Monday chatter
Hey everyone. Sorry for being a tad late on getting this started.It's still unclear when Tommy Tuberville will be meeting with athletic director Jay Jacobs and university president Jay Gogue (now summarily titled "The Jays") about the football program's health. This isn't something they want publicized, so the situation from a reporting standpoint could change at a moment's notice.
I'll pass along anything I see or hear from the Athletic Complex.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
11:45 AM
158 Comments:
What will become of this blog during the off-season, Jay G?
i've spent the past 2 days trying to separate myself from the debacle that is AU football 2008 and gain some perspective. i'm not sure that is had helped.
HABOTN T-SHIRT ANNOUNCEMENT:all orders that have been paid as of Dec. 1st are in the mail. hopefully the hotties should be receiving them around Wednesday or so. i still have around 30 peeps i haven't heard from yet. let me know if you're unsure if you've sent it to me or not. thanks.
Excellent.
Good work Scottie. Most appreciated.
i've gotta do something to lift the spirits around here. they're pretty pimp. i got a few funny looks at the grocery store friday nite. sweet.
Incognito.....If this blog returns to a status similar to last winter-spring- early Fall, then there will be light, matter of fact type general AU discussions(mostly football), Television and Guitar Hero discussions. The discussions are generally positive, b/c it is off season. Small group last winter, but it looks to be much larger this year.
I didn't know this place existed last winter. However this might be a pretty hot offseason with a lot of news to discuss.
JG talked ALOT of guitar hero last off-season. :)
Ok. Thanks.
Jay, thanks for providing this. You deserve a much better job that will give you credit for your online efforts.
I look forward to the first offseason as an official hottie. I intend to attend all mandatory early morning workout sessions to stay in shape and get prepared for next season.
If I know anything about "The Jays", Tuberville will walk out of that meeting with a raise and a higher buyout...and maybe as many as two, or three people working under him.
Good one AWK. That got a laugh out loud from me.
things stay pretty eventful until the summer and discussion kinda hits a wall until August.
Last year "Lost", guitar hero and jenna fischer were Jay's main topics of conversation during the summer.
AWK with an excellent comment.
I can see that happening, and I can also see every party leaving that meeting clueless as to what just happened.
AWK for front page comment - that's solid
Eddie - Thanks for coming to get me! :-)
Scottie b...got caught up in the holiday festivities but sent my order out today!
thanks bigcat.
I have a topic for off-season discussion:
Plaxico Burress=Chedder Bob from 8 Mile.
Shotting yourself with your own gun is so NOT gangsta.
Cheddar Bob. nice.
Next topic:
DirectTV vs Charter
I have charter but they are pretty bad here in Lee Co. I think my new HDTV deserves the best, but do I want a long term relationship with DirectTV? Will the crazy swirling winds here keep my reception undependable? Thoughts?
I like Direct TV because of the NFL Network. It makes me feel special.
I also get the Big Ten Network. That just makes me feel stupid.
I've had Dish Network for a long time and I love it.
I had Direct TV just to have the NFL network a few years back and it was fine too.
Either are better than cable.
Are there any thoughts who the next OC would be?
I'm going to go with Shane Montgomery from Miami of Ohio since he is now jobless. He was a really good OC, just not a good HC.
However that is if we need just an OC.
The Hotties agreed the next OC will be either Batman or Turd Ferguson.
Since Turd seems to rise to the top, I will hope for that.
That's why Linda Ferguson named him Turd. She was sure he would rise to the top.
I like the basketball stuff on here during the winter. That is, until about mid-january when we are usually out of the SEC picture.
Who thinks the longer it takes for the conversation between the Jays and Tubs to take place, the better the odds are that they are going to fire Tubs?
Mmm kay.
Is lane Kiffin also Mr garrison from southpark?
Never heard Mmm kay that much in my life.
I am very interested in seeing how long it takes before we get a statement on Tuberville's future. The longer it takes, the more fragile I think Tuberville's position is.
