A little housekeeping
Hey everyone. I'm chilly willy this morning. Is there any way I can cover Auburn from western Australia? I want to be there sailing for some reason. I haven't sailed in years, so that seems like an odd thing to want. I still do.
HALL OF FAME UPDATES: Several newcomers have made tangible contributions to the HABOTN during the past month or so. It's important that we focus on praising new posters; recruiting is the "lifeblood" of any organization. That's what Tommy Tuberville told me.
So big ups our new "NOTABLE NEWCOMERS":
TODAY'S SCHEDULE: I'll be making another video this afternoon. Look for that around 3. I also have some interesting quotes from other players to share. ETA on that is around noon.
Peace to all.
HALL OF FAME UPDATES: Several newcomers have made tangible contributions to the HABOTN during the past month or so. It's important that we focus on praising new posters; recruiting is the "lifeblood" of any organization. That's what Tommy Tuberville told me.
So big ups our new "NOTABLE NEWCOMERS":
- (The Front Rim posse)
- au1n04
- mark
- dan
- shesaid
TODAY'S SCHEDULE: I'll be making another video this afternoon. Look for that around 3. I also have some interesting quotes from other players to share. ETA on that is around noon.
Peace to all.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
8:26 AM
111 Comments:
At Auburn, our head coach has gone from "we have a good plan going into the season" to "I knew we would struggle."
This will never happen, but you guys would love to hear The Beat Hacks discuss all these issues.
We all watch the same stuff, talk with many of the same people and come away with vastly different opinions of what's going on at Auburn.
Anyone who disagrees with me, of course, is wrong. Unless it's P-Marsh. He's a Hall of Famer in my book.
I would buy the rounds to sit next to that table for a night, Jay G.
Many have asked me why I am calling for Tubs head. I'm not doing that; I have joined the "I don't think he'll be here in 2009" group though.
My reasoning is this. I don't think Auburn is a quick fix. I also don't know of a coach (or coaches) on the offensive that would be willing to take a chance to come in here for a one-year or else fix situation. I also believe (or maybe just hope) that The Powers That Be (when not haggling Buffy and Angel) know this as well and are ready to make a wholesale change.
My thoughts...
Yeah really - that would be good stuff to play the "fly on the wall" around the AU beat writers. Lot's of juicy gossip there for sure!
Some bammer at work has put shiny red paper on his office door with a big #1 on it (complete with magnetic helmets and other nasty looking stuff). Unfortunately I have to walk right buy it to go in and out of the building. If my phone could take pics I don't think I would waste the time or energy on it.
Ugh - this is gonna be a long week...
Oh yeah, welcome to the CTT is gone next year camp Mr. S. Nice to have you join!
Better late than never, ehh James?
I feel for you. Down here, people are actually talking basketball around the watercooler this morning.
Amazing...
What is Phillip Marshalls opinion?
Tubs also concurred with Dunaway and Brown in August that AU was the team to beat in the west. To paraphrase his remark - Go ahead and put the bull's eye on us, everyone else is.
I like Tubs and am on record as saying that he's back next year. But if he really belived that AU would struggle this year, he kept those feeling to himself.
As far as P-Marsh, I was speaking in general terms. He makes his opinions pretty available over at his version of Valhalla.
i must say that i feel like Michael Jordan getting passed up by the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers for Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie respectively in the 1984 NBA Draft. Guess i will just have to work hard like MJ and define and eventually cement myself into HABOTN's wall of fame...
Nice to see you've come to your senses Sensi. What up and coming OC would want to walk into the situation going on at AU right now?
You think CPR is kicking himself right now? Change is needed to revive this program. It's virtually stuck in mud right now.
Jay, has Slimebaum and his crew of toothless halfwits called you an Auburn homer yet? Ever since PMarsh left, they've needed a beat hack to vilify. I think you should actively campaign for that distinction. :)
Here's the plan:
Keep CTT.
Pay Mike Leach a couple mil to be OC and to come over to AU and bring who ever he wants with him.
Auburn wins the 2010 BCS NC.
Personally, I prefer to keep my head stuck in the sand. I believe Tuberville can bring in a name OC and turn things around. I believe, rather that blowing $6 Million to get rid of him, we should focus on using that cash to get a quality offensive coordinator.
