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12.10.2008

Wednesday roundup

Hey everyone. We're now half-way through Day Seven of Auburn's search for a new football coach. Honestly, the picture isn't much clearer to me now than it was a week ago.

Here is the updated list of confirmed interviewees:
  • Derek Dooley, Louisiana Technical Institute head coach
  • Turner Gill, U. Buffalo head coach
  • Patrick Nix, U. Miami offensive coordinator (possibly by phone)
  • Rodney Garner, U. Georgia assistant/recruiting coordinator
*The (Muncie, Ind.) Star-Press, a fellow Gannett paper citing unnamed sources, is reporting that Ball State coach Brady Hoke has interviewed.

*We also have unconfirmed reports that Tulsa coach Todd Graham is talking with Auburn.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON, JAY?: I've told you since the beginning that I'm 95% sure Auburn had its man targeted and vetted before the search began. Why all this talk about the guys you see above?

This is just how things work. Auburn's search is following the same script followed in 1998. We learned much later that Tommy Tuberville had been targeted and vetted long before he was announced as the Tigers' coach in late November that year. Yet we spent most of that "search" talking about guys like Pat Sullivan, Bobby Wallace, Tommy Bowden (then coaching an undefeated Tulane team), George O'Leary and Mike Cavan.

I still can't believe I wrote about Mike Cavan.

I've seen a lot of hand-wringing about these candidates. Someone emailed me and said this list sounds like something Mississippi State would assemble. My advice: Wait until the search has concluded before making serious assessments. I'm not trying to be Mr. Know It All here. It's just that I can sense that plenty of action is going down in private -- out of the media spotlight -- and that's the information you'll ultimately use to judge Jay Jacobs' work.

See what I'm saying?

77 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, to change the subject, let's vent about the less than stellar slate of bowl games.

You can download this clip from The Gridiron Breakdown about it HERE.

Let me know what you think either here or through email at gridironbreakdown@yahoo.com and as always, thanks for your support.

12:30 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm really geeked about Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech in Shreveport.

I hope they have enough hotel rooms.

12:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about that thriller in BHam between NC State and Rutgers?

Good luck selling that.

12:34 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

... but there's free pizza involved!

12:37 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Well, I ain't doin' it ... unless they kick in a 2 liter of Dr Pepper and some cheesy bread

12:38 PM  
Blogger FSJ said...

Maybe Jay...

The first year, they didn't have any pizza.

Caused a big stink in Bham.

12:38 PM  
Blogger AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...

Jay G.,
I totally agree, this is too public of information for Auburn to be letting things out like this in the press. AU is also getting hammered by the media for being so public, it will be really surprising how all the "talking heads" do an about face once AU announces the New Coach...
Then and only then can we judge how Jay Jacobs handled the search.

12:39 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Maybe they can pay a flat fee for the one-day liucensing rights to Pizza Hut's "P-Zone".

That seems like an SEC entree.

12:40 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I see people chastising Auburn for being unprepared -- I'm talking directly about Trev Alberts -- and it makes me laugh.

I'll give you a George Foreman GUAR-ON-TEE that there was an intricate plan in place before Tuberville resigned.

I don't know what it is.

I've been covering this program long enough to know the plan exists, though.

12:42 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I do believe Jay is correct in his assessment. The guys that have interviewed aren't those who will likely get the job. To say that the list looks like something MSU would put together is fair.

My guess is that there are likely a couple of big name coaches being pursued behind the scenes. Only if one of them doesn't work out, will this list come into play.

I also don't believe it will be Fisher or Muschamp.

12:42 PM  
Blogger Josh in Leeds said...

I bet they are just waiting for the smoke to clear and things to calm down before informing everyone Petrino will be coming back to the plains.

12:44 PM  
Blogger wtc said...

Just reading between the lines on your mesage up front, but are you guaranteeing it is and always has been Muschamp?

Wow, Jet, Eddie and I can sleep now 'cause it is over.

It may be just me but that was my interpretation of what you wrote.:)

12:44 PM  
Blogger FSJ said...

No plan = Most of Alabama's coaching searches


Auburn is very shrewd in this manner. There was nothing wrong with their plan in 2003 except that you broke the code.

12:44 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

So... while Jay Jacobs is "secretly" interviewing all of these smokescreen/courtesy candidates, Lowder is hashing out the contract details back home with whoever he has chosen.

12:46 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I wasn't saying anything about Muschamp ... even subliminally.

