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12.15.2008

Things I learned today

Hey everyone. I had a chance to talk with Jay Jacobs and Gene Chizik away from the cameras for a bit after the press conference and gleaned some fairly useful information.

I'll just let it fly.
  • So what about Chizik's staff?: The head coach revealed very little about his plans there. It's going to be him, Joe Whitt Sr., Phillip Lolley and Jimmy Perry on the recruiting trail starting this afternoon. Those three guys have high visibility among Alabama high school coaches and it's clear that Chizik wants to start exerting more influence inside Alabama.

  • Cash money: Jacobs again said money will be no object when it comes to hiring assistants. He said that about the head coach, too, so I'd understand your caution. Still, I believe this will be a rich staff of assistants once it's all said and done.

  • Pat Dye sighting: He was all over today, which is highly unusual. He was overheard telling someone: "This is the most welcome I've been here in 12 years." I thought that was interesting. He is very pro-Chizik. Why? "He's everything Jay said he was."

  • 5-19?: Jacobs said Chizik essentially mortgaged the Cyclones' present to make them better in the future. The team played a lot of true freshmen this season. Jacobs said after confirming that plan with other ISU people, he basically considered Chizik's record irrelevant.

  • Barkley's comments: Jacobs didn't want to talk about that. He reiterated his "best fit for Auburn" mantra and moved on to the next question.

  • Tuberville staff changes: Someone (thoughtfully) asked Jacobs if Tuberville had been willing to fire people prior to his resignation. "Tommy, two weeks ago, he told me of certain changes he was going to make. And then...you know the story."

  • Mo' money: Chizik apparently never asked Jacobs about money. I asked Gene about that and he gave me a stern look before insisting that he "doesn't coach for money." OK. I guess that means he's willing to donate much of his $2 million salary toward feeding the homeless.

  • Lookin' out my back door: I was a little troubled (comically) by Jacobs' repeated references to eschewing "back door" negotiations with coaches. Auburn is proud of having handled this search above board, which is commendable, but is it that big of a deal?

  • Q on the spot: Jacobs said Quentin Riggins, quite possibly the world's most likable sideline reporter, participated in all interviews. Participated in the decision? Jacobs didn't address that. Did Silvio Dante help make decisions? I remember Tony making the calls.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

515 Comments:

1 – 200 of 515 Newer› Newest»
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice work as always Jay. So Jay, what do you think?

3:31 PM  
Blogger Alan said...

Man o man Jay,

This cowboy needs a drink.

3:31 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

I'll actually buy the part about the record. I can see where he's coming from there. I still don't think it was a good hire, but I can understand it.

3:33 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

c'mon jay, give us an opinion. Besides it is controversial.

We all know it is the most controversial hire in AU history.

What are your impressions? Barfield, Dye, Shula, Price, Bowden, Tubs, Stallings.

3:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder if Chizik will pull a Saban move and ban the inside access the media have to the program. Just to get things under his control more.

3:34 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

for all of the sunshine pumpers saying " he is qualified" compare him to Gary Patterson, Paul Johnson or Bob Petrino.

3:35 PM  
Blogger RunInRed63 said...

It saddens me to say, I think Pat Dye is part of the problem.

3:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well at least AU is in the news? Any pub is good pub, right?

3:39 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I can't make meaningful assessments on this hire.

I was surprised, shocked, flabbergasted like most of you all were initially. If Auburn truly is serious about flooding the program with major-league assistants, I think the possibility of significant success exists.

I have a hard time wiping away the 5-19, though. That's an albatross.

3:42 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Mark,

I'll make the comparison, and it'll be in your favor if you will ever post anything positive about anything.

Seriously, if some are "sunshine pumpers" you are the "doomsday deliverer".

Deal?

3:42 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

"Auburn is proud of having handled this search above board, which is commendable, but is it that big of a deal?"

Exactly.

Look, Mama! I was a good boy for once. Give me a gold star!

3:43 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

I almost didn't recognize Dye he looked so bad on TV. Oh how the mighty have fallen. And gotten really, really old.

3:43 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

Couldnt agree more with Jay G.

5-19 is juat a tough pill to swallow.

dont you generally promote coaches after they have some success?