I also read that McFadden said that if Tuberville left many of the players feel they should leave too. What would that do to recruiting?
Folks, this team has talent. This team has potential. Changing offenses in the middle of the season was a disaster, yet expected. Give Tuberville the extra season to get this turned around or our recruiting class is lost. We need a new OC quickly after the end of the season, although it might have to wait until after the first of the year.
See what Tuberville comes up with. If next season isn't a significant improvement, Tuberville should be gone. Before this season everyone felt Auburn had lots of talent and should win the west. The talent has left. Just give it time.
CPR needed a change from Pitt and they that fanbase didnt seem to lose sleep over his departure. Why would a good up and coming OC not want to come here? We have the talent to be good and if he turns this program around that would instantly catapult him into HC contention.
I think the number of people in the seats this weekend will be very telling...
I would venture to guess there may have been 200 people at Tigerwalk in Oxford. I have never seen a Tigerwalk with so few people.
I'm sure it's interesting conversation following almost every Tub press conference.
Struggling is one thing, not being able to get more than 1 offensive TD a game in conference play is a completely different level of impotence.
Steve, there is talent on the team...but not leaders or playmakers. That's what we so sorely need on this team right now.
Mr. S- Good statement. I find myself believing exactly as you are.
Steve- Your efforts are futile. Get on the bandwagon while there is still room. :)
I don't think Tubs can bring in any reputible OC at this time. No one is going to want to come to a job for possibly only having a year to work.
Steve, I have a hard time putting my hopes in next year. What OC will come to Auburn knowing the leash is short on Tubs and they may only be here one year? Do we take that chance? Just asking.
WarEagleRK, keep in mind that this is a very young team. Many of these players will be playmakers next season.
I agree with Steve.
Use the $6 mil (not all of it) to hire a good OC. And keep tubs.
SteveFC - Good post. This team has talent along with a MASH list that includes virtually the entire starting defense. Winning with all the talent injured and on the sidelines would be difficult for anyone to do.
Tubs could get sacked for not winning this year, he could get sacked for having to play true freshmen who were not highly recruited, he could get sacked for two consecutive years of 4+ loss seasons. But for several reasons, I think he deserves a chance to make it right.
Just my thoughts ...
Chris Low of ESPN starting to pour it on Tubs:
With and Without Franklin Stats
I've asked this before, but am not sure I got an answer. What happened on Saturday that would make anyone change their mind about Tuberville? If Kodi Burns doesn't throw that INT in the red zone, is Tubs all of a sudden a better coach? We were underdogs in that game, is it really surprising the way things went? I just find it hard to believe anyone would change their mind that hadn't already done so before this game. No new information came to light, man.
This season is lost, it has been lost for quite some time now. You know it, I know it, the coaches know it, the players know it.
There's always room on the bandwagon. That's why it's a bandwagon.
By the way, congrats to the newest NN and FTH members.
Michael,
Coming back, taking a lead, and maybe winning the game would show signs of life. Instead, it's a mistake followed by a meltdown/beatdown and more misleading comments.
Has a SEC team ever lost to Vandy, Ole Miss & Arkansas in the same year?
Much less to all 3 in the span of a month?
Yes, RK. Auburn 2008.
I figured that was our record setting achievement of this year.
Is it the only time that happened in the Tuberville era?
Oh, and I think we are close to some record lows for offense in the Tubs era as well.
Jay G, you got any stats on that?
When's the last time Auburn has lost 4 straight games? We will blow away UT Martin or we will struggle?
Michael,
It's not surprising the way things went on Saturday based on how we have played all year long, but I think a lot of people really believed that Tub could turn it around and beat Ole Miss this week.
I think for the past month a lot of people have felt each week like it was going to turn around, but after the Ole Miss game was over it started to sink in for them that it's not getting turned around this year.
So Tub didn't become a worse coach on Saturday, but a lot of people lost some of the faith they had in him to turn it around after seeing the 4th game in a row that lost, when we should have enough talent to win.
