Everything I needed to know, I learned years ago
Hey everyone. I was pondering candidates for Auburn's vacancy today -- trying to weed out bogus information so I can refine my aim -- and something occurred to me.If past is prologue, Auburn already has its guy and he probably hasn't yet become a celebrated candidate.
Remember 1998? Terry Bowden resigned on Oct. 23 and Tuberville was hired on Nov. 29. That's a 37-day "search." We began writing about Tuberville five days before he was hired, though, so we'll cut that down to 32 days.
One issue: We learned afterward that Auburn had secured Tuberville weeks before he was hired. Auburn handled business well ahead of time.
Remember all the names that flew around during that month? We talked about Pat Sullivan, Bobby Wallace, George O'Leary and even Mike Cavan.
I can't believe I wrote about Mike Cavan.
Remember 2003? A decision had been made to fire Tuberville before the season ended. Auburn was in suburban Louisville, Ky., securing Bobby Petrino as Tuberville's successor nearly a week before Tuberville's scheduled termination date.
Writers didn't have time to examine false leads. We never got to that point.
What can we learn?
Auburn has its next coach all but hired right now. Auburn does its homework -- even unethical homework -- when it comes to preserving the football program. If Auburn is out there pounding the pavement, knocking on doors and searching for a coach's replacement days after he left the program, well, it would be a first for this regime.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
10:11 AM
159 Comments:
so do you think they are just waiting for the dust to settle down after the tuberville resignation?
I'm not sure of the reasoning behind the plan.
I'm just pointing out Auburn's track record ...
I guess i can see why they would have someone in the fold and wait a while to announce it... Trying not to make it look like 2003 all over again and not further tarnish the image of our program.
They hired a search firm. I guess they're searching.
Jimbo Fisher would be a perfect fit. Beyond Fisher.. Butch Davis - Paul Johnson - Charlie Strong
If track records prove right, Auburn is in good shape, check the last three hires orchestrated by Lowder. Anybody who thinks the 'resignation' caught Auburn off guard is fooling themselves
Mike Cavan? Who?
search firm is the proverbial smoke screen... i hope that is true
That would mean that Jay Jacobs wasn't really "shocked" when Tommy "resigned". I wonder about the Lowder/Bowden/Fisher connection from Samford to Auburn. If Jimbo's hired I think we'll know who the man behind the curtain was. I'd like to see Auburn make a statement about character and being willing to do what it takes to get to the next level. Turner Gill will be a great coach for us until Nebraska mortgages Lincoln to get him to come home. Who would ESPN, CBS, Finebaum, et. al. find to bash in our place?
I see on the other thread everyone is on the turner gill bandwagon because of last night. If he is the next coach fine, but for us to go after him is setting our sights too low, he needs to be backup plan at best.
Sorry, Ron, couldn't disagree more. I've been a Turner Gill fan since I watched them play Auburn close several years ago. Gill is the potential great coach in the bunch. The others are just good.
Turner Gill has ZERO experience in the SEC and no clue when it comes to recruiting in the south. Charlie Strong would be a better choice. I hope we get Fisher, Davis or Johnson.
Mike Cavan was at SMU back then.
I am sure you are right Jay. Could Boom be waiting to see if Oklahoma stumbles tonight? You never know how the searches go. Is Auburn really going to pay the type of money Fisher will require.
say this out loud to yourself, "We got rid of Tommy Tuberville and replaced him with Turner Gill."
I think we can do better than that.
Good morning all. I just want to say this fine freezing morning.
GO NAVY!! BEAT ARMY!! Now on to your regularly scheduled coaching search.
AU1N04 out!
that's a good scenario there McLovin. If Muschamp comes i don't see jay jacobs being the AD for much longer.
the oc from univ. of arizona--who came here from tex. tech, has really turned around arizona's offense in a year's time. and he did it without much talent on the field. probably not a big enough name, though.