I'm with you Steve. I just hope that if they are stalling on firing him that they have someone waiting in the wings.
I say - let's bring one of our own home and buy Pat Nix out of Miami! In 2010, we can name him "HCIW" which is all the rage these days......
Bill Braski for OC!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maybe the new HC will bring an OC with him.
krewe, if there is a new HC, he will likely bring in an entire new staff.
RIP Auburn Football 2008 - you will not be missed.
Today has been pretty rough -- most of my coworkers thoroughly enjoyed The Game of Which We Do Not Speak
I think Tubbs stays through 2012. I think his osne graduates then, though not 100% on that. Also think he has mentioned that before somewhere along the way.
Roundable today says Jacobs told Tubbs last week everything is fine and he will be back. Josh said that was like the 2nd floor janitor telling you your job was safe.
Hornet - It is not logical to refer the to "Game of which we do not speak", When it is clearly "The season of which we do not speak"!
Well, on the lighter side, none of our losses count because we weren't a very good team. Yes, it is Bambi logic, but somehow I am beginning to appreciate it.
On the Patrick Nix thing...why?
He really hasn't done much in his two OC jobs he's had so far.
hornet, if it makes you feel better i hate your co-workers. i only have to deal with one bama-lover here.
btw, where's your t-shirt payment? holla at your boy!
I'm on hold on The ROUNDTABLE WMSP.
bring it Sensi!
RK - Nix was QB/RB coach at GT during 2003 when they beat us....Took over OC position for Tech in '04, the next year Tech had the leading WR & RB in the ACC. His offense led Tech to the ACC championship game - Hired by Miami to turn their offense around where he is also the recruiting coordinator. He was recruited during PD's tenure at Auburn so I like his roots. It is a good choice - Yield to the logic!
Geez Scottie B -- callin me out for my lack of funds on the HABOTN ... "the checks in the mail"
Great call, Mr. S.
Few things in life shock me, but if Tuberville is here next year I will be shocked. This is the "perfect storm" of events, losses, hiring miscues, whats happening across the state, other firings within the SEC, too many things are stacked against Tuberville, and I didn't even mention his fan club on the board.
Just because he's from Auburn, doesn't make Nix the best choice. Look at other schools who keep it in the family.
His offenses haven't been that impressive at GT or Miami. They were pretty much hit or miss and Reggie Ball never developed into a good consistant QB. Calvin Johnson didn't put up nearly the numbers he could have in an offense that would have used him properly.
I hope that made sense.
I said I think the only way TPTB pull the trigger is if what happened at UT this year happens (or they think it has happened) to AU and Tubs.
He'd have to lose the team (again) and the support of fans in a very visual way. It's one thing for fans to bail out on non-conference cupcakes, but it AU fans bail out on a conference game (that UT stadium was at least half crimson during the Bama/UT game this year), that would speak volumes, in my humble opinion.
I think if they have someone behind the scenes that they want who is interested they will pull the trigger...and don't think for a second that feelers haven't been sent out.
"M" - (Now I feel more like James Bond than Mr. Spock!) I base my theory on the premise that no "Big Name" will come to AU because of all the drama of the past year, so....who does that leave??? Who would might want to come - somebody with "Family Ties" - (Now I feel like Alex P. Keaton) Last Pop culture reference/crossover/tie-in of the day...
Any of you kids know what's up with Slaughter?
Kevin Scarbinsky reported in his blog that Tuberville has privately mentioned Gus Malzahn and Chuck Long as candidates he'd be interested in talking with. KS hasn't been the most reliable journalist of late, but I think these are likely candidates.
Tub said Slaughter had a family emergency.
Malzahn runs the type of offense that Tub wants to run, so I can see him considering him.
Hornet, i just miss ya buddy. ha.
Sensi, i agree on your call. Fulmer barely had any support up here last year when he won the East. when UT lost to UCLA in the first game this year it was pretty much a done deal at that point. his support was pretty much non-existant after that.