Yeah, Eddie, Low started his "Bash Tubs" campaign on Saturday night and then stepped it up another gear today, though as I posted in his comments section, he would have done well to exclude our first two games from his chart as otherwise the numbers would look dramatically different, especially with regard to points per game.
I think Low is one of those Journos who likes to pretend he thinks it is ridiculous that a coach could be under pressure, and then he goes ahead and stokes the fire himself. Classy.
We lost 5 in a row in 1999.
Totally forgot 1999, thanks RK!
Who's responsibile for the lack of playmakers? It kills me watching other teams play that have WR's that can take it to the house on any given play.
I was watching Cinncinati and USF Thurday night. A UC WR caught a pass on I believe a slant pattern and took it 40 yards down the middle of the field for a score. I sat there and asked myself if AU had a WR that could do that. Unfortunately, we know the answer.
But that was Tub's first year, I could understand why we lost so much.
The sentiment seems to be that no good OC would want to come here because of CTT's uncertain future, high expectations, etc.
My question is, what good HC would want to come here knowing that they could build and sustain a winning program and one losing season could end their tenure? I really hope the powers that be have better sense that this.
I hate watching the highlight packages on College Gameday Final and you see big play after big play. Great players breaking tackles and running 70 yards.
This year our big plays are anything that goes for positive yards where I'm not cussing Ziemba for doing something stupid to bring it back 10 yards.
Seriously 06, 07 & 08, we've had many full games where our longest play from scrimmage was 20 yards or less... somehow we've won more than our share of them, but it's catching up this year.
Big cat,
That's the climate of almost any major college football program in 2008, not just Auburn. There is very little room for error in this era.
Jetgate has given Auburn the reputation as being hazardous to coaching careers. Chizik and Muschamp hit the bricks at the first decent opportunity. Our coffers are low and we're paying salaries to a couple of guys who're keeping the kids and watching television. Facilities are falling behind and need a money infusion. Where in all that is a reason a top coach would come to sit in this frying pan?
The only facility that we are really behind on is the indoor practice faclility.
Read any recruits' comments about our weight room compared to other top programs?
Next home gamewatch the video that has the words 'do want it,do you need it,etc.' I do not think there is a signle highlight from the '08 sesaon. The ones I recall are all from '07. In '07 it was a great opening to each game, now it just fills time before the kickoff and reminds of what we had.
Fulmer probably announced as out in K-Town today.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3679810
Michael- This was the first game without a good half. We looked bad in both halfs, granted the 2nd was better than the 1st for a change. I believe everyone thought that we would have more of a game plan on offense being that we have practiced this for 3 + weeks, but again, it looks like we are just winging it.
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FULMER IS OUT AT UT!
Read it HERE
Sensible, looks like we were on the same wavelenght.
Yep, I got a couple emails early and I finally got some time to dig it.
I mean, they fired him after they went to the SECCG last year and a national title in 1998.
Hmm...
Will Muschamp take the UT job? These next few months will be very interesting.
As I said before, expectations at a major college football program in 2008 are far different than they were even 5 or 6 years ago.
Who will UT's new coach be?
lots of people will be happy up here once Fulmer is buh-bye. extremely happy.
I don't know, but I don't want to compete with their money and facilities if we have to go into a coaching search battle with UT.
UT's coach will be Jon Gruden.
We missed out, gang!!!
"UT's coach will be Jon Gruden."
Not even. I bet they go for Dave Cutcliffe.
Michael- Are you trying to stir Scott Van Pelt up.
Has Gruden ever coached college? David Cutcliffe does make sense.
If I am reading it right, UT will : have to pay him 6 million to get out of the contract too.
Things that make you go Hmmm...
Well, I am not surprised about Fulmer. I think he made some bad choices with his offensive coordinator too. I thought it a mistake for him to bring Cutcliff back after he bolted for Ole Miss. Yes, Cutcliff is good, but you knew he would leave for another HC position. Tennessee has had talented players and deep pockets. There is no reason to think they shouldn't be more consistent than they have been.
Timeout for a "feel good" from Jason Campell in the Washington Post. A visit to a second grade class at an elementary school:
"By the end of the assembly Campbell had a group of kids, including Taylor, chanting "War Eagle!" for his beloved Auburn University."
