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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:

tigerfan44 said...: Ok we all know we need a recruiter that doesn't have a watch. We need a coach that can get kids to the pro's.
Both of these facts rule out Johnson. Gill personally don't know.
Muschamp knows what it takes on both accounts. Hope he is Auburn's choice. Unless Davis is just flying under radar. I am not hard to please.; 7:33 PM
Unknown said...: TarHeelTiger, that means we are a member of an elite group.; 7:33 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: Go Sooners.; 7:34 PM
FSJ said...: 200; 7:34 PM
FSJ said...: dangit; 7:34 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: it's my understanding that ncaa can't stop someone from starting up a bowl game, but can establish criteria (i.e. minimum 6 wins, or 7 if 13 games) for schools to go to a bowl.; 7:34 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I'd love for some serious parity next year with maybe 60 teams qualifying. what would all those lower tier bowls do?; 7:35 PM
Unknown said...: Muschamp might be the choice, but I still hope Auburn can find a top notch coach. As I say, it has become apparent that Auburn wasn't wanting to get rid of CTT, at least not after this season, because there isn't a rock star coaching choice available. In a sense, I think CTT screwed us by leaving us in this position.; 7:36 PM
Unknown said...: TarHeelTiger, I think that is part of the reason that teams are occasionally allowed to use a lower level team to count toward bowl elligibility. If not, there wouldn't be enough bowl elligible teams.; 7:38 PM
FSJ said...: Alabama vs. Utah?

I don't remember who posted this earlier, but they were correct.

Alabama is in a no win situation there.; 7:40 PM
barkley for governor said...: Go Utes!; 7:41 PM
Unknown said...: Unfortunately Alabama was in a poor position in terms of the bowls. I had read where Bama would either get Ohio State or Utah. Beating either will not give Bama a convincing argument to be one of the national champs this season.

I had hoped Bama would have gotten Ohio State, just because of the beat down the Big 10 entertainment value. It would have been good.

Now Bama is in a similar situation to what Georgia was in last year with Hawaii. Georgia beating the ever loving snot our of Hawaii was more about how Hawaii wasn't good enough, rather than how good Georgia was. That game may have had a bit to do with Georgia being picked number 1 the following season, but I doubt it. Beating Hawaii wasn't considered impressive.; 7:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Steve..I don't see it that CTT screwed AU. I don't blame him at all. Some of the PTB have always been after him. Add the growing number of AU naysayer fans to that and it becomes tuff for him to hire an OC and recruit. The AU dysfunctional relationships are to blame.; 7:49 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I never thought I would wish 0-2 upon the great SEC in BCS bowls, but I do. Utes Utes Utes!; 7:50 PM
Unknown said...: Texas Tech versus Ole Miss in the cotton bowl will be very interesting. Seeing how Leach's offense will do against an SEC defense should be entertaining.; 7:51 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: it's 11 degrees in Buffalo right now.; 7:56 PM
patdyeswildturkey said...: I have been gone for 7 hours and nothing new,

Jay,

I just have a bad feeling whoever gets hired wont be a 10 year guy like Tubbs has been, which is rare, what do you think.

Fact: With Tubbs and Fulmer gone, Mark Richt is the longest tenured coach, with less than 7 years,; 7:56 PM
Unknown said...: Hoopie, I don't really blame Tuberville. He had continuously re-affirmed his commitment to Auburn, only to have to justify his existence every year. All the ridiculous statements about him going on a hunting trip just added to it. For some reason everyone feels like we should have so some in what he did on his days off. It just became a joke. It really doesn't surprise me that Tuberville just got tired of repeatedly justifying himself and gave Auburn the finger.

Currently it looks like it will be at least a decade before the program returns to the level it was with Tuberville. If you look at the coaches in the SEC West, where would the candidates we have been discussing rank? In my opinion, no better than 5th, which appears to be where this program will be for a while.; 7:56 PM
Monica said...: lol @ Barkley; 7:56 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Ole Miss vs TT
Ok St vs Oregon
Boise vs TCU
hope they live up to my expectations
then there's Hawaii vs ND; 7:58 PM
patdyeswildturkey said...: Steve I agree, we the fans can go to games, purchase items, cheer and write emails, but in todays world men who write 5 million dollar checks rule the world. Tubbs loved Auburn and its people, but 5% of the group and the PTB were too much for him to deal with, I can understand.; 7:59 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Guess who'll be wearing his red Utes sweatpants during the Sugar Bowl?
Go UTES!; 7:59 PM
barkley for governor said...: A DECADE??????