If I was Auburn I would get away from any Coach who has Sexton as an agent. This guy is a snake in the grass. Did Auburn actually call Nutt or did he just say it for leverage? Could be the same deal with Fisher.
I'm with you Jay. I think if Auburn doesn't know who its coach is yet, they at least had it down to their top few candidates before Tuberville's departure. I'm not 100% sure the decision has been made, but definitely think it's been narrowed down.
I think Charlie Strong is possibility. I think Will Muschamp would be a viable candidate, but for the fact I don't believe he'll come to Auburn if Jay Jacobs is AD.
I do think Mike Leach is a viable candidate. The last two coaching searches produced one coach who was offensively minded (Bowden) and one who was defensively minded (Tuberville). I can easily see a desire for the pendulum to swing back towards offense by those making the decision.
I think Houston Nutt was a red herring AND a Jimmy Sexton ploy to get his client more money. I'm not sold on Turner Gill.
Hey Jay how's Atlanta?
Any exciting news in Hotlanta Jay?
I agree Jay. With the way this season played out, I think that Auburn has kept a short list of potential candidates. I would think all colleges do that.
Maybe that's why Turner Gill was crying last night. He's destined for Syracuse.
Pat Forde said the two leading candidates were Jimbo Fisher and Paul Johnson.
What does he know?
Mclovin, I hope you are right.
I like the reasoning Jay G.
The BOT is made up of pretty much the same players as 98 and 03, and we all know they are calling the shots here, not JJ and JG.
No reason to think they would alter their MO now.
While I want Army to lose in this game. I must say that there uniforms today look awesome. Especially with Duty. Honor. Country where names go.
McLovin,
ImLovin your campaign button.
Great catch ECU leads Tulsa. Go Pirates
You like those unis? Reminds me of the Padres alternate jerseys. Camo baseball caps on the cadets? Just doesn't seem to go with the pomp and circumstace of this game. Everyone always looks sharp. Camo, not so sharp.
It is very possible Jacobs has just been going through the motions while there was already a verbal yes from another coach in the middle of the season. My hopes to why Butch Davis wasn't interested in UT. I just think the BOT finally knew they had the upperhand after the Tony Franklin debacle and they decided to get the ball rolling.
my dad was in the Navy, I was in the AF, but how can you not pull for Army in the camou unis?
If Turner Gill goes to Syracuse he will never be heard from again. That is a wasteland.
Muschamp will not come to AU as long as Jacobs is the AD. On that note, part of me wishes it would be Boom... but I don't think AU is going to rid itself of their inept AD.
Fisher would be a good hire, but I don't think he would be the 'great' hire. Butch Davis would be a huge splash and would certainly create some waves. I certainly hope Nutt was never truly contacted.
Paul Johnson would be a good short term hire to manage the players we currently have, but he isn't a long term solution.
Because I am from Annapolis!! Touchdown NAVY!! WOO HOO
D - So who is the right hire?
Go Army
I kinda agree with you peter on Armies uniforms..they are cool but to me it seems a little...commerically..or something
Could be the future AU offense if PJ comes to town.
Mon - you just made me sad.
I was in the AF so GO ARMY..
Out of the names that have been tossed around, my wish list consists of Butch Davis and Paul Johnson. I think Turner Gill has the potential to be a great coach and recruiter, so he is my long shot. I know he isn't proven in the SEC, but there aren't many that are. I wouldn't mind a young up-comer that has the energy and ambition to prove himself.
wartiger - That is ok. Thank you for your service. Navy beat you too.
I will talk tou you guys later. I have got to take the kids to do the Santa picture thing before the SEC game.
Enjoy McLovin.
Ok, off to focus on eating and the games. Chat with you all later.
Jay has said that Muschamp is not the choice, and I have to believe him. That being said, IF he was the choice, J Jacobs should be looking for work, because there is no way you keep a puppet AD who is easily replaced if he is the reason the HC candidate won't come. AD much easier to replace than top football coach.
