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12.07.2008

Coaching reset

We're up to Day Four of Auburn's "search" for a new football coach. Let's reset what has happened so far (with newest developments first):

12/8: Fisher will be in town speaking to the Montgomery Quarterback Club.
12/6: Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich (a candidate for Auburn's AD job in 2004) reveals plans to meet with Tech coach Paul Johnson's representatives in the coming days. The plan: Sweeten Johnson's deal after his name was discussed in connection with Auburn's vacancy.
12/6: FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher provides a lukewarm denial of interest in Auburn, saying: "Auburn has not contacted me or my agent and we have not contacted them," Fisher told ESPN.com. "I'm very happy at Florida State. I'm very content at Florida State and I'm happy to be here."
12/5: FSU president T.K. Wetherell says any school aiming to hire offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher better be ready to pay the coach's $5 million buyout. Fisher's agent: Jimmy Sexton
12/5: Auburn requests formal permission to interview U. Buffalo coach Turner Gill.
12/5: Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt negotiates an $800,000 raise; not going to AU. Nutt's agent: Jimmy Sexton
12/3: Tommy Tuberville resigns. Tuberville's agent: Jimmy Sexton.

UNRELATED UPDATE (@6:30 p.m.): Since it's Coaching Search Time, I'm keeping a closer eye on the Auburn planes. Don Dunn flew over to Greenville, Miss., today to meet with tailback LaDarius Perkins. No word if Turner Gill was involved.

SECOND UNRELATED UPDATE (@8:45 p.m.): Hugh Nall, the Tigers' former offensive line coach, officially is out of football. He has accepted a job as COO of Southern AG Carriers out of Albany, Ga. We wish him a HOT future.

497 Comments:

Anonymous said...: TGills resume is far more impressive than I imagined. The only problem I see with hiring Gill is that Jimmy Sexton would get cut out of a commission..LOL.; 1:57 PM
Anonymous said...: Maybe we should assemble the names of potential HC candidates that AREN'T represented by Sexton and focus on those guys.; 1:59 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: FSU's prez comfirmed what I had read - 5 million for Fisher?

pass.

Where can I read up on Coach Gill?; 1:59 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Turner Gill is at Buffalo.

Doesn't sound like a stepping stone to the blue-blood SEC world. Maybe I'm wrong.; 1:59 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Here's a decent overview of what Gill is going with the Bulls.; 2:02 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay..I don't see any "blue bloods" available/attainable for AU. IMO, it's the primary reason we needed CTT to stay.; 2:02 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: What type of affense does Buffalo frun?; 2:04 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Jay - how do I post a link?; 2:05 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: They were running pro-style stuff at Auburn two years ago.; 2:05 PM
Dad said...: Is Brian Kelly not even on the radar, or is he seriously content to stay at Cincinnati?; 2:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Chris..one of the Al.com papers did a long resume summary. If we were to do an "up and comer", this might be the guy.

Unfortunately, there aren't any recent CFB bluebloods that are disatisfied and pluckable from the pros.; 2:06 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Jay,
Bottom line do you think Gill can get it done? i just have a feeling if given a chance he can succeed. Remember the only way to get experience is to learn ojt, and he has head coaching experience, please he did win a conference Championship. He has the resume' adn pedigree to succeed. Finally he has more associations with MNC's than any coach in the SEC presently...; 2:06 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: If I post the code, the page will think it's actually a code and try to execute it. Then you won't see it.

This page shows the code.; 2:06 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: If Auburn willingly watched a proven SEC coach leave last week, why would it now be satisfied with an unproven coach?; 2:07 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: I don't know enough about him, AUn, to make those kinds of judgments.

He may be great; he may suck.

I don't think Auburn is in position to take big risks. Then again, I'd have fired the basketball coach two years ago ... and he's still working.; 2:08 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec

I think if Gill could bring in some top tier recruiters --- Rodney Garner -- he can suceed.

Players win ball games and Florida was a great example last night.; 2:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay....I agree. So if that is the AU plan, then who is the proven blueblood that AU can hire?; 2:10 PM
Romberry said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2:11 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Gotcha on the linkage.

Chris Lowe at ESPN makes the argument - weak as it is - that Bammer derserves another shot at UF.

Because - snicker - "The beat 3 top 15 teams>"

(lumberg)Umm, yeah(/lumberg)

AU in 04 beat 5 top 10 teams if I recall.; 2:12 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: unproven based on what SEC experience... you as well as others think CTT and JJ were in a no win situation. AU was staggenet on offense, recruiting and had no drive on the program. Something needed to be done to re-energize the entire AU nation. I have spoken to several kids here in Mobile and they all make the statement UAT is whats hot right now and AU needs a new direction or high energy coach to compete on the recruiting trail.; 2:13 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Was Wyoming a stepping stone :).; 2:14 PM
Romberry said...: Stepping stone to the blue-blood SEC world? Lessee here...

Pat Dye came from Wyoming by way of East Carolina.

Urban Meyer came from Utah by way of Bowling Green.

Gene Stallings came from...well...nowhere. He had experience certainly but his record as a head coach was a losing one prior to getting the top job at Alabama. Stallings was 27-45-1 as head coach at Texas A&M, 23-34-1 as head coach of the NFL St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and was not coaching anywhere when Alabama called.

