players have not put themselves in the police blotter. Try to find that success story at most other SEC football programs.
Sure, Tubs appears to have made mistakes, as we all do. He probably did not brown nose the power brokers and Jacobs enough, gambled on too many coordinators, and kept his non-coordinator assistants too long. He deserved a chance to rectify that problem our decision to fire him sends the wrong message about what college athletics should be that being competing honestly and shaping young peoples lives by giving them an opportunity. Unfortunately, the deed is done and I thank OUR Coach Tubs for 10 great years.
As far as OUR future coach, lets be honest. We do not have enough info about each person to decide. My 2 cents worth is that merely from wins and losses, we should consider Brian Kelly, regardless of his comments about staying @ Cincinnati. He has been a winner everywhere he has been. Also, Turner Gill would be a fallback in my eyes. Hopefully they both are quality people, like Tubs. Lastly, Leach from Texas Tech would be a disaster running a pass happy, gimmick offense and a strange personality a LOUSY fit on the Plains. We already failed this year with a gimmick offense; lets not go down that same road with Leach.
I can only hope that Jacobs makes a quality choice (Brian Kelly) his job is on the line with this hire. May our wounded spirits heal.
War Damn Eagle !!!!!!!!
By Gator Mike
December 4, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Sorry folks. I meant to say the the new UT coach’s wife’s parents are UF Grads. Her Dad is John Reaves who was an All American QB at UF in the early 70s, and her Mom is a former UF Homecoming Queen. Sorry Vol Fans. It will be fun in the Swamp next September. You cannot seem to get away from the Gator Nation. Some of you probably do not even know that Doug Dickey is a Gator Alum and former player at UF. This will continue to be fun.
Go Gators!
By tide rising
December 4, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Ross,
You just aint too bright are ya boy? Okla. will make mince meat of Fla. or Bama? Really?
The same way the made mince meat of West Va. last year when they lost 48-27 and got ran all over. Or the same way the made mince meat of Boise St. of all people when they lost to Boise the year before. Or the same way they made mince meat of USC in 04 when they lost 55-19? Is that what you mean?
By Dave
December 4, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
No losing seasons other than this year, and his first year at Auburn;
2008: 5-7 2007: 9-4 2006: 11-2 2005: 9-3 2004: 13-0 2003: 8-5 2002: 9-4 2001: 7-5 2000: 9-4 1999: 5-6
A 7-3 record against Alabama anybody want to bet me the next Auburn coach will do this well? Auburn blew it..
By G8R GRAD
December 4, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Not to cahnge the subject or anything, but this article in the Orlando paper about how different things would be if Tebow had gone to UA instead is fascinating!
By G8R GRAD
December 4, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Sorry!
See the aforementioned article at:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportssecgators04120408dec04,0,7558645.story
By AUtiger
December 4, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
George and the other dude..
Have you seen the AD’s press conference?
Didn’t think so douche bag
By bama12titles
December 4, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Tubbs is a helluva coach and as a bama fan I’m glad to see him go. If he was indeed forced out then that would be a shame. I just can’t imagine Auburn getting a better coach at this point in time than Tubbs was. One bad year with a failed experiment with the spread doesn’t warrant a fine coach like Tubberville being pressured by boosters to leave if in fact that is what happened. Still not sure as to what to believe but I find it hard to believe he would have left of his own accord and without Lowder pushing him to leave.
By Red Elephant
December 4, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
In all seriousness, Auburn has to get the next “great” coach. Think back to 1981. Without Patrick Fain Dye, they would still be trailing Tulane in SEC Championships. If they didn’t land Dye…..folks they were on the verge of becoming Mississippi State. If they screw this hire up it will set their program back light years from where it has been. The truth of the matter is they are still just Ole Miss or GT on steroids (At least their on-the-field accomplishments….well they do have 1 more SEC Title than GT thanks to Tubby). This is a program that has fought harder and received less for the effort over the years than anyone I can think of……if this hire goes south and they have a down-turn for 3-4 years the Alumni will be ready to kill!
By Munson
December 4, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
“Floridas loss to Ole Miss, thats the worst loss of any top ranked 1 loss teams.”
Actually, the worst loss by any 1 loss team is USC losing to Oregon State.
