News of the day, 1/16
Hey everyone. Let's get right to business.I just talked with the head coach, who is flying today. He's stuck in Atlanta because of the weather. He didn't share the kinds of details I know the HOTTIES want, but I he answered a few ancillary things that may interest you.
He said he has interviewed "10 to 15" guys in all so far. Most of those were at the AFCA convention a few weeks ago.He said he's currently down to "3 or 4" guys.He has met with "a few guys" for second interviews. None were held in Auburn.Asked about his timetable, Tuberville said: "When we find the right guy."Asked for some names, Tuberville went in another direction: "They all have jobs, which is the way I like it. It's hard to get together this time of year. We're out recruiting. They're out recruiting. You have to pick your spots, so to speak, and that takes time."He isn't in Auburn offering the job to Paul Rhoads (right now). That may be bad news for the boys at JOX, who reported that this is a done deal. I really don't think any agreements have been finalized just yet.I'm saving a few details for the story that will run tomorrow.
EDITORIAL ELEMENT: I think Rhoads is part of this deal. I think he is a guy Tuberville is eyeing/considering/discussing/meeting. It's obvious that Tuberville isn't in a hurry. I mean, duh. He's telling recruits that the system won't change. That's it. I'm surprised these kids don't require more information. Then again, I wouldn't have asked when I was 17.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
3:59 PM
64 Comments:
hmmm... a clue...
if most of them were at the AFCA convention and "They're out recruiting"... then it sounds likely that Tubs is mainly looking at other college DCs, not NFL-types.
Absolutely. I was surprised by that comment as well, though, you know, Tuberville sometimes gets free and easy with the facts.
I hesitate to write anything for fear of being reprimanded by one and all, but I am encouraged by the fact that we at least have heard something, even though the something was actually nothing.
Jay, I am anxious to hear the rest of the story tomorrow. I think we are going to know something by the weekend. What do you think?
muunuu ... dude, I just don't get it. I still can't figure out what in the wide world of sports your point is. Let me give you the facts ... Lebo sucks. There, I said it. Lebo needs to Levo. He cannot and will not get the job done. (before anyone says anything, yes ... cannot is one word)
Now, tell me why I want to support Lebo feeling the way I feel about it? And why would you? Is losing your idea of success?
I believe that the AU nation deserves more than Lebo. But even more importantly, the players absolutely deserve better.
I don't follow basketball closely and can't argue x's and o's, but from what I have noticed there have been numerous events affecting Lebo's teams that are beyond the coaches control. I'm not trying to make "excuses", but the "reasons" jump out: he arrives--undiscilined players quit, 2 years with the shortest team in D-1,finally starts getting some players(still no real depth)and academic/injuries decimate the shallow roster. The guy is finally getting some recruits eventhough he has someof the more shabby digs in the SEC and no fan support. I don't know a lot about BBall so what am I missing? If I read correctly, the team shows up and plays for the coach, so that leaves: Recruiting, Player development, game plan, in game adjustments as possible coaching problems. If you are going to condemn the guy then back it up and outline(with details)where he is failing.
You just did.
Has anyone noticed how every time a CTT tendancy is identified, he changes.
He is an evil genius. He make look dumb, but that's just a disguise.
I assume you mean recruiting, game plan, in-game adjustments. If that is what you are saying then back it up with details in every catagory. Other wise you are just a complainer and your coments arent' valid.
Help me out, I don't understand BBall and haven't heard these complaints from other folks, so epxlicit details and examples are needed.
Watch a game or two. Be sure and notice that look of bewilderment on Lebo's face. Let's sum it up.
1) His players quit or can't make the grade ... discipline problem
2) We don't have any players that are tall enough ... recruiting problem
3) We don't have any players that can score points consistently ... recruiting problem
4) Numerous injuries ... training problem? or bad luck problem?
5) Not finishing over .500 in any season ... does that need an explanation?
6) Worst free throw percentage in SEC ... player development
7) Zero depth ... recruiting problem
8) Inability to win close games (name one) ... in game adjustment problem
9) Making all these excuses ... responsibility problem
10) Knowing you are going to lose before you even step on the floor ... priceless.
I can't really defend Lebo. He hasn't accomplished much at Auburn. Whether that's coaching or recruiting or bad luck isn't for me to decide.
Jay Jacobs, on the other hand, has some tough "decisions" ahead.
I want to note that I think Paul Rhoads was in Atlanta today and, as you know, Tuberville was in Atlanta today.
Just pointing that out.
You know what the real problem with AU Bball is. Nobody cares. All of you seem content to be the whipping boys of the SEC. "Oh well, don't be too hard on him. He's just doing the best he can." Bull$%#@.