Tommy Tuberville? Tuberville was a career assistant/aspiring catfish restaurateur prior to his stint at Ole Miss where he fattened his (mediocre) record against lower tier teams prior to packing up his pine box and heading to Auburn.

Buffalo is (or at least was) the armpit of Division 1A (FBS) football, but Gill's pedigree is much more blue-blood that that. He's a Husker who was part of a couple of runs at the MNC as a player, and part of a couple of MNC's as an assistant on Osborne's Nebraska staff in the 90's. What he has done at Buffalo in three short years if fairly remarkable if you ask me. (Yeah, I know you didn't.)

I dunno if Gill is the guy for AU or even if he will get a legitimate shot. But blue-blood head coaching credentials aren't necessary. All that is needed is drive, determination, character, talent and an ability to recruit. I think Gill has all of those in spades. I hope he gets a shot. I hope AU picks up where MSU left off with Sly Croom. I think it would be a veritable coup.; 2:15 PM
barkley for governor said...: THE LIONS MIGHT GET THEIR FIRST WIN TODAY!; 2:16 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: What I read is that Muschamp, Gill seem to be 1a and 1b with Fisher trailing the back.

Only one has head coaching experience. Auburn looks like it is going to take a big risk no matter what, but we knew that when they fired Tubs.

I hear Johnson's name mentioned, but I don't believe he would leave Tech.; 2:18 PM
Anonymous said...: I thought that the Prattville LIONS won the 6A championship yesterday... Sorry for the slip, I do HSFB and not pros.; 2:19 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Well stated Roman. I feel the exact same way.; 2:20 PM
Monica said...: Great post, Roman.; 2:20 PM
Anonymous said...: I have seen a few posts by AU students saying they saw Spurrier in Auburn over the weekend.... anyone else heard this/seen the same???; 2:21 PM
James in Auburn said...: Roman,

That is an excellent post.; 2:23 PM
barkley for governor said...: I understand why people are wanting to see Gill hired, he is a guy we would all root for. I think people saw him on national television Friday night and warmed up to the idea of hiring him.

I think Auburn needs to try to make a more solid hire before they offer a guy with so little experience the job.

Brian Kelly is a proven winner, and he has Cincy in the BCS this year. That's pretty impressive, I think he should get an interview as well.

If the guys like Brian Kelly, Butch Davis, and Steve Spurrier say no, then we can hire the up and coming coach.; 2:24 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Just thought you would be interested on this tidbit:

Rivals is running a poll on who fans want for their head coach and it Lists:

Fisher
Gill
Muschamp
Johnson
Other

At this time Gill has a 412 to 408 lead.; 2:25 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Chicago is up on Jax 20 - 3.

Does Del Rio have his eye on getting out of town?

hmmmm.; 2:26 PM
Anonymous said...: If we are down to taking a chance, I like Gill over BoomMF. Boom is very raw. Gill's disadvanage: He doesn't have any SE connections for recruiting, etc. The SE has a lot more athletes ....and schools competing for them when compared to Neb. That place was an athlete-magnet when he was there.; 2:27 PM
tigerfan44 said...: Not choosing sides just asking,if gill is so great why has his not been mentioned for any other jobs that has been open this year. UT Clemson. Are we a step below these schools?; 2:29 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Tigerfan- He has been mentioned for the UT job, is a front runner for Syracuse and was a finalist for the Nebraska job last year.; 2:31 PM
Monica said...: I think Tar linked us up to some info that says Holtz is headed to Syracuse. Not sure if that is final.; 2:32 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm not convinced that Superior still has the fire. Maybe since his chances for success are better at AU, he would get some fire.; 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: I think everyone looking for coaches this year will have to "take a chance" on the guys available... Kiffin, Dabo, Gill, Sarkisian, etc... and hope the guy they choose turns into the Dye, Meyer, Richt, Stallings, etc.

Going back to what Roman posted earlier... to get a top tier coach, you have to look at potential and give it a chance, can't always pluck a Saban/Petrino from a bad spot in the pros...; 2:33 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: UT & Clemson didn't have the foresight to take a look at Gill.
Barkley, I agree Brian Kelly would be a good choice. He's definitely a winner. But I'm partial to coaches with a Southern connection. Kelly is from Massachusetts. Gill is from Texas. 'Nuff said.; 2:34 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: anyone else enjoy college football news.com?

I don't agree with everything but they're fo'real CFB nuts.

Check out his stream on Consciousness notes during the SECCG:

http://cfn.scout.com/2/818868.html; 2:34 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm not saying that Gill should be our first choice. I just haven't heard of a blueblood that is attainable. I'm assuming that Spurrier and Davis won't come to AU.

Someone name the bluebloods.

If not, then all we can do is discuss the secondary choices.; 2:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Everybody's quiet Hoopie... no bluebloods....; 2:46 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: When I said "blue-bloods," I meant people who are known quantities.

That would be guys like Petrino, Brian Kelly, Paul Johnson.; 2:47 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: B. davis. S. Spurrier, NFL coaches (Del Rio, Gruden, Cower)

Um, thinking.; 2:48 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Davis and Spurrier, yes.; 2:49 PM
Anonymous said...: The idea of Spurrier at AU just sunk in....I'm having a personal problem with that. The kinder/gentler(post-NFL) Spurrier is more palatable that the 90's version, but he is soft on discipline and let's his players trash talk.; 2:49 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Jay, do you think Johnson:

A) can recruit enough players toi win the SEC?