By ATL Sports
December 4, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
AUtiger - Seriously, it’s way too early for the bottle…if you believe one word from the puppet AD I would love to make a real estate deal with you. They just gave Tuberville the 6 mil from the kindness of their heart. hahahahaha!!!!
By BuckAlafama
December 4, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Buck ‘Fama!!!!! The gators will chomp those sissies to pieces!!
Around the bowl
And down the hole
Roll, tide, roll.
Ha ha haaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Get ready for an arse whipping, crimson clowns!
By BCS CG?
December 4, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Munson:
I think most people would consider losing at home worse than losing on the road.
However as stated earlier by another post, all the 1 loss teams could make their case.
By AUtiger
December 4, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
The ingorance on this board is killing me. Anyone remember Tubbs saying “The only way I’m leaving Ole Miss is in a pine box” he said that three days before he accepted the Auburn job. Of course no-one here would remember THAT would they?
Auburn hasn’t paid anything to Tubbs, and won’t becase he resigned. Take your Lowder accusations and cram them up your ARSE!
Anyway.. Auburn got blindsided and now they are scrammbling to find a new coach .. THANKS TUBBY! IT LOOKS LIKE YOU P** OFF ANOTHER SEC TEAM’S FAN BASE.
By Embarrassed AUFan
December 4, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Good post Tony. Most Auburn faithful don’t believe Tuberville resigned without pressure and most Auburn faithful are disappointed. We’re not going to get a decent coach and we just killed our recruiting. Now we’ll have a losing season for years to come as Bama, UGA, Uf snap up the talent. If Lowder’s money is so influential, then why haven’t we won a National Championship during Lowder’s tenure? The real question is: Does Tubby’s contract say the buy-out clause is void if he chooses to resign? If so, then we know he was forced out. Who has seen the contract to know?
I respected Tuberville for winning seasons, doing it honestly, not letting the team get into trouble and increasing graduation rates. It was more than winning to me. I’m tired of a few in Auburn leadership making all Auburn faithful look bad.
Have you noticed that most Bama fans who post hater junk here can’t spell or write with proper grammar? SEC fans should support each other b/c the rest of the nation already beats us up.
By Bama Man
December 4, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Huh Munson?
Gettin beat at home by Ole Miss is definatly worse.
By enyawnilknarf
December 4, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
This whole mess goes back to Jetgate. CTT has never gotten over that and has waited for opportunity to get out of town. He tried last year but Arkansas wouldn’t pony up 6 mil. Who could feel sorry for any of these coaches. They have million dollar agents negotiating with former coaches or bd of trustee puppets as AD’s. J Sexton has been taking this conference to cleaners for years. I’m sure Tubbs and his 5.1 mil will be just fine.
By bama12titles
December 4, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Embarrassed AUfan,
Come on now. You can’t really say that all the Bama fans on here can’t spell, have poor grammar, etc. We certainly have our share of illiterates but then so does Auburn, UGA, and everyone else.
More interestingly though is the number of Auburn players that have poor communication skills.
I’m old enough to remember when James Brooks graduated from Auburn and couldn’t read or write. And who can forget Carnell Williams interview with ESPN on draft day? Good lord! This guy couldn’t put together a complete sentence. Could a man possibly sound more freaking ignorant? No wonder Jon Gruden was shaking his head in embarrassment.
By shane#1
December 4, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
I am a Dog fan so I am not getting into the ‘Bama-AU scrap. I am not going to bash Auburn either. This is just a reflection of the over hyped, win it all now, everbody wanting something for nothing, world in which We live. I will say this, losing a quality individual in never good for an organization. I repeat, NEVER. Tubbs ran a good program, actualy brought AU’s graduation rate up and improved academics, and won ball games. What more do You want from a coach? A national title? The man went undefeated in 2004, showing that winning a title is out of a coaches hands. I will repeat that slowly for the morons amoung You, winning a title is out of a coaches hands. Untill We have a playoff system the title is a skating competition decided by the vote of the Russian judge! I hope thae he AU fans ride Lowder out of town on a rail if Petrino is hired. Just dump his butt in Old Missisip, not over here. Ga has enough d******* wanting the UGA staff fired for going 9-3! SCCCCHHHEEEEEESSSSHHHHH
By Sautee Dawg
December 4, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Tony i think your right, TT is a good coach, Auburn don’t come up with a replacement soon recruitment will be lost, and where do you find a replacement? Not that many coaches out there that can bring to Auburn what the Auburn people want. The Alabama beating is over with until Saban leaves for somewhere else. So whoever Auburn selects as a HC is under extreme pressure to start with. Teams looking for head coaching should look into Van Gorder and his availability.
