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1.06.2009

GMAC Bowl chatter

1/6/09, EVENING

Due to interest in Tulsa's GMAC Bowl appearance, we're creating this thread to discuss Gus Malzahn's final game before taking over Auburn's offense tomorrow.

Here are Tulsa's final numbers:

Tulsa def. Ball State, 45-13

RUSHING: 439
PASSING: 193
TOTAL OFFENSE: 632
TIME OF POSSESSION: 35:40
THIRD DOWNS: 9 of 18
TURNOVERS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

433 Comments:

AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: I'm a Man I'm 46!!!!!; 10:01 PM
DoWhat? said...: Yes Bryce Brown would be the perfect RB for Malzahn's offense, with his pass catching ability. I know he decommitted from Miami and was open as of the Army All American game. We need to send the Chiz, Malzahn,Luper,Boulware and a good serving of TT to get his attention.; 10:02 PM
AUBigCat said...: This is the first time I think I have seen true innovative run plays out of the shotgun.; 10:02 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: did I just hear Yale mentioned twice in less than a minute, for the same thing?; 10:03 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Maybe Tony Franklin is watching?; 10:03 PM
Unknown said...: Crap, it happened. I am finally starting to feel sorry for Ball State.; 10:03 PM
Monica said...: I've been trying to tell y'all that was an awful suit all night!; 10:03 PM
Unknown said...: AUBigCat, West Virginia does a lot of this too.; 10:04 PM
bharris007 said...: http://tulsa.rivals.com/commitlist.asp

QB Johnson - 2 Star
RB Adams - 2 Star; 10:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Ouch, Jay G. That'll put another cut on his head, man.; 10:04 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Malzie,

Welcome to the City Limits of Auburn.... don't worry you wont be stopped for speeding or running up the score on any of our Candy Arse Opposition!!!!; 10:04 PM
Unknown said...: Man, if I were the Ball State coach I would go Woody Hayes on that Ball State player with the big smile on his face.; 10:05 PM
AUBigCat said...: Yea what Tulsa is doing to B St is just mean now. Have Mercy Gan-Guz Khan!!!; 10:05 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I wonder why ESPN hasn't given Jay G a shoutout, considering their interest in him and all.; 10:06 PM
Anonymous said...: I hope we can replicate this on Ball State next season.; 10:06 PM
tigercowboy said...: I will have to say that I am a candy though I left before the big storm of 09....Gus gets a shout out on ESPN for Auburn...you got to like it. The bammers may not say it but they are worrying....; 10:06 PM
Unknown said...: Having an undefeated regular season, then getting beat by a lesser team in your conference championship, then getting totally dominated in your bowl game, now that is rough.; 10:07 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: now that's some Funny Stuff....

The Balll State Mascot packed his shiggidy and leaving early

Bahhahahahahahaah!; 10:07 PM
Miller said...: I'm impressed with the ability and guts to throw downfield in the rain... I like that they run tough and run north/south too.

Does anyone have an update on how the positions that Roof and Willis will coach is going to shake out?; 10:07 PM
AUBigCat said...: True Zteve but I couldnt enjoy the beauty of the WVa offense cause it was beating our heads in at the time.; 10:07 PM
Unknown said...: I would have settled for half the offense Tulsa has produced tonight in the Iron Bowl.; 10:07 PM
Anonymous said...: FC, are you talking about Ball State or Alabama?; 10:08 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: FC,
Karma is a MF!!!!; 10:08 PM
Unknown said...: Sensi, Bama did a similar belly flop, but their bowl game wasn't quite this embarrassing, although getting your butt kicked by a bunch of mormon missionaries is pretty bad.; 10:10 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Bahahahahaha

Utah 31 Alabama 17!

Damn it never gets old!!!!; 10:10 PM
tigercowboy said...: listen all 10 people that are left are yelling overrated; 10:11 PM
Unknown said...: They need to shut up about Texas being #1. Utah is #1. Get over it. Florida and Oklahoma can play for second.; 10:11 PM
Miller said...: Did the other announcer take a dump on Andre Ware's shuit? yowza, that's awful...; 10:11 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Tiger,
those are Auburn Fans yelling that....