B) offense can beat SEC defenses?

I, for one, just don't. HS players all think theycan play in the NFL if their skills are honed. GT threw the ball 7 times against UGA and OL, RBs, WRs won't be attracted to a system like that - Just my opinion.; 2:50 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: He's also the ultimate hands-off recruiter.; 2:50 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: I don't think Johnson is the guy.; 2:50 PM
barkley for governor said...: PMarsh is in New York, and Turner Gill is on the front page of his website...; 2:52 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay.. you and PM have similar styles when being purposefully cryptic.; 2:52 PM
Anonymous said...: How can we know that Del Rio, Gruden and Cower can do more than a guy like Gill at the college level??? The known quntities are still a bit unknown when they have not been doing the same things a college coach does for years now in the pros.... even Spurrier's FLA success did not automatically translate to the same type of success at SC...

What I'm saying is that AU needs to look at all factors... not just known W-L records, but where have these guys been, what have they accomplished at a given place under the given circumstances and look at the potential they have as compared to the potential that guys like Urban Meyer and Mark Richt had before they became known quantities...

Personally, for those reasons, I like Gill, Petersen, Kelly, and Fisher... eventhough they are not big time names, you can see great potential; 2:54 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Can't believe I forgot to mention this the other day ...

Wholesale gasoline dropped to 92 cents per gallon. Oil now at a 4-year low.

I hate it for you, Big Oil.; 2:55 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Montgomery HOTTIES would have heard the laughter had I asked for a trip to New York City.

As you all know, I'm just glad to have a job. Charles and PMarsh will have free reign in New York ...; 2:56 PM
JD said...: I've said it once I'll say it 100 times I truly believe if Auburn were to hire Paul Johnson it would take this program back DECADES.; 2:57 PM
JD said...: Please don't tell me P Marsh went to NY to "chase" this Gill story...; 2:58 PM
Jet said...: Checkin' quickly from Texas ... I will be flying back in tomorrow ... with an addtional passenger.

BOOM!

If Turner Gill had played or coach in the SEC, maybe. Maybe.

Roman, soft of your logic is good. but Dye and Stallings had deep SEC pedigrees as coaches (Dye as a player). Tuberville had Florida ties through Miami.

The best point you offer was Meyer, but he had two head coaching jobs before coming to the SEC.

I'm happy with where I truly believe it's going, and I acknowledge others will not.

But this has BOOM all over it.; 2:58 PM
barkley for governor said...: Detroit still 0-for, in case anyone cared.; 2:59 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: He's chasing the story in general.

In a perfect world where newspapers were thriving and staffs were huge, I'd be there as well.; 2:59 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Thank you biscuit.

How can any big time player go to a school and just say, well, no NFL in my future. It would be hard to recruit AGAINST it much less to it.

I like the Gill idea. His accomplishments at Neb are for real. Young guy will recruit his tail off.

Um, I hope he has R. Garner's & S. Serael's digits.; 3:00 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: barkely - what was the final score?

I've got to knock down Minn -9; 3:02 PM
JD said...: Gill would always have mommma out there if Pelini didn't succeed at Nebraska. I would not want this job to be occupied for only 2 years.; 3:02 PM
barkley for governor said...: Detroit covered, final was 20-16.; 3:03 PM
JD said...: Chris you're right. There is a reason that traditional wing-t option offenses like Oklahoma,Nebraska, and others no longer run that type of offense.; 3:03 PM
James in Auburn said...: Chris, you didn't cover. Minny 20-16.; 3:04 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Now don't get me wrong. What Neb did in the 90's was incredible but they did it in the Big 8 and the early Big 12.

Imagine what rival recruiters would be pitching to kids at skill positions. uggggh.; 3:05 PM
JD said...: someone please explain to me why the browns are calling time outs with less than 2 mins left down 28-9 and the titans driving the ball inside the 25?; 3:06 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: No no - I needed to knock down -9.

That's good news.; 3:06 PM
James in Auburn said...: Gotcha. I'm still a bit slow this afternoon from the Eagle Rare last night that Denny talked me into.; 3:08 PM
Jet said...: Chris ... you want Searels and Garner to come back ... what candidate out there is most likely to make that happen?

Gotta be BOOM.

To make you guys happy, and in order to avoid me turning into a total BOOM stalker online, instead of hanging out in his state of residence for four days ... I must hop off here.

I will be back to check in later.

BOOM SHAKALAKA '09!!!; 3:09 PM
JD said...: I got to run...hanging Christmas lights outside...just praying to not have a Christmas Vacation experience.; 3:09 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: I think Gill would listen to those who would wisper names in his ears as far as hiring recruiters that are former AU players.

I'd hope so.; 3:11 PM
barkley for governor said...: Anyone else doing ESPN's streak for cash?

If you pick 25 games in a row you win a million bucks. Two people have gotten to 24 and both missed #25.

I'm up to 5, 20 more to go.; 3:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay, If you miss a story in NY b/c you aren't there, so what. If something happened, You could be at the AU announcement, which would take place a few hours later.

My guess is that we may have as long as a week before a decision is done.; 3:15 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: So, bammer vs Utah is what CFN.com is saying (as is most others).