He probably just didn't want to be associated with that pathetic performance.
Malzahn's offense won't work at AU...another finesse offense. We still won't have the players for that type of O next year.
Nix for OC huh? Not sold on that yet. A few points to consider however:
1. He (obviously) has AU roots.
2. He has recruited roughly the same areas while at GT and Miami, albeit a different subset of player types (Nerds and Thugs).
3. We'd open up a nice pipeline to one of the best HS football squads in GA at Northside in Warner Robins where Nix's dad is HC.
4. His offenses at GT and The U haven't been that great.
5. He's not a "guru".
6. We always hire "gurus".
7. Only if we can get Frank Sanders to be our new WR coach!!!!
Nix= mediocre OC and QB.
krewe, Tuberville will likely be returning. If they were going to do something they would have likely done it during the season. Clemson and UT got a big jump in terms of finding coaches, so more than likely Tuberville will be around, although I think next season may be his last without dramatic improvement.
I would be a bit surprised if he got canned at this point, but not totally shocked.
Nix would have been a really good QB in the offense that we ran in 1993 with Dye's players, but starting in 94 Bowden wanted to move to a big passing attack and Nix wasn't the best QB for that. He would have excelled in the offense we ran prior to Bowden taking over...or in the offense we ran under Borges.
I agree with Seeker that Mazaltov's offense wouldn't work at AU... it didn't work at Arkansas and Nutt tried to force the schemes together there too.
I liked Mazerati earlier, but the more I recall the mess at Arkansas, the more it reminds me of our own situation this year. Offensive GURU brings in hot QB recruit to run fancy-pants offense...sound familiar? Mazalotovran was gone in a year along with the QB and a WR. Nutt purged his staff to try and save his job and held on another year...sound familiar?
Clemson and UT both hired coaches that I doubt Auburn would even go after, so I don't think that is that big of a deal.
Yeah, Hire Nix. Tyrone Nix. Patrick sucks as an offensive coordinator. Maybe he could try defense since he is so good at keeping the offense out of the endzone.
I recognize the Sanders comment as what you humans refer to as a "Joke", but at least he could catch - Our current WR's could not catch an STD at an Orion space port.
Malzahn's offense didn't work at Arkansas because Nutt didn't allow it to. The best I can remember, Ark was 8-1 (eventually 10-1) with Mitch Mustain running that offense and then Nutt started making changes to it and they didn't do as well after that.
Mustain was a hot shot recruit, Chris Todd was nowhere on the radar.
But there are a lot of similarities.
The Gus Malzahn "disaster" at Arkansas lead to a 10-4 season and a trip to the SEC title game.
They lost the opener to USC and won the next 10. After being 7-1 or 8-1, Nutt decided to fix the offense and they lost their last 3.
Jay, the earlier '09 predictions were based on CTT staying. If he leaves forget everything I said. If he stays I stick by them, because I can already hear, "we've only been running this new offense for _ months, you can't expect miracles. Or first downs for that matter."
Tubs is losing support by the hour!
To Paraphrase John Lennon.....
All I am saaaaayyyying is give Nix a chance.
OK - Definitely the last pop culture reference for the day.....(Unless I think up something else really pithy)
Krewe: Better get ready to be shocked. Prepare for that.
As for the offseason ... I do the best I can with very limited material. Also, I take my entire vacation allotment (four weeks) between June 1 and July 15.
Pat Nix does nothing for me as an offensive coordinator. Miami is below average in terms of running, passing and yards.
They're average in scoring.
Would love to see Malzahn, but I think as earlier posters noted his experiences at Arky would probably not encourage him to come to a similar mess. I also wonder if CTT has an unlimited budget for new staff. Seems TPTB would be hesitant to open the purse strings considering the two OC's they are currently paying not to coach.
So Jay, you're saying Tub is going to be retained?
No. I'm just saying ... it absolutely would not shock me to see him stay.
Nothings shocking anymore.