See we did win a Bowl Game

CGM wins GMAC Bowl!!!!; 10:12 PM
Miller said...: Do we have a legit shot at Bryce Brown? Are we visiting him? You guys shouldn't play with my emotions like that....; 10:12 PM
Miller said...: Why dump water on the guy? He's already soaked to the bone!; 10:13 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Guys,
I'm just asking but does Coach Graham have a mullet?; 10:13 PM
tigercowboy said...: AU,

As Shug you to say..."you so right carl you so right."

Ball state needs to quit throwing it they are only adding to their pain.

Run the ball run the clock; 10:14 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: OK Guz,
Time to shake Coach Graham's hand adn say "I'm outta here.... Holla at you later"; 10:15 PM
Jet said...: 600 yards!!!!!; 10:15 PM
tigercowboy said...: Biggest difference in Tony Franklin and Gus about 15 penalties.; 10:16 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: tiger,
and a productive and fuctional QB, Oline, WR, shit the whole offense!!!; 10:17 PM
AUBigCat said...: I saw we send Luper to Bryce Brown's house with a dvd of the rushing highlights from this game, slam it down on his couch and say "You betta git wit dis!"; 10:18 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Oh No,
We don't want CGM for OC....

Hell I'm headed to Ladd Pebbles to drive his arse to Auburn tonight adn tell him to get to work!!!!; 10:18 PM
tigercowboy said...: You bet....600 yards plus. I know the bammers continue to slight our coaching hire but he who laughs last laughs the loudest...; 10:19 PM
WarEagleRK said...: It would take us 3 games to get 600 yards.; 10:19 PM
AUBigCat said...: i "say"...not saw; 10:19 PM
wtc said...: Monica, thanks for the update.
Game over, 600 yards total offense. Maybe I am too giddy over this but if we could get 400 yards I would be pleased.

Do you guys/gals see AU getting any recruits away from a committment to another school. Seems to me we need a few OL guys.; 10:19 PM
Monica said...: g'night hawties; 10:19 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: gnite Monay!

Holla at you later

PEACE Y!; 10:20 PM
Kathy said...: Night all. Another good game!; 10:20 PM
Unknown said...: Big difference between this offense and Franklins is they throw the ball down the field, which makes a lot of other things work. Screens don't work when you only throw short routes.; 10:21 PM
AUBigCat said...: Alright Hotties I'm out. War Damn all!; 10:21 PM
tigercowboy said...: Later guys....; 10:21 PM
WarEagleRK said...: 441 yards rushing, that would take us 4 or 5 games to reach.; 10:21 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Kathy,

Gnite...Auburn....oops Tulsa Wins!!!; 10:21 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: thanks to all the Hotties for the great commentary during the game.
See y'all tomorrow. Sweet dreams.; 10:23 PM
weagle251 said...: I left the game at halftime, about 5 minutes before the bottom dropped out. That offense is QUICK. We were on the Ball St. side, facing the Tulsa bench. They had this giant signboard with flip cards they used to dial up the play. I don't think they took longer than 10 seconds to get set for the next play. We managed to figure out a couple of the calls after a while (for example, a Black 20 in the shotgun was a screen pass to number 9, right or left), but it didn't seem to matter because things were moving so quickly. I'd be surprised if a single Tulsa drive in the first half ate up more than two minutes off the clock.

But the BEST thing about that offense was... No f***ing Meerkats on the Offensive Line. Good riddance to that garbage!; 10:27 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: 600 freaking yards? u serious? wow. i've been out of the loop tonite. i've got it recorded and i'll scan it thursday. wow.; 10:29 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: Dang, I was so mesmeriZed with 600 yards of offense, I forgot that Nip/Tuck started tonight.; 10:35 PM
coosa said...: Most impressive thing about the game to me was that they had no penalties or turnovers, despite the worst field conditions imaginable. Who gets credit for that? I'd think Gus has to get a lot of it.

If Franklin could have eliminated the penalties, his offense would have worked at AU.

As someone else posted, the fact that they throw downfield a lot makes so much of the offense work.

I'm more excited about next season after watching this game. What's sad is that Tulsa has offensive players that are vastly superior to ours. How does that happen.

The biggest missing link for next year is a QB. I've been joking about Todd; I really don't think we've got a QB on campus who can be as good as the guy Tulsa has. Here's hoping Gus can develop one of our guys or recruit a new one.