I wonder if Van Pelt will hammer on UT fans, bloggers, and such today.
SteveFC, Cutcliffe also bolted for Duke because he did not agree with the level of discipline at UT.
Mr. Sensible, Cutcliff would be an interesting choice and very ironic after how Fulmer got the job in the first place. From what I hear, Johnny Majors is still turning down his free membership offer to the Phil Fulmer fan club.
Just heard Fulmer is gone at Tn. Anyone confirm this?
Sensible, where did you get that information about Cutcliffe leaving UT because he didn't agree with teh discipline situation? Are you saying if they had a higher level of discipline he would have stayed as a coordinator instead of bolting for a head coaching gig?
Whoever said it earlier was right: Cut was there just as something to do between head coaching gigs.
Gruden was a GA at Tennessee. I think he is from Tennessee (as in born there). Don't know what kind of college coach he'd make though. He strikes me as having the kind of personality that he wouldn't put up with all the b.s. that comes along with it (gladhanding the alums/boosters, recruiting bloated-ego high school kids, etc). The NFL and college games are so vastly different. You don't see too many guys go from one to the other with much success.
Mr. Sensible, you bring up a good point, and possibly the biggest reason Fulmer should be gone. The discipline problems have been pretty rampant in the last 4 or 5 years. Fulmer has had players do and say things that would get them thrown off most SEC teams.
Successful coaches to kick the best player he has off the team if he doesn't follow the rules. Look at what Spurrier did at South Carolina. Half the team was gone. It also probably has a lot to do with Shula getting canned also.
Another great example is Les Miles and his star QB who is now off the team. Man, I can't believe I gave Miles as an example, but it is true.
And probably the biggest example was with Meyer and Tebow. The fans wanted Tebow as the starter when he was backing up Leak. Meyer outright said that if Tebow wasn't okay with playing a backup roll, he wouldn't play.
Good coaches know how to discipline their teams.
Michael,
He'd have probably gone to a HC job but he said that stuff when he left.
OK, Jay, I'm making good on my promise to you that I would visit. Now show me some love! And tell me where I can get an official T-shirt.
Well posted SteveFC.
A list of candidates to replace Fulmer.
Steve Spurrier would be interesting at Tennessee. With the talent Tennessee has, it would mean instant success. Spurrier does a lot with little talent at South Carolina.
Has anyone heard what time the Auburn/Georgia game will kickoff?
The firing of Fulmer will impact what goes on with Tuberville. Tennessee has beat us to the punch and they have deep pockets. It wouldn't shock me if they upped the ante in terms of coaches salaries.
UT is Looking at These Coaching Candidates
While I hate the BCS as much as the next person, here is one guy I do NOT want to hear crying about it.
"The more we win the worse we get," he joked. (Pete Carroll)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-uscfyi3-2008nov03,0,4966800.story
I can easily see UT paying 5 to 6 million for a new head coach, which will have a major impact on any decision that is made about CTT.
The on thing these two programs have in common - COMPLACENCY.
I still believe we can turn this season around if we just improve the entrance music. How about Kashmir by Led Zepplin? That could do it.
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Well, now Clemson and Tennessee have a lead on finding a new coach.
And someone get some tape and a spoon to secure SteveFC. He's lost it.
LOL
Hey, Kashmir works for love making. I know. I watched Fast Times at Ridgemont High. It has to work for football.
Good one Steve. We will turn the season around starting with Winter Workouts in 2009.
What about Tony Franklin to replace Tuberville? I don't know how the football team would do, but the press conferences would be much more interesting. I can see it now, 15 minutes of self deprecating humor brought to you by the Franklin System.
So the "Great Pumpkin" has been canned after Halloween. He must be a rotting pumpkin now.
i support anything that brings more Led Zeppelin to the party.
mo Zeppelin! mo Zeppelin!
I will idsappointedif they get Petersen from Boise State. He is a good coach and I think an up an comer. If we lose Tubbs, I would like him at AU. After Fulmer's departure, I think it is even more foolish to fire Tubbs. Two schools, with deep pockets, in the South looking for a coach is enough. Snap up a good OC early and avoid the rush.