P. Fiutak is quoted in his breakdown of the game as a "no win" for the Criminal tyde. He says:

"Before the season, Tide fans would've taken the Sugar Bowl in a heartbeat, but now it's a no-win game. Beat Utah, big deal. Lose to Utah, the season goes from epic to disastrous."

Agree?; 3:16 PM
Unknown said...: I don't understand the thinking that Paul Johnson would set Auburn back. I haven't seen him set any program back where he has coached. I am not sure where that kind of talk would be coming from and what it is based upon.

I am also thinking the Jays wanted Tuberville back, but CTT got sick of the rebuilding and people questioning his job security. After years of saying he would stay at Auburn, people still constantly want affirmations.

If Auburn had fired Tuberville, they would have had a top notch replacement in mind. At the moment they seem to be scrambling to find a it.; 3:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Chris-- that is exactly why I think a playoff would be great for college football and actually help instead of hurt as some crazy people say....

Bama is in a no-win situation now... but if that win would move them to a semi-final playoff game then it is huge... for Utah they have a chance and IF they won and moved on, by the time they got to a title game they would have earned respect on the field instead of eternally being viewed based on their past weakness...; 3:22 PM
Anonymous said...: A sensible Bama fan wouldn't call it disastrous...then again, other than FSJ(and maybe my brother), how many sensible Bammers are there?; 3:23 PM
James in Auburn said...: I think a bammer loss to Utah would be humorous, not disastrous.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think we all know that St. Nick has that program headed in the right direction. One loss, even to a mid-major, won't change that. Show me an Auburn person that wouldn't be happy with 12-2 after the events of this past season.

It might however set a trend for the bammers going into what will be somewhat of a rebuilding year next year.; 3:23 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Paul Johnson has coaches where?

His offense would make it impossible for AU to get the players it would take to beat the Floridas & LSU's of the worlds.

Football players win games and his offense has been put out to pasture for about 10 years.

He went 9-3 in the ACC. Great. The ACC isn't within 3 conferences of the talent level the SEC is.; 3:24 PM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: if the money was right, would pelini leave nebraska for au? he's "onlt" making 1.1 mil there and did a good job his 1st year. gill interviewed for that job, too.; 3:26 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Bammer without John Parker Bangs Wilson, Bubba Gump Caldwell and Andre Smith aren't Bammer of 2008.

Replacing the Bangs will be a chore IMO.; 3:27 PM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: should have read"only"; 3:28 PM
Unknown said...: Chris, the spread originated back in the 1950s. Should we not run it because it is so old. In a lot of ways, the offense Paul Johnson runs is very similar to the spread of West Virginia. Winning brings recruits and Paul Johnson is a winner.; 3:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Steve...Most of the top HS recruits have "visions of the pros dancing in their heads". CPJ's system works at smaller colleges(Ga.So./Navy) b/c there isn't the recruiting talent disparity due to pro aspirations. As the recruits penchant for the pros increased, Nebraska eventually couldn't attract top Qbs and Wrs. We already have this problem at AU and really don't need more of the same. Paul Johnson will win a lot of games at GT and occasionally win some shockers, but will not be able to recruit QBs and Wrs well enough to dominate. Oklahoma will.; 3:33 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: thuh ohio state university in a BCS bowl nauseates me. Either Boise or TCU are more deserving. I sure hope TX can crush them.; 3:35 PM
AUBigCat said...: FWIW Toomers corner was rolled last night.; 3:51 PM
WarEagleRK said...: "He's also the ultimate hands-off recruiter."

Jay, don't say that about Spurrier, people will say you are making that up. You don't want that.

I've amended my top 3 wish list.

1. Paul Johnson
2. Brian Kelly
3. Bobby Petrino

I'm definately not doing my Paul Johnson argument with Chris again today.; 3:52 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Funny, Nebraska really only started struggling when Callahan came in and changed the offense around from what had traditionally worked.; 3:55 PM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: tis true, rk.; 3:58 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Do it with Hoopie - he agrees with me.; 4:01 PM
McLovin said...: I would rather get Turner Gill then Brady Hoke from Ball State. I guess we will look at all the MAC coaches.; 4:01 PM
AUBigCat said...: Mclovin they're using your Gill button on al.com with one of their articles. They are giving credit to the "unknown fan" Hotties rule the world!; 4:02 PM
Monica said...: McLovin - Did you create that button?; 4:03 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Since I'm never wrong, I don't like it when I argue with others who are never wrong.; 4:04 PM
McLovin said...: No I didn't create the button. Cyque from Scout boards did. I do tinker in photshop a bit.; 4:06 PM
Monica said...: So do I, McLovin and I can appreciate what a great job Cyque did with it.; 4:07 PM
Monica said...: Did anyone else see the love from the Nebraska fan RE: Gill over on al.com?; 4:10 PM
AUBigCat said...: Well Mclovin you sure helped it get publicity i'd bet. Hotties still Rule!!; 4:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Monica-I saw that... and I thought it was pretty impressive; 4:11 PM
Monica said...: Yeah, me too LT. WOW. If that's his agent he's earning his cut. lol; 4:15 PM
WRB3 said...: I still think its a big leap from Buffalo to Auburn. If Buffalo loses badly to Ball State, does Gill still get an interview? Because Ball State gave that game away. I know Gill has done a good job at Buffalo, and had his team in position to take advantage of a horrible performance by Ball State, I'll give him credit there, but they kind of had that conference championship dropped in their lap.