A good evening to all.; 10:40 PM
Miller said...: Visiting this weekend per Scout:

Petey Smith (LB - 6'1" 248#)
Jonathon Atchison (LB - 6'3"/215)
Andre Harris (OG - 6'4"/336#) **
Brandon Jacobs (RB - 6'0"/237#) **
Reggie Taylor (DB - 5'10"/165#) **

** = Current Commit; 10:41 PM
coosa said...: Weagl251 - If you guys could figure out the plays from the stands, how long will it be before every team in the sec has them figured out? I'm afraid they'll need a new system.; 10:43 PM
Jet said...: Good night, kids; 10:44 PM
weagle251 said...: It was weird. Like I said, though, they moved so fast that it didn't seem to matter. Not that that's a solution, but still.; 10:53 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Peter, i had forgotten about Nip/Tuck until i got home from work. i haven't watched FX since The Shield ended. good thing for you they show back-to-back episodes.; 11:02 PM
TB said...: Morning Tigers!!!

Check this out pretty funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULWj5KcgSZw; 5:40 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Last night's game should provide good recruiting material for those skill position players that we are after. I'm glad things went well last night with Tulsa and I'm also glad that Gus is now officially on the job full time.

Go get us some big time players now!; 6:23 AM
Anonymous said...: Morning, Hotties! When I first heard who Chiz hired as DC, I said to myself, "Who the he** is that??" But, after reading some of your comments, I feel a little better. As far as Tuberville having a high opinion of him, is Tuberville really going to publicly talk bad about someone?; 6:57 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: I talked with Tuberville about Roof in 2007, so it wasn't an endorsement or anything ...; 7:43 AM
Anonymous said...: Reading a lot of rumors that Ben Tate is considering going pro.

I think it is just chatter, but have any of you heard anything like this?; 7:53 AM
Anonymous said...: The inability to throw downfield has hindered us for 3 seasons. The problem has exacerbated any other offensive problem. We certainly have WR fundamental/talent problems. Can Guz/Trooper train em up? Can he design downfield pass plays that will allow our WRs that we have on campus now, to get open?

WR recruiting may not improve until we start to have passing success. This may take several more seasons to correct, but I am optimistic that we have. Tulsa, although not facing SEC defenses, made it work with a 2* QB and WRs.; 8:00 AM
Dear Leader said...: Does anyone know if Troop is working Rueben Randle... he was recruiting him at OSU...

he and bryce would be a nice tandum...; 8:03 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Mr. S- Ben Tate did send paperwork to the NFL Advisory Council to see where he would be drafted and it came back 2nd to 4th round. He decided to stay in school and play another season. Reports are that he is excited about Mahlzahn's offense.; 8:07 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Dear Leader- I believe there is almost 0% chance Randle signs with us. He is wanting to stay close to home according to rivals.; 8:09 AM
mytommyd said...: Morning everyone. Isn't the problem on offense ... everything? We've got O line fundamental/injury problems, which wil lead to problems with the running and passing game. Receivers that have difficulties catching, and Qb's that many times cannot get the ball to them. So my hope is that this new staff that we have coming in can get our boys in the position to succeed. Teach them not to jump before the snap, catch the ball, and follow the blocking. And after looking at what I wrote, I think I will continue my super cautious optimism. It's going to be tough to get all that done in a half year, and that's just our offensive woes. Although I believe if our offense can score, our defense will also have a much easier time of it. I guess that's enough of a post to last the day.; 8:10 AM
Anonymous said...: Tulsa put up over 600 yards in total offense? Wow! I guess Ball State isn't that good after all...; 8:13 AM
Beth said...: I am excited about the hires. I think that from everything I am reading these guys do know how and have succeeded at recruiting. That is part of the battle, they also seem to be excited about coming to Auburn. Good recruits, fire in their bellies, hard work, and love of the game... I will take that combination any day.; 8:26 AM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: "put a roof over their defense"...nice.; 8:35 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: Eddie, I'd like to see a run-down of all the NFL junior projections.

Wouldn't it be a shame if they projected 95 juniors to go in the first four rounds?

I get the sense that the NFL guys are lawless with these assessments. I mean ... Ben Tate second round? Seriously? Someone put their name to that?; 8:40 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: Thanks for the love on the lead, Scott.; 8:43 AM
Anonymous said...: Jay G. Tate said... "Ben Tate second round? Seriously? Someone put their name to that?"