Ron, take a look at Goldberg's poll at AL.com. A lot of Auburn fans are saying "We got rid of Tommy Tuberville and treplaced him with Turner Gill", and not liking the Tommy Tuberville part, but loving the Turner Gill part.
Geez I'm ready to go.
Hey Mclovin lets start a facebook group to support Turner Gill and use your button for the pic.
Aww I'm sorry AU1N04, but my Greg is an Army man, First Cav! :-)
So JG, as someone els has pointed out in this thread, given Auburn's track reacond, the whole "shocked" business was just that -- business. Just "spin." Is that right?
I gotta admit, that thought ticks me off all over again...
I'm leaving early..screw it..Have a good day HOTTIES. WAR EAGLE!!
"Sorry, Ron, couldn't disagree more. I've been a Turner Gill fan since I watched them play Auburn close several years ago."
That was 2 years ago and close was still 38-7. When we were starting off with our bad offense that kept going downhill. Buffalo was 2-10 that year.
Gill has one winning season in 3 years at Buffalo. Yes, I know it's Buffalo, but still it's a huge step up. I think he's a good coach, but not the best choice.
Everyone just needs to accept it and move on. Jay G is right. Why would anyone believe that anything now would be anywhere different. I don't.
I mean Jay Jacobs sounded like Claude Rains in Casablanca, Rick I am shocked, shocked I tell you to find that gambling is going on here. Claude was a better actor.
Well, the only thing I can say to the newspaper writers is to speculate about the usual suspects, but to know deep down it will be none of the above.
is anybody keeping an eye on the AU Athletic Dept. during the SECCG today? Seems like the ideal time to sneak in an interview.
people need to stop thinking about NAMES and just want the person who can come in and win football games. I think there are plenty of people like that out there.
So far only two coaches on the list look like they might be better than Tuberville, Davis and Johnson. Any of the others would likely be a step back, especially if we go with an on the job training guy like Muschamp or Fisher.
A guy like Gill might be able to step it up, but I don't see him as a long time solution. I could see him coming to put himself up in the millionaires club, but I wouldn't expect him to stay for the long term.
On another note, in regards to the afternoon game between the gators and the bammers, I feel like Israel in the 80s watching the Iraq-Iran war.
mon-
I thinik Butch Davis should be choice 1... but I'm not certain he would be willing to leave Tobacco Road and the relatively easy ACC. He can recruit and coach with the best of them.
Brian Kelly is an excellent coach.
I think Jimbo could put together a good staff, he's a pretty good coach and a good recruiter.
Turner Gill, is a wild card. Could be a superstar coach in the making, but would be going out on a limb. Would probably require patience.
I don't know who the perfect fit would be. If I did, I wouldn't be commenting on here, I'd be sitting in a AD chair somewhere. Whoever is hired, there will be many AU fans disappointed for some reason or another.
I do believe that the SECCG will likely yield the BCSBSNC. It is a new tradition I would like to see continue.
That's a great analogy Denny!
Ok hotties, enjoy the games today. I'm headed out for the day.
Jay ...
I think you're seeing the ball well on this one.
If Tommy had left a year ago, who would have been the coach? I think Muschamp. You may have different opinion.
Who do you think it will be now? I still think Muschamp. It always comes back to where it starts with these guys.
I like the camo Army unis.
Maybe we can sport some stripes or wings.
Denny, that's the greatest analogy ever!
Oye Vey, Denny. Oye Vey.
my wife's at work. do any Hotties think this 9 day old last serving of dressing is still safe to eat for lunch?
I didn't realize that 5th year seniors were allowed at West Point.
The ACC championship game is hilarious, Boston College versus Virginia Tech. One team has 4 losses, while the other team has 3, and each have 3 conference losses. It is really hard to picture a team that losses 3 in conference as the conference champ. There should be some kind of rule that if you have more than two losses in conference, you are inelligible for the championship game. If two teams don't make it, then we just won't have a champion that year.
Just say no to Will "F'n" Muschamp.