Please tell me what gives you reason to believe that.; 8:00 PM
Unknown said...: mon- saw about the BANHAMMER. sorry i was not there for ya last pm, but sounds like you took care of it... hope u didn't get detention or suspended by our principal; 8:04 PM
patdyeswildturkey said...: Former Auburn players who are assistant coaches:

1. Dameyune Craig- USA
2. Kurt Crain-USA
3. Tracy Rocker-Ole Miss?
4. Shanye Wadsen-Troy
5. Larry Blakeny-Troy
6. Pat Nix-Miami
7. Pat Washington-Tenn.-(was)
8. Rodney Garner-UGA
9. Pat Sullivan-Samford
10. ?????

add to the list...; 8:05 PM
James in Auburn said...: Sullivan is a HC, not an assistant Pat.; 8:06 PM
patdyeswildturkey said...: sorry i meant coaches in general...; 8:08 PM
Monica said...: Hey Bear - Thanks. I turned in my banhammer, resigned and took my $5.1 million buyout. So, it's all good. ;-); 8:09 PM
FSJ said...: what do I have to do to get one of these $5.1 million banhammer resignations?; 8:11 PM
Monica said...: lol I could tell ya, but...; 8:12 PM
Unknown said...: OK. I hope we hear something certain this week,for Mr. Tate's sake.; 8:13 PM
Quitstina said...: Jimmy Sexton has prohibited his client (Monica) from talking to the press ;-); 8:14 PM
patdyeswildturkey said...: What will Ms. Ensminger do?; 8:14 PM
Unknown said...: I saw where C. Goldberg is at the NY Waldorf-Austoria covering festivities. Wow, advertising in the BHam news must be going well...; 8:14 PM
Quitstina said...: We need to start a pool as to how long this is gonna drag out...; 8:15 PM
AUant said...: ESPN just reported Ball State's coach will be interviewed as well.; 8:16 PM
FSJ said...: Hmmmmm

I'm feeling next Monday.; 8:19 PM
James in Auburn said...: I think Wikipedia is getting ahead of itself. Check out the entry:

Brady Hoke

For those that don't want to link:

"Brady Hoke is expected to be named the new head football coach at [Auburn University]"

Now sense Wiki is editable by anyone, I think someone is just having fun here.; 8:20 PM
Monica said...: I say by the end of business this Friday.; 8:21 PM
Quitstina said...: The day after we lost to Vandy, the Auburn wiki page said:

Auburn University (SUCKS) was established...; 8:22 PM
barkley for governor said...: I sure hope Brady Hoke isn't the new coach at Auburn.

I never got a response about why it will be a decade before Auburn is back.; 8:22 PM
James in Auburn said...: That should be *since...; 8:23 PM
Kris said...: Anybody know where Tressell was hired from? I never heard of him before Ohio State.; 8:23 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: PatDye-

Stacy Searles-OL Georgia
Tracy Rocker-DL- Ole Miss
Joe Whitt Jr- Defense Coach- Packers; 8:24 PM
AUant said...: Youngstown State???; 8:26 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Yesterday, I really thought Turner Gill was going to be the coach. Today, I feel like it's going to be Muschamp. I think all these interviews will be smokescreen. I don't like that, but hey, i'm not the one doing the search.; 8:26 PM
Monica said...: Kris - Tressel went from Youngstown State (DivIAA) to Ohio State.

Yep.; 8:26 PM
FSJ said...: I still maintain that it's strange that there is not more talk about Butch Davis.

A few months ago Jay said Auburn was prepared to spend mega bucks should a change be made.

Davis is Saban money. Look at his recruiting at UNC.; 8:28 PM
KJtiger said...: none of these coaches have a connection to the south. We can not afford to build relationships in recruiting for three years. If we do that then none of these guys will be around. Every coach we have hired has spent the majority of there coaching tenure in the south. Gill, hoke and kelly do not fit the mold.; 8:31 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: yea, it was a bammer who messed up Brady Hoke's wiki entry. It's been fixed, possibly by another bammer fan judging by the history; 8:36 PM
Kris said...: Thanks Mon. I actually wasn't being rhetorical, just didn't know. I know we aint exactly Ohio State, but at the very least it reiterates the argument that one doesn't necessarily need to hail from a big time program to turn one around.; 8:37 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Praise the Lord we arent thuh ohio state university. That would be disgusting; 8:38 PM
Kris said...: True KJ, but how many NC's have those "southern" coaches produced? How many SEC championships?; 8:39 PM
FSJ said...: LOL TarHeel...