What are you trying to say, Jay? ;-); 8:48 AM
Brad said...: This might be the best morning ever. We make a solid DC hire. Our new OC orchestrates a route last night. Bama lost in hoops yesterday. Nip/Tuck was fantastic last night. And now word comes out that Stafford AND Moreno are leaving Georgia early.

I don't know what I've done to deserve this, but don't let this day end.; 8:50 AM
michael said...: Brad, don't look now, but your car is on fire.

There's always a catch.; 8:51 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Agreed Jay. These NFL projections are sometimes asinine if you ask me. No way do I see Ben Tate as a 2nd to 4th rounder at this point. Ben is a hard runner, but he lack's speed and quickness in cutting up-field.

I do believe the projections, at least while I was at Auburn, were done only considering those that actually officially entered the draft at the time of evaluation. So in theory, you could have 20 to 30 players turn pro early and screw up those projections, if even correct to begin with.; 8:52 AM
Brad said...: Crap. I knew it Michael. I'll just hope the snow puts out the fire.; 8:54 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Brad,
This is a good day..... and there is a God after all and he was playing a trick on us this football season....

Thank God we all prayed for a do over!!!!; 9:05 AM
Dear Leader said...: at least with all the o problems we can tell recruits that they can play this year ...

DOH!!!; 9:07 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: This has me so upbeat today....amazing after all the rain in Mobilz last night....

The Sun is out and shining like the Auburn Tigers Football Program:

Tulsa def. Ball State, 45-13

RUSHING: 439
PASSING: 193
TOTAL OFFENSE: 632
TIME OF POSSESSION: 35:40
THIRD DOWNS: 9 of 18
TURNOVERS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

WOW!!!!!!; 9:10 AM
Will said...: Are you sure Tate wasn't declaring for the CFL draft? I think he is a clear 2nd to 4th rounder there.; 9:19 AM
DoWhat? said...: Just had a thought, do you think Montez Robinson also considered he may not get playing time as early as he would like to with A.C. coming back? Sorry I know it is a random thought.; 9:26 AM
Jet said...: OK, where were Jim Cantori and Geraldo Rivera last night?

Hurricane Gus pounds Mobile, and no Geraldo, no Cantori.; 9:32 AM
Norm said...: Shepherd Smith too. He's from just down the road anyway.; 9:35 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: S. Smith is an Ole Miss Homer!!!!; 9:45 AM
Norm said...: He's that and depending on what you believe other things too. But, he does seem to like the hurricanes and missed an opportunity.; 9:48 AM
j-z said...: Good Morning Hotties...Wasn't there some discussion that Malzahn wouldn't be able to motivate his players since he was leaving, this wasn't a big game, etc.?

They looked pretty motivated to me last night. I hope he can get our O half that fired up for the fall. War Malzahn and War Kicker on a Stick!

Think we'll get a name for an O line coach today?; 9:49 AM
Jet said...: J-Z ...

I'm the one that offered that idea ... primarily to tamp down expectations -- my own and that of others.

Now I'm mainlining the Kool-Aid.; 9:52 AM
mytommyd said...: Trying .... not .... to ..... drink ...... Kool ....... Aid.

Cautious optimism, don't get caught up,Cautious optimism, don't get caught up,Cautious optimism, don't get caught up.

This isn't working at all.; 9:57 AM
michael said...: Anyone notice the difference in the way Malzahn left Tulsa and the way Chizik left Iowa St? Malzahn getting a gatorade bath, leaving the right way, being a man and not just ducking and running. Compare that to what the Iowa St players said about Chizik.

Just sayin.; 10:03 AM
j-z said...: I just have to believe that our offensive players have to be at least as talented as that group last night. I don't think they have been coached up at all during their Auburn careers. Someone made the comment about schools that run the spread typically have poor d's because the athletes wind up on Offense. I think Auburn has been guilty of the inverse of that for at least 4 years now.

What do you get when you cross orange Kool Aid with Blue Raspberry Kool Aid?