If they told me they were doing a Dirty Santa Christmas job exchange with all of the coaches at Auburn this year, I'd believe them.
Krewe's assessment of the situation is quite logical; however, JGT is correct in that CTT goes nowhere, for now......Knox, Ensminger, & Nall Are all in serious jeopardy - Gran's saving grace is his penchant for coaching up NFL calibre RB's. My caveat to that is that they were already NFL calibre RB's and Gran just happend to be the coach, but What do I know?
I think it very likely that Tuberville will be retained, but you never can tell. He seems willing and ready to make changes, so I expect him to get the shot.
On the other hand, if he comes off as stubborn and blaming with the Jays, he could be gone.
Gran needs to feel some heat from the lack of consistency in the special teams since he inheirted the job.
"He seems willing and ready to make changes"
He always does...always ready to make enough change to save his butt.
WarEagleRK, I have been very pleased in general with the special teams play, other than Byrum. Our kickoff coverage was pathetic last season and was much improved this year. We had the best kick returners we have had in a long time. Overall the special teams has to grade out well, but as for Byrum, well, if he gets replaced, I will understand.
Jay _ I think UM's offensive woes can be tied to subpar recruiting..... I still think our talent is way better than our record indicates. Poor coaching and Chaos enabled at least 5 of those losses, maybe all of them. On paper, the biggest diff between us and UA is the QB position - Is JPW that much better than any of our QB's????
Tubs is staying...same mess next year. It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!
Finebaum said Tubs has "completely lost touch with reality". I couldn't agree more.
Gran did a terrible job this year. How many fumbles did we lose?
Mr. Spock, JPW is a world better than any QB we have at the moment. It isn't because of passing or running skills. It is because he has learned to make smart decisions. Above all, a starting QB is a decision maker. One of the best QBs I have seen at Auburn was Randy Campbell. He wasn't impressive passing or running, but he didn't make many mistakes. I think it was 1983 when we had 13 turnovers the entire season. JPW isn't a great QB, but he is much better than anyone we have at the moment.
As far as Malzahn...can you really trust a guy that would rather throw the ball than put it un Darren McFadden's hands??? Hiring him sounds like deja vu all over again.
JPW is a senior who doesn't make mistakes that kill you and who isn't afraid to throw the ball more than 5 yards downfield. Being a senior returning starter in the SEC is a big deal.
As far as special teams go, we have too many breakdowns in kick coverage. Vandy's 1st TD against us was set up by a poor attempt to cover a kick.
Our punting was good this year, but we had a few shanks that cost us.
KR's and PR's were great this year. Probably the best we've had combined in a long long time.
Place kicking was horrible and it is every other year.
Seeker - I don't remember Gran fumbling a single time all year. Now Lester & Fannin.....That's a different story. I don't blame Gran for our fumbles. That has not been a problem for us over the years - you do have to consider the track record he has had with that position.....It is a pretty good one overall.
Spock- Yes, JPW is better. I hope that whoever comes in is allowed to look at this team as a blank slate ie.. every position is up for grabs including QB. If Caudle or Trotter is better than Kodi, which shouldn't be difficult, then that's who should start. You can't worry about hurting someone's feelings. If you want to play then work harder and play better.
Spock you could have coached Caddy and Ronnie
Seeker, I agree, every position should be up for grabs, including position coaches.
Steve & RK - You make my point. JPW isn't the "better" talent wise QB - He was coached up way better than ours were and being a senior does not hurt either....I will take Kodi's skill set over that of JPW's anyday -
Kodi can't throw a spiral.
Spock, I agree that Kodi is more talented than JPW. That actually has been one of my points. This team has talent, but we haven't utilized it very well.
Seeker, Kodi throws bullets, which is part of the knock on him. He sometimes throws bullets to guys 5 yards away from him.
Kodi does have alot potential...but so did Leon Hart
Auburn Undercover's Scott believes that the Tuberville, Gouge, amd Jacobs have either met today or are meeting right now.