Jay, you're getting mentioned on the ITAT Auburn message board but unfortunately that comes with your entire entry being copied and pasted over there and not so much as even a link back to HABOTN to go with it.
Do people just not understand the concept of limited excerpts under fair use and the fact that your words are your property (or at least the property of your employer?)
the folks in Jacksonvillle are happy with it. After being criticized for the last couple of years, and ultimately losing the game, they have no problem seeing bad weather, a crappy game, and at least one team (BC) that doesn't travel well.
Get a good chance to see Coach Hud of UNA at 4:00 EST on ESPN2
ROAR LIONS!!!!
My alma mater!
D- I agree with all your coaching assessments so you in the AD chair is ok with me. :-)
You're right. No matter who is hired someone will be disappointed, but that's human nature.
Go get 'em Roman. Make sure you post your complaint on ITAT!
Personally I dont think there is a coach available that will be better than CTT. Therefore, the best we can do is approximate his success and minimize his shortcomings.
Paul Johnson, Butch Davis, and Jimbo fisher are good coaches but neither has enough upside for me.
PJ is the most intriguing to me and the triple option is wonderful when it's done right. But that offense has the same issues that the Borges O has. If you get behind and need to score several TDs quick, game over.
Interesting article right here. Of course it's all for naught if they beat Florida, but I'm hoping they get exposed this afternoon.
http://www.faniq.com/blog/Utah-and-Boise-State-Played-More-Difficult-Schedules-Than-Alabama-Did-Blog-15497
By the IAN EAGLE for CBS - what an awesome name!
My problem with Jimbo Fisher is not his inexperience (I think he is pretty much running the show at FSU) but his offense. It doesn't really do anything for me. FSU has not been that great with him in control of the offense (55th this year). Seems like they should be better considering the talent available.
FSU is averaging 32.7 points per game though.
Jimbo Fisher is probably a good coach, but I have no idea how he would do as a head coach. It is a completely different job.
I have expressed that we likely won't get a coach on Tuberville's levell, but that doesn't mean we won't get a coach that turns out to be better. Guys like Turner Gill could be it, although it is basically like playing the lottery. Lose and it will cost you 4 or 5 seasons.
That puts them 26th in the nation.
Scoring offense and scoring defense are the stats I look at over yardage gained and yardage allowed.
I mean look at all the times we got to the goal line and never scored.
Fisher's offense is also balanced with 182.8 rushing per game and 185.8 passing per game.
I don't think he's a bad hire, but he's not my first choice.
Fisher's upside is he would likely stick with Auburn over the long haul, which is one of the things I look for in a head coach.
Muschamp? I can't figure out why a lot of the Hotties are saying his name when if you read ALL of the news, he is NOT coming.
Why would he leave where he just got double his salary, will coach in a few years one of the TOP programs, will make MORE than he would make at AU, and will have hos way with recruiting.
There is NO,NO positive feedback coming to us that says he is interested. Sorry...
What's the deal with all this Turner Gill business? He was crying after the game last night. I don't know if I am a fan of that. Also, his team won because of a couple of TD returns on defense. They allowed over 500 yards, so it was somewhat a fluke win.
Not saying he couldn't be good, but is he really the right coach or just the flavor of the week? What is his other experience?
I don't see why in the world we would want Muschamp in the first place. Of the candidates listed so far, he would be near the bottom of the list.
My dream list:
Lombardi
Carroll
Meyer
Brown
Stoops (Bob, that is)
My "No way would AU do this to me" list:
Muschamp
Fisher
Satan
My "no way they're coming" list:
Davis
Petersen
Whittingham
My "I'm ok with this" list:
Gill
Strong
P Johnson
Skip Holtz's name not getting a lot of air play... I really would prefer we not hire him.
"Skip Holtz's name is popping up at Syracuse"
Guys, I know Paul Johnson had a good year at GT but let's remember that beating Georgia isn't that big a deal this year.
How in holy hell are we going to be able to recruit in the SEC with the veer option????