I don't know who the right guy is, but I will say this. When Bama finally got tired of losing, they went out and got a guy who'd had success as a HC at Michigan State and LSU (two big time programs). Our primary candidates seem to be a HC from Buffalo, a career coordinator from FSU (a once proud team thats been on a bad slide of late), and a decent DC from Texas who although very good, has no HC experience. Not saying any of those guys wouldn't get the job done, just comparing our current search strategy to one that obviously worked well for the folks in T-town.; 4:16 PM
Denny Crum said...: How was the eagle rare? Sounds like it was so good you might have gone a glass too far.; 4:17 PM
AUBigCat said...: Gill did a lot at Nebraska. He was the QB coach when Crouch won the heisman. He was also there during 3 NCs.; 4:18 PM
Denny Crum said...: Eagle Rare, the only Bourbon any true Auburn fan should drink.; 4:19 PM
James in Auburn said...: Denny,

It was an excellent suggestion on your part. Quite possibly the best bourbon that I've had the pleasure of tasting in many years.

And yes, I did enjoy a glass or two more than I should have. Considering that I was in the company of an extremely obnoxious bammer last night, I guess I can be excused for that.; 4:21 PM
Anonymous said...: AUTiger-Very good point.... but good HCs are not always found after proven success at big programs.... I would love to see a big name candidate arise from nowhere, but right now it looks like AU will have to go the route of proven HC from smaller program or good Coord. from big program and look for the potential of finding another Meyer, Richt, Paul Johnson....; 4:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Anybody got thoughts on Chris Hatcher from GS??? Seems to be up and coming... maybe too far off... but I kind of like what he has done so far; 4:25 PM
Denny Crum said...: You know, I am trying to convince everyone that Paul Johnson would be the man. I just think the arguments used against him don't hold up. The recruiting one is the best. If that were true, then Urban shouldn't get anyone and only coaches that employ a pro-style offense will get the necessary players.; 4:27 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: So, we lose Atchison - top tier LB to Bammer.

Did I read where J. Johnson, OL has said he's still coming to AU? He's a huge get in my mind.; 4:36 PM
AUBigCat said...: Denny why would WRs and QBs want to play in Johnson's system? We'd have the same problems we did under Borges; 4:38 PM
Seanzie said...: Jay, still looking at middle of next week to have this thing nailed down, or do you think it gets dragged out to the holidays?; 4:39 PM
AUBigCat said...: Not sure about Johnson but there is an article up at Rivals. Atchinson was a big lose. Montez Robinson - big, fast DE- will most likely sign with bama or uga to.; 4:40 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Florida isn't Auburn #1. They don't offer players who are studs because they don't have room.

But, Meyer THROWS the ball.

How many times did GT throw the ball in the final game against UGA? 7 times?

That effects the recruitment of WRs and OL's. The negative recruiting against it would be impossible. He's done it at schools who didn't have the talent to compete.

The SEC would eat it alive.; 4:40 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: I thought Robinson was re-upping to AU. DE from Indiana, right?

Atchison may be reworked. He's all on emotion from Bammer vs UF last night.; 4:41 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i've tried to let the last few days settle in before i blindly established an opinion. well, i still don't know what i'm talking about but here goes...

Gill-everything i've read sounds positive. can he go toe-to-toe with Nicky? i want someone who is going to work as hard as Saban is. if he's the guy i'm all for it.

Johnson-i like watching that offense. he beat Jawga. just sayin.

Fisher-not sexy at all to me. plus his FSU buyout is insane. are we going to pay Tubs $5.1 mil then pay FSU $5 mil? it doesn't make sense to me. the only real positive to me is that he worked with Saban at LSU and knows how to man him up.; 4:44 PM
Adam and April said...: any truth to the rumor that AU is going to interview the Ball State coach?; 4:50 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Sean, I'm not sure.

I'd say we're looking at Friday at the earliest.; 4:51 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: The 5 million should make Fisher a non-factor.

I think you nailed it Scottie -- maybe the main reason CTT isn't the HC at AU anymore is the same reason he voted to keep coaches off the road during certain times.

Hard working recruiting-maniac is what we need.; 4:52 PM
Adam and April said...: I hope we don't drag this thing out too long, but I also hope we get the right guy...kind of a double-edged sword.; 4:52 PM
AUBigCat said...: AU Recruiting Recap

Robinson DE from Ind. is out and said he likely wouldnt consider AU again, only bama and uga.; 4:54 PM
Anonymous said...: I think that CPJ would win a lot of games and run a tight ship at AU that would make many fans proud. The problem at AU is that 8-9 wins isn't good enough anymore for a growing segment of the fans. Either the PTB must hire the guy to "win championships" or the fans "expectations" must change.

So.....the PTB must hire a "blueblood" as Jay mentioned previously or an "up and comer" with enough promise to be attactive to recruits.

Somebody name some attainable bluebloods. How about Bill Cowher?; 4:58 PM
Adam and April said...: I'm just not that high on CPJ...I know he ran all over UGA, but I don't think he's the man for AU.; 5:00 PM
Romberry said...: I don't understand the thinking that Paul Johnson would set Auburn back.

Me either. Paul Johnson and his spread triple option attack are actually my first choice for coach at AU.