3:44 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

Is he qualified compared to Muschamp?

3:44 PM  
Blogger snydebt said...

Jay G:

Great "Silvio Dante" reference. As long as Chizik doesn't end up being a "Pauly Walnuts" I think we'll be okay. Great coverage as always.

3:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark - You are also asking to compare Chizik against people that were not coming to AU

3:45 PM  
Blogger Brad said...

Maybe the reason Dye didn't feel welcome is that the other HCs didn't feel like being backstabbed on a daily basis. Chizik will soon learn.

3:45 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Wow - What a comment by Dye. wow, wow, wow...

3:45 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

I'll be honest, I wasn't happy with the decision. Let me be honest again. I'm still going to go to as many home games as I can.

3:45 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm headed home.

I'll check back later this afternoon.

As always, thanks for visiting the HABOTN.

3:45 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

That Dye comment is quite the little nugget, Mr. Tate. Nice work.

3:46 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

"Is he qualified compared to Muschamp?"



Hard to say. Muschamp doesnt have two abysmal seasons of head coaching experience under his belt.

3:46 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

shesaid,


And that right there is why we will continue to get spoonfed BS on a daily basis. They KNOW people will show up regardless, so why give a damn what the fans want?

3:47 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Muschamp has zero seasons as a head coach, much less two at a lower level school.

Not saying I wouldn't take Muschamp over Chizik, but you can make an argument either way.

3:47 PM  
Blogger tigerfan44 said...

Lolley may help with Tana Patrick out of North Jackson. Lolley coached there and sure has good contacts in that area. Patrick would be a huge pick-up.

3:49 PM  
Blogger Struttinduck said...

"Q" participating in all interviews.

Our sideline reporter, who is not an employee of the university participated in the interviews!!!!

Above board - he who protests?

Go figure!

3:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well either way, I am glad it is flipping over. Because I got 7 months to wait before I find out how this pick was.

3:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:51 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

It's ironic that the AthDept didn't do anything underhanded during this search*, yet they left themselves open to get the Race Card thrown in their faces.

*That can be confirmed, anyway

3:53 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

I know what they're doing is BS. I'm woman enough accept the decision and move the eff on. Unless he pulls a Mike Price, we're stuck with him for at least a season or two.

3:54 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Monica ...

The "above board" search is a big deal ... it probably cost us our No. 1 target.

3:55 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"

apropos bumper music

3:55 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Great song, Monica.

3:55 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

You missed my point, Jet. Being above board shouldn't be the exception for which you seek reward. It should be the rule.

3:57 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Hip Hop- You so have me in your Amen corner. :-)

3:58 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

I didn't miss it, Monica. We just have too many rules. God gave us 10and we can't seem to handle those.

4:02 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

Thanks for the support Monica. Cant believe I havent been told I'm not a true Auburn fan yet.

4:02 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

I'm not going to apologize for being an eternally optimistic fan of the Auburn Tigers.

4:04 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

hiphop,
That's only because Steve took a break.

4:04 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Hip-Hop, you're ... not ... a ... true ... PSYCHO until your fandom has been called into question.

Even if I disagree ... this a good place to be. For the most part.

Hey, no one's called me Lowder today, so it's kinda slow really.

4:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I do thinking Chizik is very comparable to Muschamp. Chizik seemed like a bit better coordinator, but they were both great. As for Iowa State, those numbers aren't bothering me.

Now, as for comparing either of them to Petrino, Nutt, Tuberville, Miles, or Saban; they aren't in the same league. Maybe someday they will be, but it will take many seasons to find out. A couple of good seasons won't prove a thing.

As for how much time Chizik gets, 4 or 5 years is very likely at Auburn. We don't do the head coaching drive thru that many programs do.

4:05 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Sil was consigliare on decisions JaGee.


Any idea where they were headed first? North or south?

4:05 PM  
Blogger atlantatiger said...

Ya know i am starting maybe think this hire is ok....Lets see what kind of supporting cast he gets

4:05 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

Hiphop, we know you're a fan. You just have a different angle than I do. Like I just said before, I'm always the optimist. It helps me block out reality.