Bama grammar is goodern Auburn grammar..

Don't u know that?; 8:41 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: It took Hoke 6 years to turn around a bad program (assuming this year is not a fluke). It took Gill 3 years to turn around the worst program. I seriously hope we aren't interviewing Hoke.
FSJ- still not a peep from local media on Davis.; 8:42 PM
KJtiger said...: Thank for respose. I know Im not an OG hottie but like to post here when I can. Im not saying you have to be "southern" but I think having ties to the south helps. Having been to some of the high schools and having some previous relationships.; 8:44 PM
Quitstina said...: You were talking about from a recruiting standpoint, right KJ? I thought you made a good point.; 8:48 PM
FSJ said...: He is correct.

Recruiting ties in the south help.; 8:49 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: 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.; 8:51 PM
FSJ said...: okie dokie then.; 8:52 PM
Quitstina said...: I think I heard that was gonna happen Jay.; 8:52 PM
FSJ said...: I hope when I get kicked to the curb, I can get a COO position...

Obviously if the $5.1 million buyout isn't available.; 8:53 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: good for Coach Nall. godspeed good sir.; 8:57 PM
Adam and April said...: what is Southern AG Carriers?; 9:04 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Trucking?; 9:07 PM
Adam and April said...: Thanks...well good for Coach Nall, or should I say Mr. Nall?; 9:07 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: double you double you double you dot google dot com

Southern AG; 9:11 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: they haul melons
http://www.sou-ag.com/; 9:11 PM
Adam and April said...: How do you become qualified for something like that out of coaching?; 9:12 PM
Unknown said...: What is the criteria for being a successful coach at Auburn. I have read where people felt 8 wins a year wasn't good enough, but then we seem to be going after coaches that have rarely or never won more than 8 games, and that isn't against SEC competition.

I am wondering if Auburn could re-think and put together a major offer for a proven coach such as Spurrier of Davis. I can see some of the names being mentioned working out good over the long haul, but it is hard to imagine them competing for the SEC West title against the level of coaching that is now present in the west.; 9:16 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: they started as Nutt transporters. A sign?; 9:16 PM
Monica said...: Tar - It's nice to see someone else here who shares my disdain for THUH ohio state university.; 9:18 PM
tigerfan44 said...: He might be part owner now you never know. Just odd to go from coaching to trucking.; 9:18 PM
Adam and April said...: JG, where did Rhoads go, and was he own his way out even if Tubs stayed?

there were some comments made by Jacobs that made it sound like Rhoads may have been gone no matter what.; 9:21 PM
Unknown said...: It sounds like Nall is taking a managerial position, which goes right along with coaching. The people skills are likely what the place is looking at.; 9:21 PM
Unknown said...: I don't think Rhoades has taken another position yet, which is why they need to hurry and get us a new HC. We have already lost Nall and the list will grow quickly.; 9:24 PM
Bfoster18 said...: What??? That's my home stomping grounds. What took Nall there?; 9:25 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Eddie,

Wasn't Joe Witt Jr. a player during the Bowden/Tubs years and not the Pat Dye years or am I way off on this?; 9:25 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Steve we didn't "lose" Nall. He likely wasn't going to be brought in by a new HC anyway. Maybe the same for Rhodes.

I don't think Rhodes is that big of a loss either way.; 9:26 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I think Joe Jr straddled tater tots last year or so and Tubs early years; 9:30 PM
Monica said...: COO @ Southern Ag = lil, itty, bitty bit of management and a whole lotta lunches, hand shaking, telling stories about the ole coaching days which = more customers for Southern Ag.

That's how you go from coaching to COO.; 9:30 PM
Unknown said...: RK, the loss of coaches matters a lot in different ways. Rhoads is a very good defensive coordinator, but hasn't had the time to develop the long term recruiting ties, so he is likely more replaceable, although it will be hard to find another one of the top defensive coordinators in the country.

As for Nall, he is a top notch offensive line coach, although I consider that more replaceable. But we also lose a lot of recruiting relationships with him.