Secondly, I see his offense as big a gimmick as Mike Leache's as far as "would it work in the SEC".
I have NO love for Paul Johnson.
Jet had very interesting and insightful comments yesterday or day before on the whole deal about AU had CTT a year before they hired him so AU probably has had our next coach picked out for a while. when he get's back I hope he'll share those pearls of wisdom again. I think he's saying it will be Muschamp or Petrino.
Jet - for give me if I totally molested your theory.
Steve, if he's good enough for Texas why isn't he good enough for Auburn?
If Paul Johnson is hired it sets Auburn back 5 years.
Monica - I really hope that's not the case.
If it is that means SACs is on its way back to investigate again.
The only reason that was the case before was because the BOT were calling ALL the shots.
I'd like to think our AD was suprised by the choice to leave by CTT. Now, maybe they have always had someone in mind but this isn't 1997/98.
Since I have absolutely no say in the hiring decision, I'll sit back and wait for the big announcement. I'll support our new coach and give him the benefit of the doubt that he will right the ship.
Great attitude kathy.
You want win the reply count contest but great way to look at it. =)
Chris, then why not hire Dubose or Shula? If they were good enough for Bama they should be good enough for us.
There is a difference between being the head coach in waiting and the head coach. I would assume Texas will train him during this interim time, rather than throw him immediately into the meat grinder.
Paul Johnson had more than just a good year at GT. He has three 1-AA national titles at Ga Southern, he won at freakin Navy.
His offense is a gimmick offense, but one hardly anyone uses any more and he's always adapting it. Where it's different from Leach's gimmick offense is that tons of teams are using the spread, so you are more prepared for it. Johnson's offense you probably get 3 or 4 days of practice to prepare for it because nobody else runs it.
As far as recruiting, we'd pretty much recruit the same RB's we have been for years with a different type of QB and quicker linemen.
The guy has won everywhere he has been, I think he'd be a great choice.
Chris, why would you think hiring Paul Johnson would set us back five hears? Do you feel he has set Georgia Tech back five years?
Beating Georgia isn't a big deal this yer
I dunno about this statement. The only teams not named Georgia Tech they lost to are currently ranked #1 and #2 in the country right now.
John Mackovic & David McWilliams were also good enough for Texas, should we show interest in them?
LET'S GO NAVY!!
Ok. let me begin by saying I don't want to argue but that was an incredibly rediculous staement.
Texas. One of the top 3 jobs in America - many think THE BEST in America - is willing to give the man a gurantee that he'll be their coach. Now, by training him, I'm not really sure what that means but W.T.H does Shula and Dubose have to do with this?
They were hired and let go because of they couldn't handle the job.
Shula was hired AFTER spring drills and was a desperate hire - bottom line.
Bob Stoops and Mark Richt hadn't been HC's before either. How's that work out?
Paul Johnson didn't win all his games this year and Auburn would be able to recruit offensive weapons OR defnsive weapond swith him in charge.
Paul Johnson is a proven winner.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mike Dubose and Mike Shula never had previous head coaching experience either.
Training obviously means training to be a head coach, which is what you are proposing, which means being a manager. So, the training would be management training.
sweet, a cut and paste schedule. you got us there.
"Bob Stoops and Mark Richt hadn't been HC's before either. How's that work out?"
Chris for every Mark Richt & Bob Stoops there are about 100 others who were hired after being coordinators who tanked. So that argument is an "incredibly rediculous staement" as well.
Mike Stoops and Bob Davie had never been a HC before either. How did that work out?
i don't understand why jimbo fisher's name is being thrown around so much. i don't think that Auburn is targeting an OC or a DC, especially not one with a $5m buyout. I think they'll be looking at an experienced coach, not a first-timer.
So, we're saying Paul Johnson's the best hire?
And yes, I cut and pasted his schedule -- loss at home to Virgina?
And scored 7 against a UNC team that was blasted by Nc St?
Yeah....I can see the recruits lining up at the door.