A Gus Malzahn man crush.; 10:04 AM
tigercowboy said...: Michael,

I can't help but have noticed that you seem to be the glass is not only half empty but has a crack in it with a sliver of glass in the bottom of it, that I will probably swallow it and cut my throat open kind of guy.; 10:14 AM
Monica said...: ouchie; 10:17 AM
AUBigCat said...: Can we officially change the phrase "drinking the kool-aid" to drinking the "Toomer's Lemonade"? It just sounds more Auburny, or Plainsy, or War Eagle..y whatever you get the idea.; 10:29 AM
mytommyd said...: Trying .... not .... to ..... drink ...... Toomer's ....... Lemonade.

Cautious optimism, don't get caught up, cautious optimism, don't get caught up, cautious optimism, don't get caught up.

This still isn't working.; 10:31 AM
Struttinduck said...: I can't quit singing "Living on Tulsa Time".

I liked what I saw!!!!!

Yeee Haw!!!!; 10:31 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: TIGER,
Remind me not to drink any of Micheal's Kool-Aid that he makes.....

It could be DEADLY!!!!; 10:31 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: HOTTIES,
When you've had the SEASON we've had, then yes we should be cautious, but we also all know there is talent on that TEAM....

That's why we are "Hopeful" the Qualified and REAL Coaching jump starts that Offense!!!

Gawd knows we deserve some goodness after 2008!!!; 10:35 AM
Will said...: Shouldn't O. McCalebb and Cam Kenney be sending us some paperwork fairly soon? Anyone have any details here, what gives?; 10:35 AM
j-z said...: Think we'll be able to ditch the "all orange" and go back to blue the way it ought to be? I have red hair and orange makes me look fat. Well...my fat makes me look fat, but the orange doesn't help.; 10:36 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Monay,
Hey check your email i sent to you about the visitors list!; 10:37 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: I am for Navy Blue.

I agree with removing the "all Auburn all orange" deal.; 10:38 AM
mytommyd said...: Chizik knows how to get his defenses working , and Roof and Willis can get the boys to play. Malzahn evidently knows how to get his system going. Luper? Taylor? Yep they're winners, too. So why do I feel like I'm being set up like last year? I mean last year from some folks you would have thought Franklin invented the spread concept. And Paul Rhoads knew exactly how to coach up the secondary so we wouldn't get burned there. Everyone here knows how that all turned out. I am VERY optimistic, but I'm still going to have to wait until the WV game before I get my hopes up.; 10:39 AM
Miller said...: That's a little morbid, don't you think, TC?

Maybe he doesn't want to drink the lemonade because he doesn't like pulp?

By the way, I'm sticking with cautious optimism. I like what I saw from Tulsa last night, but they were playing Ball State. I like the staff hires by Chizik, but I'm still optimistically wary of the Chizik hire itself.
I like what we're being told, but we were sold a lemon in Franklin last year. I think we have the talent to win, but the players have to buy into the coaches fully, and everyone has to be on the same page.
I'll reserve judgement until we see a product on the field. But, I'm closer to sipping lemonade than I am to sucking on a lemon.; 10:40 AM
mytommyd said...: BTW my cautiously optimistic attitude absolutely sucks. I hate being cautiously optimistic.; 10:41 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Question? Who is actually planning on attending A-Day this year?

I actually plan to attend for the first time since I left Auburn. It still reminds me too much of a glorified practice, and I have seen plenty of those while at Auburn.

It will be interesting to see what kind of turnout we will have.; 10:42 AM
mytommyd said...: Oops - change that to La Tech, not WV.; 10:43 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Not to dampen last night's glorious win for Tulsa, but Ball State lost their head coach since the last regular season game. That probably had something to do with their performance, at least more so than Tulsa loosing Mahlzahn.; 10:44 AM
Miller said...: AUnMoblz,
Is the full visitor list just 5 players or more?
Petey, atchison, and the 3 commits (the OG, jacobs and taylor?)

Also, anybody heard how the coaching will be divided by Roof and Williz since they're both LB coaches?; 10:44 AM
mytommyd said...: Williz .... I like it.; 10:48 AM
Will said...: No knowledge on Onterrio andCam Kenney? Not even from Omnica? She must be fistfighting that IRS guy in the parking lot.; 10:48 AM
AUBigCat said...: Hopefully with Stafford going pro and the great performance from Malzahn last night, we will get a LOIs from Kenney and McCalebb soon.; 10:51 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: McCalebb is waiting to make sure his grades stay where they needed to be after his last final on Monday. If the grades stay were they were at, then he will be her next week. That is the lastest I have heard on that.; 10:52 AM
AUBigCat said...: FWIW I want Atchinson back too. I like tall LBs. They make the D look more menacing.; 10:53 AM
michael said...: tigercowboy,
The staff hires have been great by Chizik, they have honestly put me on cloud 9. He has hit some home runs.