4:06 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Chizik has a better DC record than Muschamp.

Check stats. Oklahoma didn't start playing offense yesterday.

Neither did UGA.

4:07 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

shesaid,

Please, do not apologize for being an optimistic fan. It's an admirable trait. I'm just of the opinion that unless you care to take actions to change things you forfeit your right to complain about the results. And I mean that in the least mean spirited way possible, seriously.

4:07 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

What a day! I saw Dye at a restaurant few weeks ago and I say again, he looks like Gandorf the Gray. I didnt recognize him until he spoke to a friend of mine that was the starting RB for him. I think my friend almost didnt recognize him either.

4:09 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Why oh why hasn't the "Race card" been thrown at Syracuse - who didn't hire Turner Gill and HE COACHES IN THE SAME STATE? ? ? ?

Hmmm, they hired a guy from the Saints.

4:10 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

The thing with Chizik is, if he had not taken the Iowa St job people would be excited to be getting a top DC from Texas. The fact is he did take it and went 5-19. No getting around that.

4:11 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Did we think Pat Dye was ageless?

People get older as the years pass.

at least that's what I've been told.

4:11 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Chris - If I have to explain the difference in the OC coach from the Saints and the Iowa State 5-19 coach...well, I won't bother.

4:12 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Somehow I think peope underestimate the benefits of listening to the proper music. I am jamming to Led Zepplin/Kashmir and everything seems peach keen.

4:12 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

He's also the Head Football Coach at Auburn University - no getting around that either.

Nope.

Now, who on the HABOTN has said they were boycotting games and selling their season tickets?

I love how the radio is full of those of that ilk.

4:12 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Chris ...

On the feed today ... it looked Coach Dye was on the feed ... he should be able to make it through the winter.

He not only looked old, he looked ... HUGE.

4:13 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Depressed - Exactly. There's no getting around 5-19.

4:13 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

That's a good question about the race card, Chris.

4:13 PM  
Blogger AUWade said...

It would be great to get the best assistants out there, but would they want to come work for Chizik? I'm not sure Auburn's willing to spend "that" much money.

4:13 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Sorry Monica, I think the guy can coach football - period.

Don't bother explaining to me how hiring the OC from the New Orleans saints is better than Turner Gill because we know the OC from the Saints played at Syracuse.

I'm curious why outside the lines hasn't done a show about their hire, that's all.

4:14 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

steve ... now that's good music.

4:14 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

I;m not boycotting games, but I am not renewing my tickets. Well, that's my plan. My wife doesnt share my same convictions.

4:14 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Anyone here ever had to take a steriod for a health problem?

I had to take one once and I balooned up - prednazone - I think.

And I was 32 - hold old is coach Dye?

4:15 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Chris - Then why are you asking questions to which you think you already know the answer?

4:16 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I really don't understand getting depressed over football. I am now listening to The Beach Boys/Kokomo and everything is just swell.

4:16 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Good.

Add hipHop to the lists.

If Gene Chizik wins football games we'll remember those who quit during the tough times.

4:16 PM  
Blogger AURainman said...

What was the deal with Chiz constantly saying, "We're going to welcome back former players"? Did the previous staff REFUSE to hire Auburn players as coaches? Did Jacobs somehow impress upon Coach Chiz that this was a problem?

Bizarre.

4:16 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

Didn't we recently name the field at JHS after Pat Dye? he didn't feel welcome here,please! i'd almost feel sorry for him except he now has a hand in destryoing my University's football program.

4:16 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Monica, those are known as leading questions to allow people to draw their own conclusions from facts rather than emotion.

Anyone up for some Elton John?

4:17 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Chris - I'm adding you to my list too.

4:17 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

It's just a different look for him ... hey, I've spent my adult life running up from 180 to 290 ... I know the drill.

I'm 208 today ... my appearance is jarring to those who havent't seen me in a while, too.

But it's because I'm HOT! Not really.

4:17 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Monica - I'm asking about THE SYRACUSE HIRE.

Try and keep up - Why is AU's hire racists when Syracuse had the chance to hire Gill first and passed for a white guy who wasn't a HC?

4:17 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

I've enjoyed my time of the Whiniest Auburn Board on the Net

WABOTN - War Eagle.