Regardless of what really happened with CTT, the AU leaders/fans either "runoft" or let get away one of the best coaches out there. We just played into $aban's hand. No matter who we hire, $aban will get a couple of years easier recruiting b/c of this.
The SEC eats coaches. I don't see any coaches out there that are good enough and willing to come to the SEC circus to mske an immediate difference at AU.
JGeezy makes a good point that AU has been prepared for the coaching change in the past, but I will be shocked if they have the right answer this time. The SEC is a different league now. The "expectations" are too high, the fuses too short and all schools pay so well now that the exorbitant SEC pay is not worth the stress. Ask Jim Grobe.
Paul Johnson is tuff enough to handle the SEC and may be motivated to come. Not sure how long his offense would last and how he could recruit.
Butch Davis would be nuts to leave UNC to come to this circus. Can he recruit in the SEC w/o cheating?
That leaves AU to gamble on either a young, upcoming HC from out West or Fisher/Muschamp. Any of those will take some years to make an impact on Saban.
Our best bet was CTT.
I was going to say plenty of offense. Good defense and you won't have to play catch up.
Name 20 Steve -- If there's a hundred - name 20.
GO!
And guys, how do you recruit to the wishbone in 2009?
That's better. Explanation > cut and paste.
I'm saying Del Rio's the best choice, but I'm thinking that Johnson could be a good pickup for Auburn if he had the right support personell around him.
RB's and plenty of them...speed, lot's of speed.
Chris, that record is pretty amazing for a first year coach. He was one game away from the ACC championship, which is admittedly not that impressive, but I consider that a very good first year. I don't think Dye, Tuberville, of Jordan had that good of a first season. You can throw Bear Bryant and Nick Saban in that bunch too.
The thing is, I would view Muschamp as a step back.
Paul Johnson isn't running the wishbone, although he does run a lot of triple option out of a double wing set.
Butch Davis would be nuts to leave UNC to come to this circus. Can he recruit in the SEC w/o cheating?
He's never been acused of cheating and landed a laundry list while at Miami against UF & FSU.
Fast linemen, an option QB and the same RB's we've always had.
And it was me who said 100. Usually you can't name that many because they coach for 3 years and get fired and fade away.
Butch Davis saved Miami from cheating.
The issue with CTT was the lack of a productive offensive which most attributed to no great WR/playmakers on the team. PJ's triple option will continue that trend b/c no high profile WR wants to be a blocker.
I don't understand the cheating remark with Butch Davis either. I haven't heard of cheating associated with him.
Peter, a better explaination would be his win loss record and some perspective.
I guess everyone watch the Georgia game.
Not many saw the UNC game where they scored 7.
As far as plenty of RBs and speed?
It would be a recruiting nightmare. And going against Nick Saban with no passing game. Yeah, Paul Johnson.
One demnsional offense against Alabama for the next _____ years.
Sorry RK but that don't jive.
Bob Stoops and Mark Richt were the right hires and did it in the most comepetitive conferences.
How many times did GT throw the ball against UGA?
Would that offense win in this league?
Bob Davie
Mike Stoops
Ed Orgeron
Charlie Weiss
Paul Hackett
Mike Shula
Ron Zook
There are a handful of big time schools who hired people who had never been a HC before.
That was just off the top of my head. I can do the research, but it would be pointless because I'm sure you'll always be right in your mind.
Just reading over some of these comments, I see Paul Johnson would be accepted among most Auburn fans.
Personally, I don't want a one dimensional offense here. I also don't think he could recruit with Saban either, but we don't really have any way to judge that because you don't recruit at Navy and he's only been at GA Tech for one year.
Do you guys really think that offense can work consistently in the SEC?
I'll take Brian Kelly if we can get him, forget Butch Davis.
Actually, I believe Jay listed one of the 100 in this article, but I will leave it to ya'll to build whatever list you need.
As for Paul Johnson, the offense he is running was referred to as the wingbone by that guy at MSU. I think it was Emory Bellard, but I am getting old and my memory fades.