Scottie B - HABOTN shirts arrived in WV today. They are fantastic. Thanks so much for your hard work!
We need a REAL QB coach, not some nutjob like TF, someone who knows how to coach.
I would have steered them into a career in the Science Department, but that NFL gig has worked out pretty good for them both.
Did you see Caddy's return to action Sunday - He scored a TD and Ronnie threw a great pass in Miami's game.
John Parker Wilson is significantly better than anything Auburn has right now. That seems plain-as-day obvious to me.
Scott Brown from Auburn Undercover
Scottie,
Just an FYI to let you know I got my shirts in the mail today! I needed some post Iron Bowl cheer and this was certainly it.
I would model one and take a pic, but I don't want my fellow hotties to have their stomach's turned anymore than they already have been over the past few months.
First things first:
MY T-SHIRT CAME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job Scottie B! You deserve your own category on the ring of fire!
I hope he does interview Shayne Montgomery. I remember him being the hot name when we hired Borges. If I remember correctly, he had an interview scheduled with us but Miami's HC took the Indiana job and they named him HC before he could interview. Malzahn and Long would be solid choices too. The 6 million dollar question is when does AU make some sort of announcement about TT's future?
Ronnie throws a better ball than Kodi
Greg McElroy ain't too shabby either.
OT -- Scottie B ... just got my shirt and it is GREAT!! Good quality and fits according to size ... Once again thanks to all that made this happen and look forward to seeing a bunch of them around!!
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming!
Scottie B...just sent in my order.
OK, if Monica got her t-shirt in West By God Virginia, mine better be here today! Dang late mailman...
Patrick Nix is certainly welcome to call plays in the press box -- as Stan White's replacement.
I like Stan White. He doesn't sugar coat
Firing Tubbs now would throw this program into a complete state of chaos.
Fire him now and wipe the slate clean and you immediately move the program into "rebuilding" mode.
Keep him on and there is a chance he could restore things next year. The percent chance that would occur is anyone's guess, but I think that number is what TPTB will use as a guide on what to do with Tubs. If they decide he has a low chance of returning the program to success, they fire him.
In my opinion TPTB will look at a few key indicators in guaging CTT's ability to right the ship:
1. wins and losses aka track record
2. program stability, i.e. ncaa infractions, graduation rates, etc
3. public perception of team. (this relates directly to the amount of $$$ the AD makes off the team).
If 2 out of 3 are in bad shape CTT is out. I'd say he's in good shape with #2. #1 is iffy and will be a subject of much debate. #3 WAS good, but after this seasons debacle is slipping, although I'm pretty sure we still made bank from TV contracts, SEC.
HABOTN tees have hit the southeast? ausome. glad to know i didn't screw that up. ha.
JD ...
We be chaotic right now. We've already thrown ourselves there.
Tubs and Lowder are going to rock, paper, scissor to see if he stays or goes.
Scottie B,
I came in from work today and the shirt was in my mailbox.
That was fast.
Speaking of John Parker Wilson, when was the last time Auburn had a quarterback with a mullet? ... Ladies and gentlemen, I think I've found our problem.
JDin Macon - What type of mode or we in now?
"I will take Kodi's skill set over that of JPW's anyday"
I'll take JPW's 12-0 this year over Kodi's skill set. Potential just means you haven't done anything yet.
"Firing Tubbs now would throw this program into a complete state of chaos."
Why? If we make the right hire as proven by other teams, no reason why you can't turn it around rather quickly.
The Seeker said...
Tubs is staying...same mess next year. It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!
You must know something The People Involved don't know.
Well said RK!
Wow, Mr. Spock.
That's quite a statement there. Not exactly saying Kodi Burns is better than Wilson, but headed that direction.
You must see a lot of stuff I don't.
In Tuberville's 10 years we have: 2 years of not going to a bowl game and 3 years of going to December bowl games. For him to say we have had 8 good seasons under him is a blatant lie.