Enjoy your misery.

4:19 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

it's because auburn is in alabama, and i'm not sure it would have been a big deal if Barkley would not have said anything

4:19 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Harrison - Pat Dye is another who has fallen victim to his own ego. He didn't know to get out while the getting was good and now he's killing a lot of his good will. Although he's obviously still wielding power.

4:19 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Congrats Chris, it appears you made the list.

Currently listening to The Trashmen/Surfin Bird. Pretty upbeat.

4:19 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

thanks Chris

4:20 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

You're right Mon. I wonder how many people may have changed their opinion on Pat Dye. I'm not sure what to think

4:20 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Yes, Charles Barkley committed stupicide, but that is the way it goes. Everyone makes mistakes sometime. You just have to move on.

4:21 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

My guess is that Pat Dye would have to do a whole lot more to empty his goodwill account with Auburn fans.

Even if he is a fatty these days.

4:21 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

you're probably right jet. but really clever guys like myself see right through it

4:23 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

We sure could use more clever guys around here.

4:23 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Stay classy, Harrison.

4:23 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Chris Im sure if Syracuse had a recent history of frat partys with people in blackface and kkk robes they would be getting the race card treatment too

4:24 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

hip hop isn't quitter, just momentarily stunned and over reacts.
In '99 I threw ticket form in trash. I told Mrs. THT and she went and dug it out. In '01 I did the same thing but didn't even tell Mrs. THT. She still found it and sent it in. Thank goodness. I have been, am, and always will be a HUGE Auburn fan. Sometimes that causes massive disappointment (a la '99 and '01) that leads to little temper tantrums. One day I'll grow up. But it doesn't mean I'm a quitter on Auburn.

4:25 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Chris is another one, BigCat. Pointless.

4:25 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Tar - so there's NOTHING Auburn could do to make you cut ties?

4:25 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Yea Mon I'm making my list too...and checking it twice lol

4:26 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

LOL

4:26 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Hey, all you Santas out there!

Am I on the naughty list?

The nice list?

The clever list?

The pointless list?

The misguided list?

The sunshine list?

The doom list?

The grassy knoll list?

Too many lists for me to keep up with.

4:28 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Monica, I do agree that people that are unhappy with Auburn should cut ties and just move on or do something positive to encourage change.

Hmmm, Listening to Miracles by Jefferson Airplane. Somehow it seems very appropriate.

4:28 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

is there a sh** list?

4:28 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Yes Harrison, that was the list used to select the new coach.

Sorry, had to say it:)

4:29 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Harrison ... absolutely.

4:30 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

great answer.

4:30 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Mon-
Nothing. Same with Mrs. THT. We both sometimes wish there was so we could get a life, especially given the inconvenience of being 500 miles away. But the reality is, there's just something about AU that will always and forever keep us emotionally attached. Sort of like with me and Mrs THT.

4:30 PM  
Blogger hip-hopanonymous said...

Steve,

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be watching for this list.

If you believe that me not renewing tix is considered quitting, I don't really care. I don't really care what people that know me think of that decision, so I will add you to the bottom of my list. I,ll put your name on there as "some dude on the internet".

4:31 PM  
Blogger astatguy said...

Wooo Hoooo. I'm getting a leisure suit, growing some mutton chops, and getting ready to play some smash mouth football. I love the 80's.

4:32 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

SteveFC
- gotta love that kashmir and the Elton John, too. also love your witty banter and level temperament. WDE

4:33 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

I don't have a problem with not buying your season tickets as a way of protest. I also don't see it as quitting. I will be buying mine b/c Saturdays in the fall are my favorite time of year, no matter what dummy coaches my team

4:33 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

So, us whiners who disagree with the hire and the way it was handled need to pull for another team? I apologize for being such a drag on a program that is the best-managed and most envied in the country. Orange and blue kool-aid for everyone!!

4:34 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks TarHeelTiger. I am now listening to the Chizik theme song, I mean the Everly Brothers singing Let It Be Me. Pretty cool.

4:35 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Inverness Chris just likes to argue, I'm sure people have caught onto that by now.