By b
December 4, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Man, I wish you professional journalists would proof-read your commentary….
By justafan
December 4, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Tommy is a great coach, teacher, person with high standards and someone I’d love to Coach my son. Can’t say that about but one other Coach around the south and thats Paul Johnson at GT. I always pulled for Auburn and Tommy but now I’ll just wait and see what happens.
God bless you Tommy in what ever you do and thanks for the ride.
By D an AU Alum
December 4, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Auburn University,
I love Auburn University but to allow the best Head Coach to leave is terribly disappointing. Who does that? Who allows an ethical coach in a division where ethics is definitely questionable, just leave? Winning is great but sometimes AU loses and the students and fans can accept that and move on. This is not the first time in which the year was not a winning one. There is no coach out there like Tuberville and I doubt another one will be so well loved. I find it quite interesting that the Athletic Dept. can pay him out with their funds. I hope that you can pay for next year without ticket sales.
This is the first year that I am completely disappointed in my Alma Mater! Even my Alabama University Fan Friends know that this is a very poor decision for Auburn. Who follows Tommy, the man in which kept the AU Football team out of trouble for 10 years. No one can be as trusted and loved so well than Tommy Tuberville! The resignations should be all those on the Board of Trustees!
What happened to AU Integrity? Stand Up AU Fans and ban next year games without Tuberville!
By CrimsonWhite
December 4, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
In ten years, Bama started by recovering from one NCAA probation period and then got slammed with the next best thing to a death penalty. Dispite that, the Bama record was 75-49. Tuberville during the same period was 85-40.
Bama had three 10+win seasons, Tuberville had 1. Bama had one SEC Championship and is on the verge of it’s second. Tuberville had 1.
So, if the best that Auburn can do when it’s cross state rival is at its weakest is what Tubby did, what does that say about Auburn?
I’m a Bama man, but despite my crimson glasses, isn’t it odd that Auburn continues to underperform decade after decade?
By redandblackdog
December 4, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Right on Tony! They’re a bunch of idiots over at Auburn. Same thing we have at Georgia with some people complaining with a three loss season this year!
By Randall
December 4, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
A Logical Process for a Division I College Football Playoff System 12/4/08 [a.k.a. 16 qualify — 119 eligible]
Mr. Barnhart, There has been much discussion of late for the need of a playoff system for Division I football. I support the position that a playoff system is a fair and logical process for all 119 Division I programs.
I propose a 16 team format. To ease concerns of the season being too long I would limit a teams schedule to 11 games to accommodate the potential 4 other playoff games that two schools would end up playing. To accommodate the four major bowls I suggest the two semi-final games be played at two of those bowls and be rotated to the other two the following year. The national championship game could take place about 10 days after the semi-finals to allow for players to rest and so that the season wouldnt extend into the beginning of the academic spring semester. For purposes of fairness, and to allow the non-BCS schools an opportunity to prove themselves and grow their programs on equal footing with the BCS aligned schools I suggest that an automatic berth be given to each of the 11 Division I conference champions. Then the remaining five playoff spots be awarded to the top remaining five schools that did not get an automatic playoff birth. Then rank all 16 teams and have the #1 seed play #16, #2 play #15 and so on. This would allow for an independent school to be in the playoffs, plus it would accommodate a situation in which this year there are two undefeated non-BCS conference schools (Boise State and Ball State) which are ranked higher than two BCS aligned conference champions (ACC and Big East reps), and yet Boise and Ball State have almost 0% of making a BCS bowl. In addition, non-BCS school, TCU is ranked higher in the BCS than either the ACC and Big East conference leaders and TCU has no way of playing in a major bowl unlike the representatives from those two conferences. It would also accommodate the situation we have this year in which one could debate whom among three great teams from the same conference has earned the right to represent that conference (i.e. Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech from the Big 12).