Each coach that leaves is a big loss in their own way. With some of the coaches, the loss is more related to recruiting than coaching, and some, like Nall, it is related to both. Granted Nall will be easier to replace that Rhoads.; 9:31 PM
JD said...: well Albany is in my sales territory...it may be an interesting sales call next time I am over there...; 9:33 PM
Unknown said...: RK, what have you heard about the new head coach and what he intends to do with the current staff? I hadn't heard a thing. Is this assuming Gill gets the job?; 9:33 PM
JD said...: Steve, I personally do not think that the current staff would have stayed around to work with Gill...; 9:36 PM
Unknown said...: I seriously doubt any incoming coach would keep the entire staff. If I were Jacobs, the obvious response would be, hey, I brought you in here to change things and it looks like you are going with the same old thing.

I would expect a new HC with little experience, such as Gill, to try and pick and choose with the existing staff to provide some continuity. Rhoades, Willis, and Gran are the three I would look at keeping if I were an incoming coach.

If it was a rock star coach, likely the entire staff would be replaced, but the level of coach we get will affect who he is able to attract in terms of coaching staff. This has been a very successful staff, so I don't really see a new inexperienced coach throwing themselves to the wolves by just dumping everyone.; 9:41 PM
JD said...: I am getting a little tired of this Turner Gill talk. It has taken over the other boards.; 9:42 PM
Quitstina said...: Don't most new head coaches clean house?

Hey JD! Good to see you today!; 9:42 PM
FSJ said...: Like a French Maid Kristina; 9:44 PM
JD said...: Steve, the staff is staying for some reason. Either they know the person AU wants as the successor and have worked with him in the past and believe that there is a chance they will be retained OR the person that they see AU wanting to hire is such a BIG name that they want to work the interm time simply for a chance that they be retained by the incoming coach. I can not see anyother reason these guys stay in place. They're getting paid the same whether they work or not.; 9:45 PM
JD said...: Great seeing you as well Zoo Keeper.; 9:45 PM
Quitstina said...: I agree JD.

FSJ...no comment; 9:46 PM
Unknown said...: JD, I don't really like Turner Gill as a first choice. I would think they would be going after a big name coach first, which is entirely possible. If they are going to drop the big bucks to get a top notch coach, they won't want to get turned down like Bama did by Rich Rod.

If is likely that a top notch coach would cost much more than what Tuberville was making. My guess is it would take over $4 Million/Year to do that. It could be in the works, but if you are Auburn, you don't want to offer someone $4.5 Million a year to coach and get turned down.; 9:46 PM
Unknown said...: Loosing Nall isn't nearly as big as loosing Rhoads. Nall comes with baggage. Many fans have a negative opinion of him.

Willis would likely be the easiest guy to keep. Rhoads would likely be the best coach to keep.; 9:49 PM
Denny Crum said...: There are some that might say that Hugh Nall has been out for a while. But not me. I think we was working hard, don't think he was wanting to learn new tricks though; 9:51 PM
JD said...: Okay Steve, you and I are on the same page about the behind the scenes things going on. However, I will say that I believe that many of the powers want Boom and he won't make more that Tubs was making. If they hire a Davis or Spurrier I expect they will then pay the number you were talking.

I'm not a personal fan of Willis, so I dont care if he stays or goes. I think that Knox could serve some purpose on the recruiting front. I also would like to see Rhodes take an opportunity on the HC front or somewhere other than Auburn.; 9:53 PM
Denny Crum said...: What began as an idea in early 1990became a reality in December of that same year when Henry H. Griffin, Owner/CEO, of SouthernAG Carriers, Inc. put together the purchase of a small private fleet of tractors and 10 dry van trailers serving customers in the peanut processing industry in GA, AL & NC. Since that cool day in December of 1990, SouthernAG Carriers, Inc. has grown to operate a fleet of 250 company owned tractors and over 1000 trailers serving a wide array of customers across 28 states.; 9:54 PM
Unknown said...: Denny, you make a good point. I don't know if Nall bought into what Franklin was selling. I think a new head coach is much more likely to keep defensive staff. Something was horribly wrong with this offensive staff and I don't think blaming everything on Franklin or Tuberville is justified. The position coaches had to have played their part in the show.; 9:54 PM
JD said...: DC as an industry insider I will say that Southern AG has the reputation within the industry where I would expect a guy like Nall to go and work. Take that how you will.; 9:55 PM
FSJ said...: LOL Biscuit; 9:55 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: JD,
the assistants haven't been fired, yet, as far as I know. Don't they have to keep working while they are employed? Otherwise they could be let go for cause and not get the remainder due them under their contract.
I'm making this up as I go; I really don't know.; 9:56 PM
JD said...: How is Nall ever supposed to teach the chop technique to truck drivers...; 9:57 PM
JD said...: No I was pretty sure that Jacobs said the would all be paid for the remainder of their contracts and be free to come or go as they pleased to.; 9:58 PM
Unknown said...: TarHeelTiger, in this situation the coaches are usually given the option to keep working. Requiring them to keep working is not in the best interest of Auburn because a disgruntled coach would hurt more than help the football program. In this case it can be more beneficial to Auburn to pay a guy not to work if his heart isn't in it.; 9:59 PM
Adam and April said...: Nall to employees, "Guys, one of you needs to distract the driver at the front of the truck, while another of you dismantles the rear axle."; 10:00 PM
Unknown said...: I have also been in the layoff situation before and got paid 3 months of salary to not work. When it is in the best interest of the employer, it happens.; 10:00 PM
Adam and April said...: Nall to employees concerning the competition, "Guys, one of you needs to distract the driver at the front of the truck, while another of you dismantles the rear axle."; 10:01 PM
Adam and April said...: sorry bout the double post.; 10:01 PM
JD said...: it is in the best interest of the company to pay steve FC not to work rather than to pay him to work?; 10:01 PM
Unknown said...: Yes, when the project isn't there but they don't want me working for a competitor.; 10:04 PM
Aubie said...: Hugh Nall COO of Souther AG Carriers? His first actions were to hire Greg Knox as VP of Sales, Eddie Gran as VP of Marketing, and Steve Ensminger as Assistant to the Regional Manager, replacing Dwight Schrute.; 10:05 PM
Adam and April said...: nice one aubie.; 10:06 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Steve,