4:35 PM  
Blogger George Huckabay said...

Found an interesting tidbit of information. According to the University salary data JJ makes 475k and Gouge makes 450k. That doesn't seem right to me.

4:36 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Paul Finebaum is a HOTTIE now.

4:38 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

barkley - yep, he has been for a while ;-)

4:39 PM  
Blogger McLovin said...

All I can say is either get on the boat or go root for the team across the state. If we don't rally around our team while the media rips us we aren't true Auburn fans. While I enjoyed TT it will be nice seeing some fire on the sidelines for a change. This is going to be an exciting offseason. War Eagle

4:39 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I would think people dissatisfied with the program would want to come up with a positive way to influence change at Auburn. I am not certain what that might be. Petitions aren't bad. Some way to let the administration know your disatisfied without damaging the university would be good. Possibly a Gene Chizil coolaid stand outside Jordan Hare would get the point across.

Now I am really rocking to one of the best songs in the world to sing drunk, Lola by the Kinks.

4:39 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Explosive words from the Iowa St AD:

"He's got to reconcile in himself what he told all these players and what he told our administration and what he's doing now. And if he can live with that, more power to him. I know Jamie Pollard couldn't have done that to this place."

Wow!

I sure hope Chizzy doesnt need that bridge in the future.

4:39 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

how that's Gov. Barkley?

4:40 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Finebaum really hasn't ripped into Auburn like I thought he would today.

I think he just feels sorry for us.

4:40 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

RK:

Please consider me a realist. Unfortunately, there has been absolutely no good news since Tubby began shopping his name last November for the Arkansas and A&M jobs.

I have been discontented since them with Tubs and the AD.

I was happy when Tubs was terminated; because, I did not think he was an auburn guy and was in it ONLY for the money.

Having said that, I do not like the hire. Don't get me wrong. I was not one of the guys sold on Gill; though, I think he would have created some buzz.

I think Petrino, Johnson and even Gary Patterson would have had much longer term success than any of the other names mentioned on this or other blogs.

I think some of the young program builders would have been good as well.

The current Utah coach might be incredible. Brady Hoke.

Absolutely no one was looking for Chisik.

4:40 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

BigCat - Ouch!

4:42 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

SteveFC,
I introduced my kids to the Kinks' Father Christmas and they love it. Hope you've got that one, too.

4:43 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Holy Chizik, I hope he enjoys the new sphincter that Pollard just provided.

4:43 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

hip hop

lol @ "dude on the internet"

4:44 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

TarHeelTiger, I would have to check through the MP3 collection. I don't recall it, but I have several thousand MP3s. I love to jam.

4:45 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

Sportscall just quoted Jay's blog in regard to Willis being told he needed to talk to Chizik. Would Jay ever go on their show to discuss AU?

4:45 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Mark,

Fair enough. I was just picking at you because it seemed anytime someone said something positive you'd jump in on them with the opposite.

4:48 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Fbaum just quoted Jay G.'s blog too.

4:48 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Mark ... for the first half of your post our thoughts are in perfect synch.

I would have been fine with Petrino and Johnson ... Patterson, not so sure.

I was the self-appointed leader of the Boom Wagon, convinced that if Tubs left a year ago, like I had hoped, then he would be the coach today, and we'd be in a better spot because we'd be pulling in the same direction.

I see what the plan was ... it was Boom ... so they decided to stick to the plan with someone who, in theory, is like him.

I'm not sure what Gill does except win the press conference.

I guess I'm just looking across the fence at someone who's angry today, and I'm trying to see where we have common ground. Looks like we have a lot more in common that I initally figured.

I think Chizik has a chance to be good. No guarantees.

4:49 PM  
Blogger McLovin said...

Good Finebaum if your reading this blog you are an absolute A@@clown.

4:51 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Have you guys noticed that Jay gets quoted by every media outlet out there when it comes to AU football news? TV,newspapers, blogs, radio... Jay you should be getting some kind of royalties for doing their leg work

4:52 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

is it me or does Chizik have a large melon?

4:54 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Rivals says bama's Coffee is jumping ship to the NFL along with Andre Smith.