With this in mind here is a potential scenario of how a playoff of bracket would look based on this weeks BCS rankings and current conference leaders. 1. Alabama SEC Champion 2. Oklahoma - Big 12 Champion 3. Texas At Large (BCS rank 3) Big 12 4. Florida At Large (BCS rank 4) SEC 5. USC Pac10 Champion 6. Utah Mountain West Champion 7. Texas Tech At Large (BCS rank 7) Big 12 8. Penn State Big 10 Champion 9. Boise State WAC Champion 10. Ohio State- At Large (BCS rank 10) Big 10 11. TCU At Large (BCS rank 11) Mountain West 12. Ball State MAC Champion 13. Cincinnati Big East Champion 14. Georgia Tech ACC Champion 15. Tulsa C-USA Champion 16. Troy Sunbelt Champion
The first round makes for some compelling games of underdog programs who get a shot at playing their better known in-state competitors [ #16 Troy vs. #1 Alabama, #15 Tulsa vs. #2 Oklahoma]. Plus the match ups of Penn State vs. Boise State and Ohio State vs. Texas Tech seem very competitive. Of course the teams of this scenario may change pending outcomes of the up coming conference championship games to be played this weekend. I could go on for another page justify the fairness and necessity of having a playoff system for all 119 Division I programs, but I wont here. However, the scenario above is a simple, logical, and fair process for all 119 Division I programs.
Thanks for your time. Randall Rush 214-673-1769
By Bama1
December 4, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Crimson white or what every you are. What has Bama’s BS got to do with Tommy T and Auburn? Nothing, Auburn screwed up letting him go.
He who is without sin cast the first stone….and Bama has many “Sins”, so does “Auburn now”.
By Mikey
December 4, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
The only people glad that Tuberville is gone are the bamzos. They fear and hate him, and rightfully so, since he owns them.
However, “Tommy Tuberville Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium” is a permanent name, earned by CTT, and the field in Tuskaloser will always be known by that name.
By Bryan
December 4, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
At one time I despised the likes of Petrino, Van Gorder, and Saban due to their lack of loyalty. But after watching UGA and other SEC fans turn on quality coaching staffs, I have a hard time blaming them. Look what Richt, Tuberville and Crooms has accomplished. This reminds me of Bill Curry getting death threats while coach at Alabama and of all places Kentucky.
Wake up SEC (especially UGA) fans, your beloved conference went 3-6 against the lowly ACC this year in football. Be thankful for what you’ve got or Richt could be coaching Texas Tech, Miss St, Auburn or some other school that can appreciate 10 win seasons.
Keep in mind that this post is from a GT fan!
By ATL Sports
December 4, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
I wish my employer was this kind when I quit - Jacobs said he and the president agreed to pay Tuberville the buyout price of $5.1 million — even though it was not required since he wasn’t fired — because they felt it was “the right thing to do.”
By ChrisK
December 4, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
I agree with the vast majority of the sentiments expressed here on the “resignation” of TT. We will regret parting ways with a proven winner, a good recruiter and a nice guy - who ran a CLEAN program. Just remember this Jay Jacobs and Bobby Lowder, football glory is a fleeting thing and you have just thrown it away with both hands.
By JohnnyTide
December 4, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
When i start feeling sorry for the Tub, I then think of Tony Franklin. Fired going 4-1. The wrong man was fired first. Give Franklin the job. Heard the black and white card played by Tub and Franklin too. Hope not
By wreckmaniac
December 4, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Very dumb move by Auburn. I well remember three years ago when the Auburn braintrust tried to interview another coach and the word got out. In the end they of course kept Tuberville. Tuberville should have left then but he can make his own decisions. Tuberville is a strong coach and is a skilled public relations type. He will have many opportunities. I hope he comes to the ACC.
By War Eagle
December 4, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
AUtiger, I have been associated with Auburn for 53 years as a player, Life alumni and fan. I can`t accept Jay Jacobs words and email about CTT resigning, Why the multi million dollar bye-out and last CTT has not made a comment to news media, plus his coaches were on the road recruiting.. Looks like an inside job by Bobby Lowder and Pat Dye
By GatorJaws
December 4, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Who cares about awbarn??? We are going to kick the ever-loving mess out of the ‘Bama redecks this Saturday and win the SECCG. Then it’s on to win the NC. It’s great to be a Gator!!!! Let’s all get behind the best SEC team this year and cheer on the awesome Gators!!! Go UF!!
By Auburn Grad
December 4, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Terry Bowden will return to bring some glory back to Auburn!