With that said, he's not off the HABOTN Big Board just yet.

12:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JGT - After all is said and done, do you think that it will make complete sense to the point where we recover from being bashed? I know eventually time heals all and winning heals it faster.

12:47 PM  
Blogger wtc said...

Oh yea, I also read into that message that spot gas was .75 a gallon and O'Bama was going to spread the wealth by taking away someof UAT's wins and giving then to AU and we all can go to a bowl game.

Did I miss anything?

12:47 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

D. Miller, something like that.

12:48 PM  
Blogger wtc said...

Jay, all of that was a joke.

12:48 PM  
Blogger wes said...

This may be old news. Did anyone see where Hugh Nall gave an interview to the Albany Herald? I thought it was a good read and well written...I mean not as good as anything JGT writes, but you know, acceptable.

12:49 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

AU1N04 ...

"Wins cover sins." -- Quentin Riggins ... and many others.

I'm thinking about remaking the Budweiser "Dude" commercial with "Boom" as the operative word to describe my range of emotions.

12:49 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Auburn isn't being bashed more than expected.

You knew that Tuberville being out would start the whole "wow, college athletics sure is messed up" chorus. It's the same people who bellyached about Saban getting his $4 million two seasons ago.

The Tuberville protest? Come on. You think that matters?

12:50 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

The protest ... that didn't even comprise half a History 101 class at Auburn.

It looked the line at Chick-Fil-A for lunch.

12:51 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Mr. Sensible, I'm particularly fond of the Sugar Bowl, I mean what could be a better matchup than SEC RUP and UTAH?!

12:51 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Jay, the protest only matters if there was a keg involve and the topless for Tuberville campaign went well.

12:51 PM  
Blogger michael said...

I know how we can tell if this was all part of a big plan. If Jay Jacobs shows up to the podium at the coach unveiling press conference dressed like Hannibal from the A-team, and then he takes the cigar out of his mouth and says, "I love it when a plan comes together," then we will know it was all part of a big plan.

12:51 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Ya gotta know the Bourbon Street Chamber of Commerce was particularly pleased when Utah got the bid.

The economy just keeps getting worse.

12:52 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Well good news for them, plenty of UAT nation should head down there to cover up for the less than stellar Utah delegation.

12:53 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

By the way, the Sugar Bowl will be an instant replay of last years Sugar Bowl. If I understand correctly, the same guy that called the Hendenburg disaster will be calling the game. Oh, the humanity.

12:53 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

It will end up being like UGA and Hawaii last year, I'm afraid.

12:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jet - I like the idea...BOOM...Boom was the hammer on xCTT and BOOM theres the next new HC?

JGT - Regarding the white noise after the fact...yes I figured that chorus would sing loud and proud, well good, keep it white noise.

12:54 PM  
Blogger Alan said...

You make too much sense.

Please stop Jay!

12:55 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

1986 Cotton Bowl on CBS-College. Auburn vs. Texas A&M. My lunch break is now going to be a little bit longer.

12:58 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

So Jay, you mentioned a big board, can you give us your hypothetical Top 5 on HABOTN Big Board?

12:59 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Shesaid, if you watch too much of that game, you should expect to see your lunch again.

1:00 PM  
Blogger shesaid said...

I just wanna get my Bo Jackson fix for now.

1:04 PM  
Blogger AUTGR91 said...

Can't see for smoke (read *$!@) in my eyes! Jay the "HABOTN HC Big Board" is begging for launch.

1:06 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Bo did have a great play on a screen pass that he took for 75 yards in that game.

1:07 PM  
Blogger Just Win AU said...

Dan Mullen to Mississippi State

1:10 PM  
Blogger E-Bro said...

I live out in Colorado and Mountain West country and have watched Utah play a few times and while I do expect Bama to beat them fairly handily, I don't expect a UGA-Hawaii type game. I don't think Utah's offense will be able to do much, but their defense is pretty solid and will probably keep them in the game for a little while at least.

1:12 PM  
Blogger FSJ said...

Freddie Weygand:

From the great city of Gadsden.

Bo is the only one on the field that is as big as today's players..

He was a freak of nature.

1:14 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I can understand then love for Turner Gill, but a few times this week people have said they knew when Buffalo came to Auburn in 2006 that he would be a great coach.

Final score Auburn 37 Buffalo 7. This was at a point when we all knew Auburn's offense wasn't that good at all.

I see the love for him, I really do, but I find it funny some are basing their opinion of a game that they probably didn't see.