4:55 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Interesting Monica. I had assumed Andre Smith was gone, but Coffee kind of surprises me. He did have a great season so it probably makes sense.

4:57 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

just part of the process aiight

5:00 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

aight

5:01 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

MOnica:

Is "aight" used frequently in W. BG Virginia, or is it merely Sabanesque?

5:07 PM  
Blogger csims4125 said...

In terms of the football staff, has there been any word yet on what Chizik is going to do with the members of the support/training staff? Is he going to hold onto Coach Yox and Chette Williams?

5:08 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Saban is from WV so they are one in the same.

5:09 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

i believe Yox will be retained, hadn't heard about Chette

5:09 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm now back and writing.

We probably need a consolidation campfire. I gotta check with Wifey first ... this may be my first night of relaxation since, oh, Nov. 14?

5:12 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I think Yox is staying.

Not sure about Chette.

5:13 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Anything new on the James Willis front?

5:14 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

Jet:

I just need time to vent. This is the week. I will be okay. I think he will solve my problem with Tubs and that is, he will be an AU man.

Unfortunately, that is not always enough. We will expect him to win.

Let's hope AU gets the wins. I really do not care who gets the credit.

5:16 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

WarEagleRK, since Chizik didn't mention Willis being on the recruiting trail, I would assume he is gone unless something comes of that conversation Jay reported.

5:17 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Mark ... can certainly deal with that ... your vent opened a window for me to see into .. that's all.

Earlier, it was just getting chippy amongst the Hotties.

Maybe it'll calm down and be issue driven again ... that's what I've like about the neighborhood.

5:25 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

what's the history of hoe whitt in 20 words or less?

5:30 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Joe Whitt senior was a linebacker coach, I believe under Dye and Bowden. My impression of him was that he was very good. He is the guy out recruiting.

His son, Joe Whitt junior coached at Louisville if I remember correctly and is known for being a great recruiter.

5:39 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

Mon, said ho. huh-huhhh, huh-huhhhh.

5:42 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

I am offically over it...

Mon-I have only glance through the comments but am I right in understanding that you are having a real problem with this hire b/c of the race thing? I agree it was a factor but not the final one (hope not anyway).

Time for a new avatar...Merry Christmas Hotties!!

5:43 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Mark - man,, I meant to say Joe lol
I'm in bed on drugs posting so you gotta cut me some slack.

Wartiger - I have a problem with the process and with the side by side comparison of candidates. I'll support Chizik and I hope the players have success.

Merry Christmas to you too, Wartiger

5:48 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

We're about to get smoked in every aspect of recruiting. I just hope we can beat out Larry Blakeny.

Ask yourself this question. If you were a recruit who didn't grow up an Auburn fan, why would you want to go to Auburn right now?

5:51 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

If race did play a factor, there is something terribly wrong at Auburn and some heads should roll.

Personally, I can see why Chizik was selected, so I don't have a problem with it.

I do wonder why people like Mike Leach or Paul Johnson weren't interviewd. I think I read that Leach was interested. His resume looks better than anyone I have heard of that we interviewed.

5:53 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Sorry barkley, but I am not really into the gloom and doom people and the alternate reality what ifs.

5:54 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

You answered my question without answering my question.

5:58 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

easy Barkley. Who wouldn't want to be part of the biggest train wreck in college football history?

5:58 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Steve, keepin' real as always, keep up the good work. At the end of the day, it's all we can do as fans, keep it real. The administration does need an overhaul but so do a lot of things in college football. I love it for better and for worse.

5:58 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Kris, with all due respect, the biggest train wreck in football belongs to Notre Dame. That train has been off the rails for about 15 years and not looking up anytime soon.

5:59 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I have read where Chizik's contract is rumored to be an incentive deal. I hope that is the case.

I consider the buyout clauses with no conditions kind of ridiculous. There should be some clause in there that should you lose more than 70% of your games you may be fired without notice and not allowed back in the atheletic department. Your things will be left on the curb.

6:00 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I am officially sulking and may not quit until next fall. I want to congratulate myself though in being correct in assuming that we would in fact make the dumbest hire on record. Like I said ... it is SOOOO Auburn. Truthfully though, this one shocked even me. I'm still dumbfounded.