Take it to the bank.
By Bill52AU
December 4, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Auburn just took a big step back. Nicky boy is gonna clean up in Tuscaloosa.
By Embarrassed AUFan
December 4, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Now ask yourself these questions:
If this were truly an unforced and unwelcome resignation, why is Auburn going to pay Tuberville every penny? If Auburn wanted him to stay, why would it agree to pay him anything to walk away?
Jay Jacobs lied when he says “because it’s the right thing to do”. Does he really believe we’re going to believe him?
Then why was Auburn going through back channels to gauge the interest of at least two potential successors, Bobby Petrino and Mike Leach, before Tuberville’s future was resolved?
And why were Auburn assistant coaches on the road recruiting Wed. Dec.3? And why did at least one assistant coach find out about Tuberville “resigning” through the media while out recruiting FOR TUBERVILLE FOR NEXT SEASON!
I call on Auburn fans to voice your disapproval of Jay Jacobs, Jay Gogue, and Bobby Lowder by writing, e-mailing, pulling your donations from Auburn and your money out of Colonial Bank. I am embarrassed. Haven’t missed a game in 29 years and am an Auburn donor, but enough is enough. Jay Gogue is guilty for letting this happen while he sits quietly by.
Take a stand FINALLY and get Lowder out of Auburn!! I cannot imagine any true Auburn fan putting their money into or borrowing from his bank. For someone who supposedly has Auburn’s best interest in mind, Lowder has done more to tear AU apart than all the rest of Auburn faithful put together! Furthermore, Lowder just got $550 million in taxpayer money to bail-out his bank. Sounds like a successful man, huh?
All Auburn fans stand up and write, call, and e-mail the Auburn president and AD. Many more than me have said they’re done with AU donations. I love Auburn but enough I’m done until Auburn (aka Lowder)stops shooting itself in the head time after time against the wishes of the Auburn family majority. Maybe if enough of us thousands of Auburn family pulls our money out to equal Lowder’s money, then we can finally be noticed.
By BrewNdawg
December 4, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Frankly, this is just another knee jerk reactionary firing like Cutcliff at Ole Miss. It just shows the lack of judgement, reservation and character to fire a coach who’s record was what it was over 10 years. His teams were always very competitive and his record against top ten teams was something like 15-9??? Who in their right mind would want to follow THIS? What does a coach have to do, go 100-10 over 10 years? I thought AU had budgetary problems and they are supposedly paying the buyout even though he “stepped down” because it was the “right thing to do??” Sure he made mistakes, but he deserved to be able to right the ship there. Nick Saban said he guesses HE’S just a 5-7 away from getting shown the door himself. Saban was astonished at Tubbs “stepping down.” No one sees the big picture any more I guess…. It took Dooley, Bowden, and Osborne many many years to reach national championship status, but that was a different era… now with all of us idiot flame throwers on blogs like this, talk radio, etc… those coaches would have never gotten their chance.
By Bill52AU
December 4, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
wreckgirl, who gives a good hoot about the ACC? Hint: nobody. Yeah, some of the ACC teams won against some of the SEC teams this year. Let’s see you play a ‘Bama or Florida team since you think the ACC is so much better, sir/ma’am. Oh, wait….you boys did play ‘Bama at the beginning of the season. That was a close game against Clemson, huh? Yeah, a real nail-biter there, wreckgirl. Check out the score, sir/ma’am.
Roooooolllllll, Tiiiide!!!!!!!!!!!
By D'Marcus Jefferson, Kappa Alpha pledge at UGA
December 4, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Lowder, stick to your NON PERFORMING LOANS at Colonial! Forget about Auburn.
By What IF
December 4, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
What if Auburn hired Rodney Garner and Coach Garner conviced Sylvester Croom to be his DC and Tommy Fraiser as his OC. The coaching staff and tallent these three could bring in would put Auburn on a winning track and the SEC back on it’s heels.
By BammerNeck
December 4, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Saban will be moving north as soon as Paterno retires. That from a very reliable source.
By nachos
December 4, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
bammernick - get a life you fraking jagoff. JEALOUS LOSER DAWWWGS FAN!
By Josh Payne
December 4, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
mikey - you little, pathetic barner. i hope you enjoy 5 years of crappy football courtesy of mike leach. bama is gonna whup your @sses for years to come no matter who our coach is. wawww eagle!