I have been watching and supporting AU Bball all of my life. We have never been this bad. Average coaches of the past, i.e. Sonny Smith and Cliff Ellis, somehow managed to put some pretty good players on the floor. Guys who were going to the next level. Is there a player on our team with NBA potential? NO!
Lebo is a loser. Losers lose. That's what they do. Until we find a winner, we won't be winners. Does this make any sense to you?
We could of used Toney Douglas. =(
That was a very ominous post JG. What's up?
This timetable tells me that Tuberville did not expect Muschamp to leave. You'd think he'd have been better prepared when Southern Miss and Arkansas were considering him.
Yeah i think Rhoads is at the very least Tuberville's backup plan. I wonder if he is waiting on someone else. Do you think he would say there are three or fours guys if Rhoads was about to get the job?
Oh, I think Tommy has several back-up plans in the event something falls through with his No. 1 guy.
He says interest has been high and I believe him. Auburn is a good place to coach. Those guys make good money and Tuberville is the ultimate hands-off coach.
As far as Lebo goes, yea, I don't agree that he should get a free pass just because Auburn is a football school.
Look at Ole Miss. Basketball there is at least as forgotten as it is at Auburn ... yet they're awesome now.
Despite the disease that is AU basketball before us, Jeff Lebo can coach. If you want to identify Lebo's problems realistically it should start with Cliff Ellis. Yea, he recruited well...with money. He couldn't coach worth a lick. Chris Porter was just a piece a meat whereas Josh Dollard is tucked away under Lebo's wing (you probably don't know the real story).
Give Lebo '09. He deserves that. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Your pal,
Anonymous
Your closing was very sweet. Okay, I give in. I'll call Bobby and Jay and tell them to give him one more year, but only because you asked.
If I understand this correctly, Anonymous thinks that CTT was unprepared b/c CTT hasn't already hired a DC. Whose timetable is this based on? I see two options: a)some impatient fan that has never hired a DC or b)A proven coach that has a great record hiring DC's and says that all is going well.
Auburn Math, you do understand this bball thing is out of your hands?
Marco Killingsworth and his disciples left Auburn once they realized they weren't getting an allowance anymore. This includes a certain forward/center at Ole Miss. Auburn basketball was filthy under Ellis. Filthy coaches wrap up their career at Coastal Carolina.
You've got some very strong characters on that basketball team that apparently you can't see. I won't make excuses for Lewis, Barber, and Dollard. Sh*t happens. It happens a lot lately with that program. Yet Auburn will be in a position next season where they can hack some of this snake bitten stuff.
Hoopie is on the money.
I am here to tell you if you hang around long enough this will happen.
CTT will be AD while JJ and BL will be RIP.
Somebody brought out an excellent point upstairs. When you peg a Tuberville tendancy, he rapidly goes the opposite direction. He's like a George Castanza, an "Even Steven" Jerry Seinfeld, and a staunchy Peterman all in one. But it doesn't end there..
... where they can hack some of this snake bitten stuff ...
Don't count on it.
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08016/849833-100.stm
link to story
I'm a real dunce. I'm angry. I realize I live in fear. But I also realize by God I can overcome my fear and appreciate the human experience for everything that it is.
Thank you for the link.
Talk about unnamed sources. My goodness!
I get the even steven Seinfeld and stauncy Peterman character references, but Costanza was so complicated, I can't make the connection.
I'm a real dunce. I'm angry. I realize I live in fear. But I also realize by God I can overcome my fear and appreciate the human experience for everything that it is.
8:54 PM
That was really neat. Why don't you pretend to be someone else. What was your point again?
I don't understand why you're feeling the heat, auburnmath101. You're far less crazy than Auburn Football Stuff.
He's certifiable.
Jay, The Alabama press has not turned the AU DC hire into a circus. I guess CTT has kept it so quiet that even "sources" don't have clue.
Cliff Ellis didn't even coach the team the last couple of years.
I think Lebo is a good coach with one of the worst basketball jobs in the country.
Why would any decent basketball player want to come to AU unless they were football fans? Maybe you can explain that one since you don't understand my point.
No coach can win in the SEC when you can't cheat to recruit. How could you win if you can't offer what other schools can? Are you going to recruit someone away from the salary another school is offering with your loyal AU fan support?
My point is; AU fans should try supporting the basketball team so that Lebo has more to work with on the recruiting trail (since he can't cheat).
I know if I were a recruit, I just wouldn't want to go to a school where the SEC fans can't even bother to go to 'the other' sport.
I personally don't like 'fans' that only support teams in good years; and as a player I would refuse to give 4 years of my life to fans that wouldn't care.
The fact that Lebo could recruit any decent player to AU, without cheating; against almost every other school in the country that can cheat, is the real mystery to me.