Anytime a new HC comes it, almost none of the previous coaches staff is retained. Especially if it's someone leaving another school where they were the HC. They bring in their own staff.

I think Tub only kept Joe Witt from Bowden's staff when he came over.

That's why I'm saying Nall and Rhodes not recruiting isn't that big of a deal, because they probably don't have jobs waiting for them anyway.; 10:11 PM
FSJ said...: Biscuit:

At one time I gave leadership training seminars for my company. I was based out of Nashville at the time. They would fly me out of town to do a seminar and bring someone else in to Nashville to do a seminar.

Doesn't make sense. I spent two months straight in New Orleans in a situation like this in 2001.

Room rates were $200 a night at the Wyndham on Canal Street because it was in the middle of the Mardi Gras season.

Companies do some stupid stuff.; 10:12 PM
JD said...: Oh Steve I truly understand. My company has expanded my territory instead of hiring someone to replace the territory that butted right up to mine. So now they are paying $150/night hotel bills for 2-4 days per week plus $25 dinners for me just to cover that guys other area. They gave me a raise as well. I can't imagine (to steal a jacobism) this is being good stewards of the stockholder's money.; 10:17 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Did everyone see Paul Johnson's comment on the Auburn job today?

"I don't have any comment on it, I don't like to talk about that stuff. I'm too busy recruiting for Georgia Tech. We're just trying to get ready for this bowl game."; 10:19 PM
JD said...: WERK, he's just trying to get a bump in salary from GT. Their AD was on that call as well. I can't imagine that the city of Atlanta is happy at all that GT will be playing in the Chic-fil-a bowl.; 10:21 PM
Unknown said...: RK, that is interesting. It seems that Johnson left the door open.; 10:23 PM
JD said...: Well I think I am going to have to sissy out and go to bed. G'night all!; 10:27 PM
Unknown said...: Goodnight JD; 10:29 PM
Romberry said...: So...Nall, the "unbelievably great offensive line coach that everyone wants"...is out of coaching all together. Go figure.

People I respect who were one time (but are no longer) members of the coaching profession at various levels have been critical of Nall for years. AU's offensive lines under Nall have consistently underperformed and thats just a fact. I wish him the best...but I'm glad he's gone.

The Paul Johnson comments on the AU search and the possibility he has been contacted and may be interested (""I don't have any comment on it, I don't like to talk about that stuff.") give me some hope. I'd love to see him bring his spread option to AU. And if not Johnson, bring on Turner Gill!; 10:38 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Hugh Nall is an excellent coach. This season may have soured his passion for coaching football.

I can't get any confirmation on the Brad Hoke thing. As such, I am not writing about it ... yet.; 10:54 PM
FSJ said...: 323; 11:15 PM
Unknown said...: Roman, I am unsure of why all the criticism of Nall. He is well respected in coaching circles and a big part of why a large number of Auburn runningbacks and offensive linemen made it to the NFL.