The option attack that Paul Johnson runs is similar in a lot of ways to the spread with the single back in the backfield and lots of receivers/wingbacks.
It is just another offense and I don't really get as hung up on what offense, but rather how well the offense is run. Winning coaches have offenses that make very few mistakes, regardless of the offense. That was the chief problem with our offense this season early on. It wasn't a specific player, although Ziemba contributed a lot, but it was the offense making mistakes that killed us. The QB actuall had little to do with our offensive struggles early on. Mistakes did.
Chris, most of your arguments don't jive either. You named two coaches who worked out at big time schools.
I think Johnson's offense will work in the SEC. He's always adapting it. He's won at every level he has ever coached and it's difficut to prepare for, because nobody else runs it so you have to practice specifically for it and you don't have much time to scout it and practice for it.
He might be a failure and Muschamp might be the greatest ever, but I'd take Johnson over him right now.
Muschamp is the coach in waiting at Texas because they want to get him prepared to be a head coach. I'm sure he'll do fine.
Neither one of us are going to give in this argument, so I'm just going to agree that I'm right, you can agree that you are right and we'll move on.
Anyway, I'm out to watch the game so everyone have fun.
By the way Brian Kelly is moving up on my list the more I read about him.
They didn't throw the ball alot because they didn't have too. This was Johnson's first year at GT and yet he was able to go 9-3. If everyone is looking for a coach out there who consistently wins all of his games every year, then we will be waiting a long time. Using that logic, Pete Carroll shouldn't come here. He plays in the weak Pac 10 and loses to teams that are inferior to him. Plus a consistent 10 to 11 game winner isn't leaving to come to Auburn. Ain't happening.
I think the south is full of alot more players that could play for Paul Johnson than any other coach out there.
Breakng news, Leach just got richer by coaching vacancies out there.
Chris - I have watched Paul Johnson for years and watched him completely transform a team that was 0-10.
Don't lump me in with everyone please. Thanks.
I never understand the "blank" offense would never work in this league. Any offense run well would work. Nebraska ran over everyone (including SEC teams) with the option in the 90's. West Virginia has had a ton of success against the SEC with the run-first spread option. And now Ga Tech did to Georgia what no one else did. And then the obvious example people use is Florida... I am sure the same people who are saying "blank" offense won't work at Auburn said Meyer wouldn't work at Florida.
If you do it well, it will work. And I think we are closer to a run-first attack than to a Leach style spread attack. No matter who comes in, I wouldn't expect too much out of the offense for a couple of years either way.
The point of Paul Johnson and recruiting is very interesting, because I consider recruiting to be one of the primary responsibilities of a head coach. You have to have a head coach that can sell recruits on the program. That is probably the biggest question mark with Paul Johnson.
So far of the list of coaches I have seen, only Butch Davis and Paul Johnson are coaches I would consider on Tuberville's level. Mike Leach is almost there, but he hasn't had the same long term success.
Brian Kelly's been #2 behind Spurrier on my list. Since we have no shot at Spurrier I guess he is actually my first choice.
I wouldn't be disappointed if Paul Johnson was hired, but I wouldn't be excited either. It would be a hell of a lot better than Houston Nutt, I know that much.
michael, that is it exactly. It isn't the offense that is important, it is how well they offense is executed.
I will certainly say that an offense can't be one dimensional, and I don't believe the wingbone is. The wingbacks are much more involved in the passing game than the halfbacks in the wishbone.
Pat Dye demonstrated the danger of being one dimensional in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M in the mid 80s. We couldn't run, and if you are in the wishbone and can't run, you are done.
Spurrier is another interesting option, although I agree it is unlikely he would come. I am in South Carolina and the attitude from him seems to be he isn't that concerned with money. He just wants to coach. He also isn't known to be a great recruiter. He is more of an example of a great offensive coordinator playing head coach.
Guys have a great afternoon.
RTR!
