Hugh Nall speaks

Just got off the phone with Hugh Nall. As the HOTTIES learned several days ago, Nall (pictured in the background at right) is now a high-ranking official with a company based in Albany, Ga.

Nall had plenty to say about his final day at Auburn. It gives us a glimpse into the frenzy and abrupt finale that was Tuberville's last stand.

HERE'S HOW IT UNFOLDED:

• Nall was in Atlanta around 2:30 CST preparing to board a plane bound for Dallas. He was headed west to visit with OL commitment Aaron Moore.
  
  
• Prior to boarding, Nall called Andy Lutz (Tuberville's right-hand man) and asked if he needed to hang back or get on the plane.
  
  "A gut feeling told me to call into the office and see what was going on," Nall said. ``Tubs told Andy that I needed to go; that it looks like this thing is going to work out."
  
  
• Nall lands in Dallas around 4:15. He has received dozens of messages. The first is from Lutz.
  
  "He said everybody's been let go. He said we needed to be with our families," Nall said. ``I'm in Dallas, Texas. My wife is calling me. Someone at the bank told her. My daughter heard it on the radio. They want to talk with me and here I am in Dallas."
  
  
• As it turns out, the plane Nall rode from Atlanta to Dallas is heading back to Atlanta in less than an hour. He immediately books a seat on the return flight.
  
  
• While waiting for his final flight as an Auburn employee, Nall talks with long-time friend Henry Griffin. He owns Southern AG Carriers. That's where Nall works these days.
  
  "He asked me: `Are you ready to get out of coaching?'" Nall said. ``I was already out of it."

OTHER QUOTES OF INTEREST:
On the events of 12/3: "What gets me is this: When I got on that plane, Tuberville was going to stay. I get off the plane an hour and 40 minutes later and it's over. What happened? There's a good story in there."

On Olive Tuberville's assertion that her son was fired: "If Olive Tuberville told me it was going to be cold out, I'd wear the biggest coat I've got. That's all that needs to be said there."

On Tony Franklin's dismissal: "That was the right thing for Auburn University and the game of football. What I mean by that is that you had to do that for the players and the total situation. The chemistry was not there. The preparation certainly wasn't there. The whole deal wasn't working. I supported Tubs' decision."