I think that option football is as good an offense as has yet been conceived. It requires defenses to play with absolute discipline, and it slap wears 'em down as the game goes on. Back in the 90's, Army came within an eyelash of beating teams vastly superior in terms of talent from both Alabama and AU when they had a shot in bowl games. Option football is the great equalizer when you have inferior talent, and is nigh on unstoppable (with rare exception) when you have talent that is equal or superior to the competition.

Paul Johnson has coaches where? His offense would make it impossible for AU to get the players it would take to beat the Floridas & LSU's of the worlds.

His offense just beat Georgia. It came within a fraction of beating Va Tech in his first year of teaching/implementing it at Ga Tech. A great many high schools still run option schemes...because it wins. What I am saying is that I don't believe your opinion is supportable.

Option football may not be "fashionable" these days, but it certainly does NOT make it impossible to get players who can beat the Florida's and LSU's of this world. If anything, it makes it easier to get player since you aren't competing with teams running the offense du jour for the limited amount of extraordinary talent that it takes to make pro and spread schemes truly successful at the elite level.; 5:00 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: And winning doesn't always mean recruits will line up to come.

Look at Auburn since 2004. Good years but hard work and NFL dreams recruit players that have skill enough to win the SEC.

Auburn's goal each and every year.; 5:01 PM
Unknown said...: Good evening all. Haven't posted in a while, sorry bout that. As for my take on the HC... I want someone who 18 year old kids have heard of... The reason I say this is that when they are recruited, they like meeting a "famous" coach, so to speak, and their egos like it when one of those well-known coaches are after them, like a nerd trying to get the head cheerleader to say yes to prom. The kids I coach, when they get into HS, come back to my school and say they want to play for those coaches who are always on ESPN and who have a pattern of getting players into the league. who is that? not my job to say/decide, but I do like the possibility of a former NFL coach, or the like. Just look at the rock-star style arrival Satan git at T-town, just when his plane landed. We need something similar to that to jump start us and for AU not to be second-fiddle in the state. Just my opinion, I could be naive and dead wrong.; 5:05 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: If winning the SEC is too high of expectations I'm lost.

Seriously.

There is no way a player who plays a skill position wants to run the "spread option".

the NFL want backs who can catch the abll and linemen who can pass block. HS players all think the NFL is possible with the right coaching & work.; 5:05 PM
Unknown said...: sorry, "got"; 5:07 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Roman, he got close to beating VT but put up 7 points to UNC & lost 28-7.

Question: If its so great, why did Pat Dye move away from it in the 80's?; 5:09 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: bear -- you coach HS ball?

And you say kids want to get in the NFL?; 5:10 PM
Denny Crum said...: Pat went from the veer wishbone to the veer I formation.; 5:11 PM
FSJ said...: Guys,

Two things...First, Auburn should expect to win SEC Championships. They are one of three teams in the west that should have a legitimate shot each year.

Secondly, I don't buy the arguments against Paul Johnson at all. The man is a winner....; 5:12 PM
Anonymous said...: To get a blue-blood we're gonna have to pay whore-coach prices. According to JJ....money ain't no object.

No boundaries--here goes:

1. Offer $aban $7mil/yr. The Bammers will match it and it will be fun to watch.

2. Offer Spurrier $5 mil/yr. This might work. I just hope Spurrier still has the necessary fire.

3. Stoops, Carroll, Tressel- $10 mil/yr. Any would be nuts to take it.

4. John Gruden-$6mil/yr. Something tells me he can make it in CFB.

5. Belichik--$Unlimited$

Ok that's enough.; 5:14 PM
Unknown said...: CII - I have coached HS in the past, now middle school, but most of my players come by practice/games and we chat it up about their futures. The good, talented kids, yeah, they have a goal to go pro. Take Pat White. I helped coach him while he was at Daphne, and he had the skills. WVU told him he could play QB while other SEC schools said he would be an athlete. also, a LOT of these kids get "pushing" from momma for them to go pro.... so kids want to go to a big name program with an established success pattern. In my opinion.; 5:14 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: And completely dropped the option.

Jeff Burger didn't run much option.

And a Bammer wants AU to get Johnson. enuff said.; 5:15 PM
ADP said...: For whatever reason, Gil feels right to me. It's just a Zen thing.

As far as those who think he might not draw recruits? Ummm ... I'm trying to figure out how to say this ... Are you blind? A young African-American coach with a media buzz, industry respect, and a whole lot of energy. Yeah, I'm sure most recruits would shun him. C'mon dude.; 5:24 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: JayGT,
I know I've seen that antiquarian map image somewhere and it's driving me nuts trying to find it. You're messing with me feeble little brain.; 5:26 PM
Adam and April said...: from everything I've heard and read Gill is an outstanding recruiter. i don't care that he's not connected with the South, a great recruiter can make those connections quickly.; 5:26 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: I agree Phred. Gill would be a windfall in the recruiting area.

We're discussing Paul Johnson.

His team this year was 3rd nationally in rushing and 117th in passing.

http://cfbstats.com/2008/national/index.html; 5:26 PM
Adam and April said...: If i read JG correctly, Johnson is a hands-off recruiter, why in the world would we want someone like that?; 5:28 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: ft, I thought he was referring to Spurrier.; 5:29 PM
Anonymous said...: I think that CPJ would produce a program at AU similar to what CTT did. Discipline, quality student-athletes, 8-9 wins/yr and a championship every now and then. That is good enuff for me, but it doesn't seem to be good enuff for the PTB and the "expector" segment of AU fans.