1:15 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

RK I saw that game, that was a bad one...but I attributed it to one of those Tubershell-we-spent-5-min-gameplanning for this one type deals.

1:17 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

The difference between Alabama this year and UGA last year in the Sugar Bowl is that UGA was trying to prove they should have been in the national title game after not getting to play in the SEC title game. They were on an emotional high.

Alabama will be coming in having lost the SEC title game and losing out on a chance to play for the national title, so not as motivated.

1:17 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

I have no love for Saban, but I have a feeling he will have his boys ready to play...anything else would be a huge shock to me after the season they've had.

1:18 PM  
Blogger BinOBA said...

That sugar bowl matchup is as crappy as it comes, i see it as the "Inconsequential Bowl" sponsored by the church of latter day saints and wal-mart.

1:26 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Jay G.,
What is the deal with MSU? Yesterday it was reported/believed that Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma OC, was signing papers to be hired at MSU as their HC. Today it is being reported/believed that MSU has signed up Dan Mullen, Florida OC, to be their HC.
Which is it?

1:27 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Seriously, how does MSU nail down a guy before we do? Think they will run the Single Wing/Spread attack or will he modify for MSU talent?

1:38 PM  
Blogger BinOBA said...

MSU done Mullen it over, hire mullen from uf, good for MSU.

1:38 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

"I see it as the "Inconsequential Bowl" sponsored by the church of latter day saints and wal-mart."

Classic. You could sub Piggly Wiggly for Wal-Mart, too.

1:43 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

Todd Graham, jess sayin.

1:43 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Sean - I held off the presser for you. Did you do the same for me or has someone been hired since Noon EST?

1:44 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

shesaid, you don't want to watch that cotton bowl.

1:44 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Mark, if you don't mind, sell me on Graham.

1:44 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Monica, the only new news is MSU has a coach, we still don't.

1:45 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

aight

1:45 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

I saw on a blog, that Graham was the last official interviewee and then TG would be announced sometime later this week. Doubt it, but I thought I'd share.

1:47 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Doug, if you're reading this, please stop with the scientology babble. Describing that religion as "wacky" is remarkably insulting to those people.

Good golly.

1:49 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

Scientology was created by a science fiction author and has the galactic overlord xenu involved. With that being said to each their own. I will continue to be a Catholic/Jedi

1:53 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

May the force be with you...

1:54 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

...Amen!

1:55 PM  
Blogger WDCWE said...

And also with you...

1:55 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

i think this post needs a jerrys kids recap

1:57 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm Catholic. I always hear the rumor that we pray to Mary. No, we ask for her intercession, not her blessing.

On with our regularly schedule programming...

1:57 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Taylor, one of the HOTTIES said he found the "Jerry's Kids" summaries mildly offensive. He had a point.

That initiative has been discontinued.

1:58 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

So Jay, are you saying you're clear?

1:58 PM  
Blogger Chris in Inverness said...

Guys, I won't tee tee on the Papa John's bowel.

My wife, who's 7 mos preg ordered a carry-out from the one on 280 and had my 5 yr old with her.

Well she paid & they let her wait 15/20 minutes, and then told her they were making it because a driver took it.

A 10" cheese effin pizza.

Plus, my wife said that was the SECOND time that had happned.

1:58 PM  
Blogger weagle251 said...

Curses! I wasn't fast enough.

1:59 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

10-4 Jay. So who are the real, secret candidates?

2:00 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Yes, who's on the Jay G Big Board?

2:01 PM  
Blogger tigerfan44 said...

I also was watching 1986 cotton bowl and I have question. Why and when did players quit wearing elbow pads.

2:06 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Instead of "jerry's kids," which I guess, if you want to reach, could be deemed offense ... how about the "Washed, Waxed and Dried Version" in honor of the Joe Cribbs' Car Wash?

2:18 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Just had a good interview with Hugh Nall.

One thing you can about him: He keeps it straight.

You'll enjoy reading this one.

2:26 PM  
Blogger Hornet said...

Jay - how bout some highlights from the Nall interview to liven up the day?

2:39 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Buffalo News reporter tells me there is NO news up there on Turner Gill right now. duh

2:57 PM  
Blogger Zimas4Ziemba said...

You know what momma used to say: the darker the berry, the sweeter the coach!

Mr. Jacobs,
Hire Turner Gill, then you may chill!!

3:13 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Marty Schottenheimer

3:20 PM  

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