As for why he left coaching, it is probably similar to why Wayne Hall left. It is a very difficult job with extremely long hours. To start all over again isn't likely what he was looking for.

I don't understand the trashing of a former coach, and especially a former coach that has contributed so much to Auburn. It doesn't sound like something the Auburn family would do.; 11:28 PM
ADP said...: I hope you are wrong Jay G. I hope it's not smoke. It's crazy I know, but the more I check up on CTG, the more I am jumping on his train with both feet. He's the real deal. I find him very, very impressive as a man and a coach.; 11:51 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: is this thing over yet?; 1:34 AM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: What the heck is going on at UCF? Another player in critical condition after a workout, 9 months after a kid dies from a hard workout there. I remove O'Leary from 9th place on my list. Hospitalizing and/or killing players isn't an attractive coaching attribute.

ESPN reports; 2:17 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Ugh, it's Monday.

So who is the HOT coaching rumor of the day?; 6:29 AM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I heard the OL coach at Akron is interested in the Auburn HC job. Stay tuned.; 7:04 AM
wartiger said...: I went ahead and jumped on CTG bandwagon..but Fisher would be a nice hire as well...CTG is young but has a history of a winner..I like him..; 7:25 AM
astatguy said...: On the bright side Duke and UVa aren't bad schools to be associated with. :-); 7:31 AM
astatguy said...: The Post Standard listed three coaches as having been interviewed for the job with the Orangemen, two NFL assistants and a Florida assistant. Conspicuously absent were Holtz and Gill. I think Holtz has taken himself out of the running, but I can't imagine why they aren't looking at Gill - same geography, etc.; 7:36 AM
coosa said...: Not that it makes any difference, but I've jumped onto the Gill bandwagon too. I think he would bring a new sense of purpose to Auburn.

The current purpose of AU football is to make money. It will probably be impossible to change that, but I believe that Gill would surely try.

For all the good that he did, Tubs did nothing to change it.; 7:54 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: RK- Joe Whitt Jr played during the Bowden days as a WR. He was there while i was there, from the 96 to 98 range and maybe even Tubs first year.; 8:09 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I thought that was around the right time period. I don't recall him getting any significant playing time at all though.

Much like Patrick Sullivan.; 8:13 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Joe Whitt Jr. coached at Louisville a few years back after leaving Auburn. I saw him on the sidelines for a game up there.; 8:16 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: You are right Rk. He did not play hardly any at Auburn. After his playing days, he became a student coach at Auburn, maybe even a GA. Scottie was right in that Petrino made him part of the staff at Louisville and also at Atlanta. I was surprised that Joe Whitt Jr didn't follow Petrino to Arkansas. He was a good recruiter at Louisville and I believe he would be a good assistant coach at Auburn some day. He has a lot of personality, just like his dad, except not so old school.; 8:19 AM
FSJ said...: Just reading the tea leaves....

I think Auburn is currently swinging for the fences with big money. I believe that Davis', Petrino's, & an NFL coach's interest level is being checked.

If none of those work out that's when you get down to a Turner Gill, Will Muschamp deal.

I don't believe that Jimbo or Nutt ever were candidates.; 8:29 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: when i worked at Western Kentucky a few years ago a co-worker and i went up for a thurs. nite game and got on the sidelines. when UofL was coming out of the tunnel i turned around and Joe W. Jr. was standing right behind me. i had to fight the urge to give him a big 'war eagle'.; 8:30 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: FSJ- I want your tea leaves. I think they must be the same ones that gave Alabama 12 national titles (13 after this year). :)

I'm just kidding with you. I haven't really seen anything that leads me to believe they are swinging for the fences like that, but maybe/hopefully they are. With all that said, I would be really really happy with Muschamp or Gill.; 8:34 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Scottie B, you were a Hilltopper?; 8:35 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i was a Topper for a year. worst year of my life.

assistant ticket office manager from 2004-05.

Diddle Arena is a sweet place to watch a basketball game, though.; 8:39 AM
FSJ said...: Eddie:

That's why I think they are swinging for the fences. We are hearing nothing about those folks..

The others.....Smokescreen!; 8:39 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I met a lot of fun Hilltopper fans when the football team played here in Chattanooga and won the 1-AA national title 3 or 4 years ago.; 8:49 AM
Monica said...: I'm avoiding all bandwagons so as to avoid being summarily dumped from aforementioned bandwagon when PTB announce the new coach.; 8:56 AM
Monica said...: LOL Faker are you listening to Longshore?????; 9:00 AM
FSJ said...: No...