CPJ is not a blueblood or and up and comer. If AU can't get a blueblood, then I say risk trying to find an up and comer.

The blueblood can battle $aban now. CPJ or an up and comer can't.; 5:30 PM
Adam and April said...: yeah, i see that now chris, thanks.; 5:33 PM
Romberry said...: he got close to beating VT but put up 7 points to UNC & lost 28-7.

I'm not sure what your point is supposed to be. Ga Tech was/is in the very first year of implementing the spread option. They slap ran it up and down the field against UNC but fumbled 4 times, losing 2. (Don't blame the option.) The score was a bit misleading.

Tech has a team this year that was built by Chan Gailey, not Paul Johnson. Even so, they went 9-3 (think AU would have liked to have been 9-3?), destroyed Miami and prevailed in Athens after going toe to toe with Stafford/Moreno/Green/UGA.

I try to base my opinions on something...substantial. Option football is not a fad, is not a gimic, is a proven system and works. It may be out of style, but you know what they say about style: Wait long enough and it will come 'round again.

My wish list for AU is Paul Johnson (a proven coach at every stop) first, followed by Turner Gill. All the fad followers? I could care less.

I have no input at all with anyone who matters when it comes to the AU coaching search. All I can do is post my opinion. No one is required to agree. :); 5:36 PM
ADP said...: I absolutely cannot believe that Jimbo has a $5,000,000 buyout. Man, he's not that good. If you are old enough to remember his days here, then try to. See? Not even worth it. That's crazy. No thanks.; 5:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Phred, I read Gill's bio on Al.com and started imagining championships in 4-5 years. The guy is a winner. IMO, if this coach search reaches the point of starting over....he's the one to gamble on.; 5:37 PM
Denny Crum said...: I am still holding on to my belief that Auburn is a destination not a stop on a journey. I believe it that good of a job.; 5:39 PM
ADP said...: I'm with you Hoop. I think he's a winner. If I'm AD, which I'm not but think I could probably do as good as Jay Jay, I don't care who you are or where you come from ... as long as you are a winner. Be a winner. Period. I think Gill is one.

I had this dream last night with Gill, Rocker, Garner, Searles, etc. Man, it was flat awesome.; 5:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Roman..If AU is going after CPJ, they had better hurry. GT is meeting with him early next week for a salary review.; 5:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Denny--AU is absolutely a destination. We've been discussing these other coach choices because we can't seem to come up with blueblood names that are attainable. Unless I'm missing something, it's a bad year to need a coach.; 5:45 PM
FSJ said...: Actually, Chris an careful reading of my posts on Paul Johnson would show that I want Auburn to get anyone but Paul Johnson or Butch Davis.; 5:45 PM
FSJ said...: a careful reading would do the trick too...We really need an edit feature.; 5:46 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Hey Guys,
Got something for view pleasure...TC got rolled last night afer SECCG lost by UAT., hahahaha and now bammers are upset...
see it for yourselves

http://www.auburnalabama.org/cams/Toomers/default.asp

WDE!!!; 5:47 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Marquis Johnson - Bammer DB had a rough game last night.

This Bammer thinks he should be stripped of his scholly.

http://memphistider.blogspot.com/2008/12/here-we-go.html

Now that's class. I love the exscuses as to why Bammer lost then says we got beat by a better team.

ROETYDE; 5:48 PM
AUBigCat said...: I drove past Toomers Corner this morning and bust out laughing!; 5:49 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5:52 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: AU would never roll Toomers in celebration of a UA-T loss. I'm sure it was for the big Bball win over UL-M ;-); 5:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Everyone knew that UF would throw at Johnson. He has been the weak corner all season. Johnson actually made some good plays early. UF just kept coming at him.

Wonder if the Bammer ever considered that since this guy has started most of the season, this is their second best CB?; 5:54 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: Did you guys see where FSU has to pay Fisher 2.5 million if he isn't the coach by 2009?

Is Sexton his lawyer as well?; 5:54 PM
Monica said...: Tar - I think I just saw Mrs. Tar admiring her work at TC.; 5:55 PM
Monica said...: Chris - That's why I've been wanting to see Muschamp's contract. I want to know what stipulations there are relative to the year he becomes HC.; 5:57 PM
Anonymous said...: $5mil to CTT, $5mil Fisher Buyout, $4Mil first year salary for Fisher= $14mil. YIKES!!!; 5:59 PM
Beth said...: Thoughts on Turner Gill... Mr. has thought he was the guy for a while now, so I have been doing my research. I think that you could easily compare Kodi Burns right now to Turner Gill as a QB at Nebraska MINUS the developed arm and coaching. I think that Gill has the chance to turn Kdoi into the QB we need to turn this program around.; 5:59 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: I had forgot about that clause in Fisher's.

Muschy should have one if he don't.; 6:00 PM
Anonymous said...: G'nite Hotties. Wifey controls the social calendar and she says it's time to go.; 6:02 PM
Chris in Inverness said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6:07 PM
Beth said...: "If they have effort, we can coach them up on the rest.” Turner Gill quote

I am ready for him to try at AU, will this happen JGT?; 6:07 PM
AUBigCat said...: Have you guys seen the youtube vids for Turner Gill? He's my #1 choice for AU too but dang!!