By Bill
December 4, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
This weekend: “Fl 35: Ala 14”
By Bill
December 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Fl 35, Ala 14
By TrueCrimson
December 4, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
@ BCS CG?
Check out this article regarding possible BCS scenarios. You have to scroll down a page to get to the actual article.
Link:
By TrueCrimson
December 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Alabama 30
Florida 28
RTR!!!
By jc_atl
December 4, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Perfect assessment Tony. Tuberville deserved at least one more season. Another thing to consider is how Tuberville handled his team when they weren’t on the field. We hear weekly of another THUGA player being arrested, or an Alabama player being a well-known cocaine dealer in Tuscaloosa. For some reason you didn’t hear about these sorts of shenanigans from Tuberville’s players. Why? Because rather than going for the absolute top-notch athlete, he went for the top-notch young men and kept them that way. There’s a reason Richt’s teams, year in and year out, are the most penalized in the conference. Tuberville is a class act and Auburn, I’m sad to say, has entered the desert and it’s a long walk to the promised land. It is unlikely they’ll find the right guy on the first try which means a few years of watching the wrong coach flounder - this is the most likely outcome, the hiring of another “interim” coach who is always looking over his shoulder for Bobby Lowder’s lynch mob.
By Kent
December 5, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
All good points Tony. You might want to investigate further into that Alabama claim on previous national championships. Even for a “mythical” title, the number is fallacious. And Bear didn’t invent the internet either.
By donnioeelkin
December 5, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Auburn didn’t let Tuberville go. Tuberville let Auburn go.
By gdawgsjp
December 5, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
The way I see it is, Saban bolts to Notre Dame at the end of the 09 season. Only he can give the Irish want they want and they have all the money that it’s gonna take to get him. Weis is on his last leg and Saban has been known for his short stints as head coach. This from a UGA fan, and I only hope this ridiculous SEC head coaching carosel does not affect CMR at UGA. The SEC needs quality head coaches and we lost several good ones this year. Good luck to all the former SEC coaches.
By gdawgsjp
December 5, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
The way I see it is, Saban bolts to Notre Dame at the end of the 09 season. Only he can give the Irish want they want and they have all the money that it’s gonna take to get him. Weis is on his last leg and Saban has been known for his short stints as head coach. This from a UGA fan, and I only hope this ridiculous SEC head coaching carosel does not affect CMR at UGA. The SEC needs quality head coaches and we lost several good ones this year. Good luck to all the former SEC coaches.
By TrueCrimson
December 5, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
gdawgsjp,
I can see why you would see it that way. It’s called “wishful thinking”. Nick Saban doesn’t need to chase money. He took a pay cut to come to Alabama.
Coach Saban only wants to be in an environment that celebrates excellence. He has found a home in Tuscaloosa. Alabama loves Nick and his family and they love Alabama. If an Alabama coach is going to Notre Dame, it will be Tommy Tuberville — and he would be a huge improvement over anything they’ve had in the past decade.
RTR!!!
By War Eagle III
December 5, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Mike Leach would be an outstanding hire!!! He has had great success with the equivalent talent of Auburn’s current 3rd string!! I can’t imagine what he could do with top talent. Just take a look at his recruiting classes if you don’t believe me. They average around 40th in the nation. He is an offensive genius! Pair him with a good defensive coordinator and some defensive talent and he could be scarey good!!
By bamafan13
December 5, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
In all reality Auburn needs to step back and look at their entire program. I am not going to try to beat Auburn up with Alabama but they are in the same postion Alabama was in just a few years ago. Alabama’s football team was not run by the head coach three years ago. It was run by the head family. Now Saban has complete control of the program. Auburn needs to find someone of the strong moral being that can take charge and make his own decisions not that of the head families that rule Auburn.
By DBCOOPER
December 6, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
Idiots like RUSTY PECKERHEAD and those thinkin Coach Richt is going anywhere are smoking some serious crack. UGA has the 5th most most in college football since 2002 Richts tenure. Look it up. We have won the conference how many times since he’s been there? Come on he’s one of the best in the country. All the haters think if they write thatBS on these blogs some brainless chump will believe it. He ain’t going nowhere.Techsters stay in your own second tier league.
By ewb
December 7, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
great coach great person how did he leave oxford?