Either way, I think PJ is a great coach. Is he right for AU, I have no idea.
IMO, this hire needs to be a big deal, and one that would make all understand why xCTT is no longer at Auburn. I would also say guarantee many SEC Championships but that of course is impossible.
Ain't that plain obvious?
G ... I didn't get here using habotn.com. I had to go back to blogspot. if anybody else is having that problem (speak up if you are) then you might want to check on it.
And I mean my comments being obvious.
Phred - Sometimes I need to keep refreshing the page and it will finally show up if you are seeing all blank.
FSJ, I hope you have a great afternoon as well..
As long as that doesn't require Alabama winning.
al.com: Sports
Source: www.al.com
"We're old-fashioned," Saban said of his team's offensive style. "We're running the same plays they ran 30 years ago at Ohio State."
For all of that seem enamored with having certain types of offense that will or won't work in the SEC.
My point is the same as Michael. If you run it well, it will work. I believe in the KISS priciple. No, that Rock and Roll all night and partying every day. Keep it Simple Stupid.
AU1N04, I do think we need to get a big name coach. If not, we will be viewed as having lost a great coach for an unknown quantity.
Changing coaches is a risky businesses. It is rare for a new coach to come in and have instant success. It is more likely that it take several years to get the program back to where it was. Then you have to consider the possibility of a wrong hire, which can set the program back for decades, rather than years.
That is the danger of changing head coaches and why I am more in favor of keeping a good head coach and paying the bucks for top notch coordinators. The issue with doing that is that you have to have a head coach that is willing to give his coordinators some of the spotlight, and I am not sure if that has been the case at Auburn.
I think there's probably a reason that no team in the SEC is running the triple option every play.
Steve - Agreed. Ok off to eat and watch more football.
I don't think I have ever seen a team run the triple option every play.
Not many people seem to be giving Bama much of a chance against Florida. I am not sure why. Bama has an outstanding running game. That, coupled with a QB that hasn't made many mistakes and a pretty good defense, should give Bama a chance. I think Florida should be the favorite, but I think it could turn into a very close game if Bama limits Florida's opportunities.
Steve, I actually think Bama is going to win. Especially now that they're saying Harvin is likeley out.
But I reallllllly hope I am DEAD wrong.
52-7 Florida would absolutely make my day!
Thinking about Paul Johnson, the biggest knock I may have against him would be that he would be willing to leave Georgia Tech after one season. I prefer coaches that don't tend to jump around and I don't feel it is fair to Georgia Tech to leave after one season. It is certainly not fair to the players who have learned a new offense that would likely change again with a new head coach.
barkley, if Harvin is really out, it does give Bama a much better shot. I don't really want to pull against Bama. In general, I don't like to pull against anyone, but I don't want to hear the Bama fans talking about 13 either.
Man, my hatred for Bama is immeasurable.
If they were playing against Iraq I would be wearing a turban.
Holy Crap!!! Army just threw a pick six when it looked like Army was going to have a chance to score.
HAHA Did anyone just see Frank Beamer get drilled in the head by one of his players who was trying to celebrate?
That was hilarious.
Man, I missed that one. Just switched back to that game.
The guy was throwing his arm in the air to celebrate and he hit Coach Beamer in the face. Knocked his glasses and his headset off.
Phreddy -- I just used "habotn.com to connect. No problems. I bought the domain, so we should be good for a while. Best $12 I ever spent.
Jay,
Who's minding the store in Auburn today. Do you think they've got anyone in town interviewing today while everyone's attention is focused on SECCG?
Harvin defintley out. Uh OH.
Look at Archie Manning's chaulk stripe suit. He looks like some numbers guy in vegas from the 70s
New post up.
watching the Tulsa game i had a revelation. i wasn't initially juiced by the name Jimbo Fisher but the man did work with Nick Saban at LSU so he knows how to win (he's got a NC) and should know how to beat him (in theory anyways).
sorry about your Tulsa boys Jay G. i was cheering for 'em.
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