Listening to Wet Willie while working on some reports.; 9:15 AM
Harrison said...: Maybe I'm wat behind here, but is Paul Rhoads gone?; 9:15 AM
Monica said...: OK - Bumper music = Juvenile, Back That Up; 9:17 AM
FSJ said...: Hate I missed that....; 9:25 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: "Call me Big Daddy when you back that thing up."

ha.; 9:25 AM
Monica said...: Scottie! "Youse a fine sumpin sumpin, wont you back that thang up"; 9:29 AM
Monica said...: It's embarrassing that the question is even being asked, "Would Auburn hire a black coach?"; 9:35 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Sadly it would be for the wrong reasons, if it made them look better than Alabama, they might.; 9:37 AM
Monica said...: That caller was making an EXCELLENT point that Greg makes a few times every football and basketball season. Where does the racism go when stadiums and arenas full of white folks are worshiping young black men?; 9:39 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: why thank you monnie! :)

i had to step out for a few minutes. did they really say that on the radio?

look, i don't care if it's Barney the dinosaur, if he can go toe-to-toe with Saban and Meyer i'm all for it.; 9:40 AM
Monica said...: Scottie - You're most welcome ;-)

Longshore is saying "the good ole boys network" is not "ready" to hire a black coach. He's not the only one saying/asking that.; 9:43 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Jay G. even thinks this interview is a smokescreen to keep people off the trail of who they are really after.

Mal Moore made a good point when they passed on Croom "I can't hire someone that I can't fire." when talking about how difficult the attention they would get for firing him.

That being said Croom handled Miss State letting him go with class and making seem like he resigned so they wouldn't catch the heat.; 9:49 AM
Monica said...: IMHO Mal Moore made a cowards point when he said he couldn't hire Croom, because he couldn't fire him.

Is it true that Muschamp and Jacobs have a bad relationship? I think Jay has probably addressed this before. Can someone refresh my memory?; 9:52 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: that's a pretty lame excuse by Moore if he indeed said that.

i remember hearing that too Mon. can't recall the details, though.; 9:56 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I don't think Muschamp and Jacobs are exchanging Christmas cards, but as far as I know it's not something they can't work around.

From what I've heard Muschamp's problem was with Tim Jackson in Auburn's ticket office over the Peach Bowl last year.; 9:56 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I agree it's a lame excuse, but unfortunately I understand where he's coming from. If Croom averaged 7 or 8 wins at Alabama they would have to fire him, but the media and several other influential people would hound them endlessly saying he had winning seasons and would turn it into a race issue.; 9:58 AM
Monica said...: Happy One Year Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. FrontRim!

(I'm not positive it's today, but it's close.); 9:59 AM
Monica said...: Thanks for the info on Musch/JJ, RK.

More good bumper music or whatever it's called when the show is going off the air: I'm Tore Down, Eric Clapton, From the Cradle.; 10:01 AM
WarEagleRK said...: The entire From the Cradle album is great.

I prefer Five Long Years.; 10:03 AM
Anonymous said...: Got my habotn tee Saturday. Wore it during the SEC Championship game. SWEET!!!! Thanks for making it happen!

I'd vote for making this a yearly thing... maybe to kick off each season. You could take ideas for artwork or somehting like that with the winner getting a free one or something... Just a thought.

I'm in every year cause this one will be good and worn by then.

Thanks Jay G and Scott!
WDE!!!; 10:05 AM
FSJ said...: Any chance we can go for Crimson t-shirts next year?; 10:06 AM
Seanzie said...: So again, my productivity is taking a huge hit thanks to my Alma Mater. Funny because that is the same institution that allowed me to get the job I have and now is causing me to be less effective in that job. Ironic, ain't it?; 10:06 AM
Monica said...: RK - Five Long Years is my FAVORITE Eric Clapton ever - yes, EVER. That CD is never out of player in my car.; 10:07 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Sean C,

Maybe if you do this too much, your company will give you a big buyout to leave.