Turner Gill-The Next AU Coach; 6:10 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Mon-
Yes, I can definitely picture Mrs Tar rolling Toomers. She claims to have a stronger hate of bama than me. Her "logic"? she hasn't known bama as long as me, so she has to hate more to catch up.; 6:11 PM
Unknown said...: On a completely different topic.. We all know how God-awfully boring some of the bowl games can be, but what if we had some competition, along with a bit of cash at stake? I have set up a group on Yahoo Fantasy Sports for their college Bowl Pick'em. I have done this in the past where you rank the games in order of importance to you, and choose winners. that way,things like the Poinsettia Bowl are watchable, since you must root for a team. It is a private group, named HABOTN group id # 21568 password= jaygtate If people are interested in each putting $10 on the line, then we could most likely pay out the top 2 or 3 people. It definately gives a better reason to watch the bowl games...; 6:13 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: if I gamble, I lose. GUARANTEED. So I don't gamble; 6:18 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: BCS website is aleady selling t-shirts featuring a Florida/Oklahoma matchup. They try to build up the suspense to this 8:00et show to get veiwers to tune in, and can't even do that right. Way to be a competent organization, BCS!; 6:23 PM
JD said...: I am sorry that I just completely want to smash my head against the wall when I hear anyone who wants hire Paul Johnson to replace Tommy Tuberville. I made the statement that hiring Johnson would set the program back decades and I will stand by it. Johnson's offense call it the spread that WVU runs or call it what it is a variation of the Deleware Wing-T that was very popular in the way back when. The guy has won and I will give him that. However look at the programs that he has won at and I do not believe that they could coorelate to the SEC. Navy a DII NC at Georgia Southern. The recurits that Auburn is going after want to use the program to elevate their professional status. Paul Johnson's offense will not do that! This hire would be devistating to Auburn.; 6:27 PM
Unknown said...: PF - does that really surprise ya? really? letting Ohio St. in the last 2 years when they play in a division II conference told you the BCS was a joke; 6:27 PM
JD said...: By the way. I got my Griswold Family Christmas off to a great start...the lights are hung and shining bright. NO FIRES YET!; 6:30 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Update on the front ...

"Since it's Coaching Search Time, I'm keeping a closer eye on the Auburn planes. Don Dunn flew over to Greenville, Miss., today to meet with tailback LaDarius Perkins. No word if Turner Gill was involved."; 6:35 PM
JD said...: Anyone else catch win of the latest official interview...Ball State coach, Brady Hoke...oh gosh at this point maybe I need to rething the whole Paul Johnson hire...Thought about it still think it would be an aweful hire!; 6:37 PM
JD said...: Jay does Auburn have their planes blocked from flight aware? I havent seen them the past few days.; 6:40 PM
FSJ said...: Biscuit...

Christmas Vacation: Best Christmas Movie of all time.; 6:40 PM
JD said...: Correct FSJ, you truly are a gentleman and a scholar.; 6:42 PM
Unknown said...: FSJ- along with Vegas Vacation... never forget that one. Fletch was also great. Poor Chevy Chase. named after a city in Maryland and his career was made by 2 characters.... Irwin R. Fletcher & Clark W. Griswald; 6:43 PM
JD said...: Fletch is up there for me as well; 6:45 PM
McBain said...: Jay G., do you believe that Turner Gill is a legitimate candidate and is being seriously considered? Or in your opinion, is he one of probably several smoke screens so AU can at least appear to be going through the interview process?; 6:49 PM
JD said...: McBain if Auburn is giving Gill a token interview or simply using him, they are either very dumb or way smarter that I could ever comprehend.; 6:57 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Smoke.; 6:57 PM
WarEagleRK said...: "Did you guys see where FSU has to pay Fisher 2.5 million if he isn't the coach by 2009? "

I thought it was 2011? That's what I read.

Also, I can't believe there is an argument that Pat Dye went away from the option after the 1985 season and how it shows that it will not work 23 years later.

If it's coached and excecuted well, it'll work in any era.

Pat Washington was the main reason the option wasn't that successful in 1984 & 1985. He didn't scare anyone with the pass at all.; 6:57 PM
JD said...: Smoke---fire?; 7:01 PM
michael said...: earth wind and fire?; 7:03 PM
michael said...: gill cried, too; 7:03 PM
Denny Crum said...: smoke screen; 7:05 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: brian kelly is obviously not interested; 7:07 PM
James in Auburn said...: Brian Kelly just said on the BCS show that "Cincinnati is no longer a stepping stone".

Interesting quote.; 7:07 PM
McLovin said...: I do think the Ball State Coach has been contacted.; 7:09 PM
JD said...: I know I need some fire this smoke isn't hot enough for me.; 7:12 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Florida vs Oklahoma. Should be a great game.; 7:15 PM
Unknown said...: Fl - ok.. bet the over; 7:21 PM
McLovin said...: Why is there not any talk about Kevin Wilson OC from Oklahoma?; 7:23 PM
dnatl said...: I just realized there are 36 bowls, so 72 teams are going to bowls, including the entire ACC except Duke and UVA? Good grief; 7:30 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: which means Auburn is one of only 47 not bowling; 7:31 PM
McLovin said...: So since Texas didn't make it now Boom can talk right........; 7:33 PM