Keeping with the theme, I think Zep's "Nobody's Fault But Mine" might be the Tub entrance music.
good work RK. classic!
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"Tuberville" (to the tune of Margaritaville)
Nibblin at a tailgate
Watchin the team fake
Their way through a homecoming cupcake game
All of our rivals
Are moving up the polls
I say the hotseat is beginning to boil
Wasting another season with Tuberville
Searching for any sign of offense
The head coach claims there are many things to blame
But he assures us it is not his fault
I don’t buy the reasons
The coach says it’s a tough season
If the team has the talent as has been said
We fired the OC
The got worse on offense – really?
The more we play the more we don’t have a clue
Wasting another season with Tuberville
Searching for any sign of offense
The head coach plans to fire everyone one else he can blame
But he assures us it is not his fault
Got blown out in Morgantown
Then dropped to Ole Miss
That’s four in a row for you all counting at home
Clemson and Tennesse
Already fired their coaches I see
Is there any reason we can’t join on in?
Wasting another season with Tuberville
Searching for any sign of offense
The head coach claims he’s not the one to take the blam
But we all know it’s his own fault
Rumour is Mike Leach to Tennessee.
I can see it.
oh, Jay, Props to calling youself a 'hack' above....priceless
Peterson would be phenomenal. I doubt it happens. I think he would be great though.
At AU that is.
Leach at UT would be scary. SCARY!
Cobra- I like it, but revise your main chorus:
Wasting another season Away with Tommy Tuberville
Searching for any sign of an offense
Steve From Columbia claims he’s not the one to take the blame
But we all know it’s his own DAMN fault
Could the fact that Fulmer is out at UT could affect AU's decision?
Cutcliffe's got the UT job sewn up. He's been waiting on that one for awhile....or so I hear.
Cutcliffe and Fulmer are pretty close. It would be mildly surprising if he took the UT job. He doesn't quite come off as a Petrino. But who knows, money talks.
First off, welcome to Troyznoiz. He's old-school HABOTN ... like when the HABOTN was a state of mind and not yet a tangible concept.
In an unrelated note ... I also believe Tennessee's situation will impact Auburn. Tennessee gave Fulmer tons of chances. They didn't lead anywhere good. Will Auburn try to learn from UT's mistakes vicariously?
Add this to the rumor mill. Borges is going to be the new OC at Miss. State next season.
My understanding was that Cutcliff wouldn't take it without permission from Fulmer because they are very close friends.
I also want to thank Jay for adding me to the newcomer list. Very cool.
"Could the fact that Fulmer is out at UT could affect AU's decision?"
Yes, if Auburn is looking to change coaches, then it does greatly effect the decision. Most potential coaching prospects are going to take a job at UT over us.
For those who are saying Cutcliffe, I just don't see it. He's either 60 or almost 60. UT will go after someone younger.
Jay:
Can Auburn afford to give Tubs one more season and hope that he turns it around? And by afford I'm not necessarily talking about $$$. Do you think if he stays another year he will be on a VERY short leash? And what good OC in his right mind would take the job knowing he may only be there one year?
I see a lot of similarities in the UT and Auburn situations.
-Previously successful head coaches
-Change from a veteran OC last year to a relative unknown OC with spread offense
-Graduation of senior QB's
-Highly touted but unproven QB's
-Incredibly inept offenses
-Good defenses
-Biggest rival is #1 with 2nd year head coach
-Proven RB's having difficult year
Will Tuberville meet the same fate as Fulmer?
Jim in Scranton, you just scared me with your comparisons. I know I watched Auburn play Tennessee but is it possible the players switched uniforms and Tennessee's players beat Auburn's players playing as Tennessee's players? I'm not convinced I'm wrong considering when I walked out of the stadium I felt like Auburn lost.
New thread added. Comments from Jason Bosley and Timothy Hawthorne included.
ps: I thought Borges was going to be the MSU OC like now. I'm surprised it hasn't happened.
Jay,
Regarding Al Borges to Mississippi State ... does his wife's professional situation limit his mobility on the job market? Talked to her at a local civic function last week and she still seems pretty stoked about living here.
I'd be stoked to be Nikki Borges these days, too.
Is that the best job in college athletics?
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