The People Involved should have moved weeks ago if they were planning to.
I would take JPW over Kodi. I would take Glen Coffee over Ben Tate. I would take Alabama's o-line over Auburn's. I would take Julio over ???, I don't think Auburn has a top receiver. I would take Gilbert Arenas over Robert Dunn. I would take Rashad Johnson over Mike Mcneil.
Man how things have changed in this state.
Bartender,
I'll have whatever Mr. Spock is having.
Count me as a member on the G.Malzahn or C.Long bus. Both will work at AU. You guys say it won't work with what we have, but look at what we have recruited. Anybody honestly think AU can run a power I set next year. No way.
A version of the spread is here. Drop the rest of old AU style stuff. It isn't coming back with this coach. IF, a big if, it works and they can put up some numbers, everybody is happy.
Jay knows something about Malzahn. His folks are Tulsa fans.
Remeber Malzahn had Felix Jones and McFadden at Arky and Nitt wanted to run, run, run. We do not havr that type of back, nor have we recruited that type of back.
Originally known as Jet G. Ate, I am shocked -- shocked! -- that anyone would suggest Auburn be making plans for a new coach before the season ended!
I think Kodi has potential as a QB, but the lack of a coach teaching said skill set means no growth.
John Parker Wilson is an OK QB, and that is all Alabama required this season... A QB that made no mistakes. His NFL career will be shorter than the stay of a Defensive Coordinator at Auburn.
This season ended in nashville 8 weeks ago
That's supposed to be Javier Arenas. Although, I would probably take Gilbert over Robert Dunn as well.
JPW has no shot at the NFL
I would take Bama's no name white guy at right tackle over anyone on our o-line
As bad as Kodi has looked, we have never seen him play with a competent running game, so it is hard to compare him to John Parker Wilson.
That being said, after two weeks of prep time, he looked completely lost and shaken on Saturday. Nick Saban can do that to people. I won't write Kodi Burns off yet, but I have the pen in my hand.
If Kodi can't overcome his nerves and calm himself down during a game, he'll never reach anywhere near his potential.
The best way to calm nerves is to be prepared. I would say Kodi was unprepared.
Jay-
After several listens I have decided Chinese Democracy is a good CD. I just consider it an Axl solo album, not G'n'R
If by Kodi being unprepared, you mean the entire team being unprepared, then I agree.
I would agree with that Seeker.
How about the 6 pages of song credits and thank yous that are in it. No way you can call it a band when you have that many people playing on different songs.
Is Tubs about to get the ax?
Do you guys think OC should be qb coach? I was just thinking it might be better to have OC that coaches another position. That way QB coach could spend all of his time developing our qb instead of game planning and such.
Axl has 13 years of interchanging musicians to thank. My first concert was G'n'R/ metallica on my 17th birthday at the superdome...good times
Was that before or after James Hetfield was set on fire in Montreal?
My friend and I got tickets to the revamped G n R concert in Biloxi a few years ago. My friend was a hardcore fan. Anyway, Axl stopped singing and various venues were rioted at and they canceled the Biloxi show. So sad.
Followed up on my last post. Oklahoma
OC fulback and tight ends coach. Works for them.
After...Hetfield was just singing and some guy that had to be 6'8" was playing guitar for him. Axl is a prima donna. There were several riots on my tour due to his antics.
Got my t-shirt Scottie! Thanks. Now I think my husband wants one...
Don't think it'll shock that many people if CTT stays...but the man better invest in a pair of asbestos sneakers because his feet are gonna be held to the fire if things don't start improving.
And I meant to post my previous comment after Jay's comment at 2:20 pm but I got pulled into something at work...Won't let a little thing like my job get in the way of a HABOTN post again!
Who's gonna hold his feet to the fire?
Who's doing that now?
The fans? Tubs doesn't give a Jason Bosley adjective about that.
New thread up. That's the best I can do tonight.
deff. doesn't sound good for tubs..they went there seperate ways,stalling..
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