War Eagle anyway - can't believe I have to watch this crap unfold. It ain't gonna be good.

6:01 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

True Ricky Bobby, but Notre Dame will have plenty of top ten classes waiting on their next head coach.

6:01 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

With you Phred. I will be working in the Gump soon and if you frequent any bars in the area look for me. I will be the only guy there still brave enough to wear his Auburn Alumni hat in public. Montgomery is a great place to drown one's sorrows.

6:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Phred, I think it was written in stone that this was going to be a disappointing hire. We weren't attracting top notch candidates and there are a lot of reasons. Auburn tends to shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly. We would have been sitting pretty if Tuberville had returned next season whether he flopped or not. Another losing season and he would have been gone without all the criticism. A decent season and he would have proven he could turn things around. The only danger would have likely been a 7 or 8 win season and him saying he needed one more year.

6:05 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

I think all coaching contracts should have incentive clauses

6:05 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

Mon-Once again I agree however the only way I can get over it is to truly realize that no matter to what it is out of my control. CGC gave a decent press conference today. So I am going from we be damned to let's wait and see. This guy might have something. Jacobs still seems a little incompetent but he's just doing a job so...whatta ya gonna do?

6:05 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Phred, haven't seen you on here in a while. I was starting to believe you jumped off a bridge or something.

6:06 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

Cole Cublic made a good point today on D&B..we are so willing to look at CTT's body of work but when it comes to CGZ we can't get past those two years??

6:09 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Well the bright side of this is I doubt it could get much worse. Although I said that after we got rid of Borges too. Who knew!

6:09 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

CGC* sheesh

6:10 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Becasue those 2 years ARE his body of work

6:10 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

I want people to stop trying to give this man HC cred for being a great DC. No matter how many times we put this cat in the oven he aint gonna turn into a biscuit. We got what we got so lets just play this hand out.

6:12 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

Steve, seriously are you this positive in all aspects of life, or does it apply only to Auburn football? I need some of whatever it is you are having.

6:14 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

I disagree man. I know there is a difference in HC and DC but the guy is a winner no matter how you slice it.. Maybe I bought into the "Blueprint" line but screw it..he's our coach and that's what he said..he also said he loft the program in better condition than he got it..I belive him..got to..WAR EAGLE.

Jay-Who asked that "How you left the Iowa State progam?" question anyway? Great question..

6:15 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

It's those orange and blue shades, man. Jacobs is passing them out for free if you want some.

6:21 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Wartiger you said it: there is a difference b/n a HC and DC. You cant get HC cred for the time you are not a HC. That's just the rule

6:22 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I've been studying Jay Jacobs and have come to the conclusion that he is David Housel's illegitimate love child.

6:25 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

lithium and depakote

6:26 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Sup Barkley ... I've been around. Just haven't had much to say lately. Not much to talk about, you know?

I am officially putting out an APB for Crudup. Where in the world is Willie J.?

6:28 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

FYI Ed Orgeron will join the U of Tenn staff as their recruiting coodinator. Tennessee is quitely building an all-star staff

Tennessee

6:30 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

Monica, I had to look those up, but sounds promising. I'll take a double of each.

6:33 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Ed Orgeron is a recruiting mastermind from what I've read. Looks like UT may be getting back on the right track.

We got chizzled....

6:33 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Yea Ed O was is a great recruiter from all accounts and was an outstanding DC. But he was a terrible Head Coa.... hmmmm lol

6:41 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

haldol

6:44 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

lol Depressed I'll hook ya up

6:44 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

AUBigCat,

I don't think Orgeron was a DC, he was just a DL coach when Ole Miss hired him.

6:47 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I'm going to hold off any judgment on Chizik as Auburn HC for a little bit.

It wasn't the home run any of us suspected, but far too many people are expecting the worst before we even see what kind of staff he puts together, much less ever fields a team.

6:48 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

excellent call harrison

6:50 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

i'm in the drug biz

6:51 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Vitamin H... good stuff

6:52 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

rep?

6:53 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

RK you're right DL.

I cant withhold my judgement of CGC's HC abilities because I think it's evident, but I will suspend that judgement and give him the benefit of the doubt that he will do good things here at AU.