I agree that the Alabama press hasn't turned this D.C. search into a circus. Did someone allege that?
I can see the Friday morning headlines now: "All Rhoads lead to Auburn"
well muunuu, then I guess it's hopeless and we should just quit playing basketball.
JG ... am I getting heat? Well GOOOOOOOD ... I am just trying to help keep you in place as the HABOTN.
muunuu:
I agree whole heartedly with you.
Paul R is the guy.
I'm sure some higher ups at Auburn would have no problem if basketball didn't exist.
But instead they told Lebo to never cheat.
Which is basically the same thing.
auburnmath101, is that you, Neal?
I'm turning in for the night.
You all play nice. I'll check back in the morning.
Sorry about this Jay (the follow text spam), but the statement:
"Lebo is a loser. Losers lose. That's what they do. Until we find a winner, we won't be winners;"
is just too inaccurate for me to let go.
--
In six years as a collegiate head coach prior to Auburn, Lebo turned around two programs at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech en route to a 115-63 career record, an average of 19.2 wins per season. A pair of Ohio Valley Conference Championships at Tennessee Tech and coming within one game of the NIT Final Four with Tech dot Lebo's ledger.
Lebo has accumulated a very impressive 113-69 record (.656) in his last six seasons as a head coach ... an average of 18.3 victories a season.
He was an assistant coach for eight years at South Carolina, Vanderbilt and East Tennessee State after playing the 1989-90 season with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.
As an All-ACC point guard and four-year starter at the University of North Carolina from 1986-89, Lebo helped lead the Tar Heels to a 116-25 record and four trips to the NCAA Tournament, two to the Elite 8 and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances. The Tar Heels won two ACC Regular Season Championships and one ACC Tournament Championship with Lebo, who was a two-time All-ACC Tournament selection and an All-ACC second-team pick in 1988.
In high school, Lebo led Carlisle (Pa.) High to a 108-9 record in his four-year career, culminating with the 1985 Pennsylvania State Class 4A Championship as a senior. He earned All-America honors and was a four-time all-state selection.
--
Lebo might know something about winning, eh?
Yes, muunuu. And, auburnmath101 knows how to scream loud. The two don't mesh.
Who is Neal?
muunuu ... I can't figure you out. First you say that AU should quit playing basketball, then you sound like you want to marry Jeff Lebo. What IS your position on the basketball issue?
Jay, I should have been more clear. Your comment regarding the Pittsburg paper quoting "unamed sources" signalled to me the start of a media circus in Pitt. I was merely complementing the Ala press for not doing such so far.
It's snowing in NW Ga and i'm out.
You know what is ridiculous? If CTT had gone .500 for the last three seasons, you people would be going nuts. NUTS! Why does Lebo get off the hook so easy? Are your expectations that low?
auburnsports.com is reporting that Tubs has offered Rhoads the job as DC.
Is it really that hard to understand the Cliff Ellis damage?
Or not being allowed to cheat?
The only thing we agree on is the problem. The way the AU fans don't care about basketball.
But you are saying they would show if they were good; and I'm saying, how can they be good if he can't cheat to recruit and the fans don't go to the games?
How could you convince a 17 year old; with all these movie ideas of what college is like and with dreams of playing in the NBA, to come to your school?
I love Auburn, but lets face it; it only appeals to certain types of people.
Imagine you are a recruit. Probably one of the most popular and most athletic people in school your whole life. You come to Auburn.. there is nothing around, nothing to do. You aren't from the state of Alabama and it's your first visit. The weather is nice and the girls are attractive; but you can't offer me or my family anything. You come to a game on a recruiting visit and meet the coach. You go out for the game, and there is no one there. It's not a holiday, you saw people all over campus all day. You ask if there is something else going on and find out it is empty every night no matter what.
Why would you come to Auburn? You might like the coach.. but he has nothing to offer you but himself.
Meanwhile you are going on other recruiting trips in places more like the college life you saw in the movies. They offer to help you or your family out. The fans actually show up to the games.
Where would you go?
Lebo isn't the problem; it's the AU 'family' that can't bother to support the 'other sport.'
He can't cheat, he will never be allowed to cheat. The only way to do better in recruiting when you can't cheat is to make the school more appealing. Auburn in itself isn't that appealing if you like the city. Or even the strip idea of college life. An empty coliseum is not appealing either.
No coach that would replace Lebo would be allowed to cheat either, so recruiting will not change until the AU family changes.
I think that auburnmath is on to something. Why should we not want excellence in all things? From academics on down, AU men and women strive to achieve great things. This includes excellence in failure. By that I mean, that when we fail, we take it with a measure of reality and determine to correct our mistakes. We do not decide to accept the status quo and say "Oh well, that's just the way it is." That's not Auburn.