Even better, maybe if you get fired you can contact Jay Jacobs and he'll give you some money because "it's the right thing to do."; 10:08 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Monica,

That is an awesome song, but I have a hard time narrowing Clapton songs down to one single favorite. I have several that are up there, but no one single one.; 10:10 AM
Seanzie said...: RK, I would love to get a golden parachute of sorts, I will most definitely be calling Jay Jacobs. Also I think it would help if I "resigned." That would make everyone look good.; 10:14 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Yeah, if you get the feel that something is going on, you need to call them out on it and resign and immediately call Jacobs. He's all about doing whats right when people resign, I'm sure as an alumn he'll hook you up.; 10:16 AM
Seanzie said...: Maybe he will even put me through grad school, I would take that over a buyout.; 10:19 AM
Monica said...: It's the lick about 2:30 in that gets me on Five Long Years. I've air guitared that down many interstates in the eastern US. I'm sure it was entertaining for anyone watching.; 10:21 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i've been trying to negotiate a buyout for about a year but to no avail. i'm guessing they appreciate my lack of productivity.

SEAN C FROM TENNESSEE, WHERE U BE AT IN TENNESSEE?

FSJ, i would be happy to put a HABOTN print on a crimson tank top for you in our next printing. just remind me. :); 10:21 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: thanks again JayWall.

speaking of HABOTN tees, there are a large group of hotties who have yet to pay for their shirts. JG has the 'naughty' list. betta pay up or get called out!

if anyone wants any extras for Christmas presents let me know. i have several XL's b/c i ordered extras.; 10:27 AM
Monica said...: In case you don't already know and are interested in some phenomenal guitar check out http://www.candyrat.com

Blues specific
http://www.candyrat.com/BluesRoots.aspx

And they are all YouTubed up.; 10:29 AM
Seanzie said...: Scottie, changed my handle from Sean from Ca&hville. I currently am in Atlanta, but I'm from the Nashville area.; 10:30 AM
Seanzie said...: Scottie, I originally requested a large but I'm waiting on funds this Friday. If there is still a large I am all over it.; 10:31 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: thanks Sean. you're on the 'naughty' list so your Large is safe. :) thanks for letting me know.; 10:43 AM
Denny Crum said...: Good late morning everyone.; 10:50 AM
FSJ said...: What up Denny?; 10:57 AM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: i wonder if coach nall will have any trouble getting his truckers to line up right...; 10:58 AM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: "hey you, in the kenworth, on mondays you're supposed to be third in line, dammit!"; 10:59 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: In case you missed it :

Korvotney Barber scored 18 points to help Auburn rout Louisiana-Monroe 78-55 on Saturday.

Good morning Coach Crum!; 11:02 AM
Denny Crum said...: I am not any bandwagon for a head coach, I will say, I am agin Muschamp,,,at this point. The only reason I argue for either CTG or CPJ is because of the spurious arguement against them. Arguments mainly to try to prop Muschamp.; 11:03 AM
michael said...: Looks like a pretty slow day today.

Go Sooners!; 11:04 AM
Monica said...: Good afternoon, Denny.; 11:06 AM
Denny Crum said...: You know, I am glad that you mentioned Diddle Arena. Ed Diddle and WKU have an outstanding basketball tradition. Probably better than 2 thirds of the SEC. You know, until I arrived at Louisville, Uof L and WKU were roughly equal, however, WKU went down in the 70s and I took UofL to the final four my first year as head coach.

Speaking from my own perspective, I would say that Auburn would do well with a top flight number one assistant OC from a top flight program that has won consistently. The point being is that the OC could most likely make an immediate turnaround and by his experience at a winning program, well, he would have the right attitude coming in.; 11:08 AM
michael said...: What about Dan Mullen? His offense does pretty well.; 11:20 AM
Adam and April said...: where is JG today?; 11:31 AM
Denny Crum said...: I think Dan Mullen is someone I am talking about. Good recruiting skills, been in the south long enough. I am not saying he should be the man. But again, I would rather have him that Muschamp.; 11:34 AM
Denny Crum said...: Hopefully Jay G is spending time with his family some.; 11:35 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Denny, was Jay G up late with you watching that Liv Tyler moive? Guess he's sleeping in. :); 11:35 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Did I just correctly read that we interviewed Rodney Garner & Patrick Nix today for the HC job?

Surely that was just for assistants jobs for the HC we already have and just haven't named, right?; 11:38 AM
FSJ said...: scottie,

I appreciate the offer on the crimson tank top. Just remember whatever size I chose this year lets go with two sizes smaller.

Thanks.; 11:38 AM
Matt W said...: I hope it's alright to share info from other blogs...

I saw where Charles Goldberg is reporting Jacobs has interviewed Rodney Garner and will be interviewing Patrick Nix.; 11:39 AM
Matt W said...: RK, you beat me to it.; 11:39 AM
Seanzie said...: 400!; 11:40 AM