6:55 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

pharmacist

6:57 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

This is very talented and funny video editing; check out the "wall art"

heckler throws shoes at Jacobs

7:00 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

AUBigCat,

I guess what bothers me, you had Turner Gill who was 7-17 in his 1st two years at Buffalo and tons of people were begging for him to be the guy named. All of this based on a pedigree from Nebraska and an 8-5 season this year where they beat nobody outside of Ball State.

The same people begging for him are the ones saying Chizik won't be able to win at Auburn because he was 5-19 at Iowa State in his 1st two years.

I'm not saying he's a great hire, he's not a flashy hire, hell he's not even on the list of guys I would have personally hired. However I think he'll be a good coach at Auburn if he hires the right assistants.

7:04 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

darn - rep = hawt
:-)

7:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I do find it interesting the Chizik didn't even ask Jacobs what his salary was going to be. Apparently he was eager to get this job.

7:06 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

RK Its all about perspective. TG was seen as on his way up. GC was headed in the opposite direction. Hiring the right staff would help him at AU but he had the 3rd highest budget for staff in the Big 12 and still couldnt get it down. I dont know how much faith I have in his hiring abilities.

7:10 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

my job is just nerdy huh?

7:10 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Apparently he knew his salary would be higher than what he was making.

7:10 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Tarheel that is just too funny. I'm really shocked that there were no secret service closer

7:12 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

WarEagleRK. a lot of this doesn't make sense. A lot of people wanted Muschamp with zero head coaching experience.

One of the things that frustrated me when reading about the candidates we interview is that none of them had built a decent history as a head coach. The guess with decent histories such as Leach, Patterson, of Johnson; we didn't want them.

It is pretty clear that Auburn was looking to take a chance here. I do see much of a difference between any of the candidates, so I suppose pation for Auburn is good enough to go with.

As for a good DC making a good head coach, that isn't a good assumption. The jobs are very different.

The one thing that is the same is recruiting. A good recruiter is welcome anywhere on the staff, but I would rather have a person who is more use to dealing with the full scope of a football program.

This is much like my career. I did the management path for a while and hated it. So, I went the consulting route and found my nitch.

7:12 PM  
Blogger Denny Crum said...

Reading some of these comments from some of you all. Let me just say,,,,you all need some Vitamin T.

Good point about Turner Gill. First two years at Buffalo, 7-17.

I am excited about Jeno.

Vitamin T for the uninitiated= Thorazine

7:13 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

RK, the difference between Chizik and Gill is the PR hit that we’re taking that WILL effect recruiting.

The difference in what they did in the past is that Gill would have left Buffalo better than he found it. Chizik only managed to make Iowa state worse.

7:14 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

AUBigCat, it does appear that Chizik made some mistakes on his staff at Iowa State. Someone on here mentioned he was forced to fire coaches, but from what I have been able to tell, he made the decisions. He fired two coaches and demoted both coordinators. There is good and bad in that.

His idea of playing the young players with the knowledge it would cost some games might not have been a bad idea. Apparently he didn't think the more senior players had what it takes and he looked to build for the future. What is the difference between being 2-10 or 4-8. I don't believe in levels of suck.

7:16 PM  
Blogger coosa said...

AU vs. TN is now playing on channel 613 on directv. That win wasn't properly celebrated when it happened; we didn't realize it would be the high point of the season.

I'm gonna watch it again and yell war eagle a lot.

7:16 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

pocket protector and all

7:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

barkley for governor, from what I understand Iowa State is in better shape than when he arrived. Apparently the school thinks so also, since that gave him a contract extension and are actually pissed that he is leaving.

7:17 PM  
Blogger Harrison said...

that was a brutal game to watch

7:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Monica, I work in my underwear. There is no place for a pocket protector.

7:18 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

his body of work has to include his time as a DC...you mean to tell me you are just gonna look at his HC record..c'mon this is the HABOTN we keep it real..his DC expierence and resume count..an undefeated season and a NC..it counts for something..
Look I am not anymore excited about this hire than the rest of you but it's what we got FOLKS..get used to it..get over it..or get off the wagon!

7:18 PM  
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