So the AU family should decide that it's okay to cheat?
lets cheat and have the football team suffer, yea, thats a good idea people
muunuu is right. why would a hotshot kid come to auburn, it's pretty boring.
you want better players then pay for them, thats the only way to get them in this day and age
I really can't believe what I am reading.
No, the AU family should decide to go to the games.
You know, because you are such strong supporters of AU that you go to games even if they aren't nationally ranked.. oh wait, no.
But you would go if they were nationally ranked.
That is some great loyalty there; I'm sure it attracts a lot of recruits.
No men's basketball coach will ever be allowed to cheat until the football program is in serious decline.
Which I don't think the people that tell Lebo (it doesn't even matter who the coach is) to not cheat, will ever let that happen to the football program.
Auburnsports.com is saying that Auburn is offering Rhoads 400,000. why would Auburn offer him that much? He is only making 180,000 that's kinda insane to me.
muunuu - I have to disagree with you. I think there is a better way.
A better way involves fan support. Which AU basketball does not have.
It will never have it again if the AU family doesn't make the conscious choice and dedication to support it.
No basketball coach will be allowed to cheat at Auburn as long as the football program remains solid.
What is so appealing about Auburn Alabama of all the places you could play basketball to a 16 year old?
When the rabid fans for football can't seem to find the coliseum.
There is no 'better way' if the AU family won't help *insert any basketball coach name* by showing support for AU basketball; then Auburn will never sign *insert any highly touted recruit name*.
I assume you both are thinking back to the Chris Porter days? I would question how legit his signing was. Lebo can't cheat and get the best players, how many times do I have to say this. And I think Ellis had already quit coaching the team by then.
Okay. Well then let's hope that Auburn hire a ferocious cheater and that all the Auburn alumni and fans will just love him to death and show up in droves to see him cheat.
That's not at all what I am saying?
I'm saying that the AU family should go to the basketball games no matter what.
I'm saying it is sad that they can't be bothered to go unless the team is good.
I am not saying Lebo should cheat.
I am saying 'people' told Lebo to not cheat.
I am saying the same 'people' would tell any basketball coach that they hire to replace Lebo the exact same thing they told him.
I am saying that if you want AU basketball to get better, then go to the games and show some support so that kids see how passionate the AU family is; because right now all they see is empty seats.
"let's hope that Auburn hire a ferocious cheater and that all the Auburn alumni and fans will just love him to death and show up in droves to see him cheat."
Will never happen UNTIL the AU family actually SUPPORTS basketball by default. No coach will be allowed to cheat and risk the sake of the football program. How can you get a 16 year old to come to Auburn Alabama when he sees thousands of empty seats? You can't even offer him any money.
If you want AU basketball to mean something, then the AU family has to go and show support so that ANY coach would be able to recruit some kids to Auburn. No matter who the coach is they won't be allowed to cheat. The AU family's basketball support doesn't make it any easier on recruiting, no matter who the coach would be.
Not that hard to understand is it?
muunuu ... do you go to the games? I do.
I do actually.
That's why I'm so disheartened by the crowd size.
Which I relate to a lack of dedication to all things AU by the family. That and fans that either only care about football, or only care when teams are good; or both.
The way to save AU basketball is to fill the coliseum with support; to get the team excited, to give them something to play for, to see they aren't wasting their lives at YOUR school.
No basketball coach will ever be allowed to cheat at Auburn because the football program always means more (and should).
That means even if they did get rid of Lebo nothing would change because the next coach can't cheat either; and he has no more tools to recruit with than Lebo does since the family still won't show up for basketball then either.
muunuu - it seems like in your book there are only two kinds of coaches: those who have no ability to inspire and cheaters. Is there no other type of coach?
G, is it possible to get a few new comments on here just so we can start a new thread? Some people like to dance a little too much.
The one and only, Anonymous
Yea. I'll fire up a new blog here momentarily.
I think it's odd, given the situation at Ole Miss right now, that people think basketball can't be good at Auburn without rampant cheating.
Andy Kennedy? You think he's cheating? You KNOW Rod Barnes wasn't cheating before that.
AMEN
Recruiting, Player development, game plan, in game adjustments, sounds like coaching to me. Anonymous, man-up and put your name on here. If b-ball was a disease before Lebo, I'll take the sickness anyday. A number one seed, sweet sixteen births, a team that may have a chance to be on selection sunday, I'll take it over not even making the NIT. Should you really make allegations about paying players without any proof? Other teams are getting it done, why can't we? People probably don't go to the games because we're tired of seeing a 6-4 guard trying to defend a center. Why can't we get tall players? It's embarassing! Trust me, we don't need to pay players. We just need some good looking women to join the b-ball version of the football Tigerettes!
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