Managing a meltdown

Hey everyone. It's been an interesting 24 hours of governmental events, no doubt, but that's not my business. I write about Auburn sports. It's no less interesting these days.

An example:

I'm wondering what Auburn plans to do about this emerging situation involving its head coach of 10 years. The program is at its lowest point since Brother Oliver was in command. Coach Tommy Tuberville's team has a poor offense, a weakened defense and more injuries than they can count.

The offensive implosion affected the defense in negative ways. We know this.

We know the whys. Tuberville made several poor decisions involving Tony Franklin, his alleged offense and the way that alleged offense was implemented. There are at least five reasonable ways to view this situation:

• Tommy Tuberville stinks.
  
• Tony Franklin stinks.
  
• The offensive assistants stink for not providing Franklin more support.
  
• Tuberville doesn't necessarily stink, but made some major personnel errors.
  
• A mix of everything above -- like a "suicide" drink at summer camp.

Tuberville already has admitted to messing up the Franklin experiment, so we have an official call there. Some fans find it therapeutic when the coach admits mistakes. That's what Tony Franklin told me, anyway. Fine.

That doesn't solve the most pressing issue now.

Is Tuberville going to coach at Auburn in 2009? That's something athletic and university administrators (along with a few others) are pondering these days. The coach has his backers. He has detractors. I believe they're in approximately the same ratio they were two months ago.

I've heard sound logic applied to the idea of firing Tuberville. These folks say recent recruiting hauls have been weak, the team has been less powerful in the SEC each year since 2004 and the Franklin Foulup has been a killer.

The Tuberville backers say he is the program's best-ever coach, a good representative of Auburn and, basically, he's better than almost anyone else the Tigers could lure. With vacancies at Tennessee and Clemson already drawing indirect interest, this "offseason" market will favor coveted coaches. Auburn could find itself bidding against some deep-pocketed programs if Auburn chooses to pursue The Hot Names.

If Auburn doesn't make a decision soon, though, it risks a replay of 2003.

Tuberville was fired in 2003. The decision had been made. Only a twist of fate altered that plan.

If Auburn doesn't make a firm decision on Tuberville's future -- and go public with that notion -- it may again find its future in someone else's hands.

What if Tuberville wins the Iron Bowl this year?

Is that unlikely? Of course. Alabama has an outstanding team this season.

Still, what if? Is Auburn really going to spend $7.2 million to fire a staff that just beat Alabama for a seventh consecutive year?

I'll believe it when I see it.