However, there are some things I can't all of a sudden forget or be blind to. Chizik's job was in jeopardy, the defense there wasn't good, he left everyone in the program pissed off at him, his media relations were not good, there was no positive bump in recruiting during his tenure, etc. Am I the only one who remembers this? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

So, anyway, I think that he has hired assistants good enough to have a pretty awesome program, despite of any shortcomings he may have as a head coach. Time will tell. I think we will get to a bowl game next year, but it will probably not be an instant return to glory. The new offense, though obviously different from Franklin's, gives me a little bit of deja vu as far as the fan optimism and the success of the coach at a non-SEC level. I think Franklin could have been successful if given three years to build an offense. He was given one month before he had to change it, and that month included coaches who didn't believe or understand what he was doing.

So, in summation, I am happy with the Auburn program today but not blind. We have a good foundation but it will take time. And no matter how you spin it, I think Gene Chizik was a poor choice for head coach. Sorry. And I am a bit of a trouble starter by nature so it is in my blood to rain on your parade.; 10:53 AM
Anonymous said...: I will be at A-Day, Eddie!

Do I sense an unofficial HABOTN gathering in the works?; 10:58 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: I would like that very much Mr. S. That would be fun. Check your email about b-ball.; 11:02 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Micheal,
I respect your opinion but let me offer this...

Sometimes you have to Fail to Succeed, lets reserve issuing him a grade until he takes a test....

Chiz has earned the right to "TRY" and as Auburn Fans lets just look at the glass half full not half empty!

BTW did you say good bye to everyone when you left your last job for more money, and were they all happy?

Let just give him a chance and see how it goes this fall.; 11:05 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: D. Miller,

I think Anthony Gulley is also visiting:

"Anthony Gulley"; 11:10 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: When I left my last job for more money, my soon to be former boss did cart wheels and a bunch of fist pumping. Not sure what that means. :); 11:10 AM
michael said...: I have yet to leave a job for more money, but I have developed friendships and relationships at my current job, so yeah, I would hope I didn't destroy those relationships when I left. I would try to Malzahn it rather than Chizik it. Be a man, look people in the eye, that sort of thing.

And I am all for optimism, and I think Chizik has a good chance of being successful. He has inherited a mess, so I will certainly give him a few years before I start considering holding him accountable if things aren’t going well.

I don’t feel like rehashing the same arguments I made at the time of the hiring (I would much rather talk about the BC coaching situation), but the success of him as a coach doesn’t make it a good hire. It is the Les Miles principle. Just because it works doesn’t mean it was a good choice. About 90% of AU fans agreed with me at the time, but maybe they forgot about it. We hired a coach who left a program worse off than he arrived. I am hoping a head coach is only as good as his assistants, in which case we are good. If a head coach is more directly responsible for the success of his team, we may still be in trouble.; 11:14 AM
tigercowboy said...: All I would offer is to continue to be open minded. I will give him the benefit of doubt not based on a dismal result at Iowa State but his stellar overall record. You have to feel good about the decisions he is making with his coaches. I would also offer he jumped at the first opportunity he had to be a head coach in a major conf. It was a poor decision. No resources (money), no core assistants to follow him. I think he is already proving he learns from his mistakes. Time will tell but I am optimistic to say the least.; 11:15 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Michael,
CTF failed because he could not and would not adopt his system to fit his players and talent he had available....PERIOD!!!

You are correct in that in 3 years he would have been able to recruit players in to run his full system, but until then He should have adopted, pure and simple!!!

I have a scenario that all of us can understand: you are the new guy at you office, just hired as the manager of a division... you don't know all the people that work under you, but you must get the product completed and on time.... how do you get it done as you have your way of doing things and now you are starting fresh....#1. you talk to each team member and find out their strengths and weakness, #2 find out what they can and cannot do well then utilize that the best to accomplish the Goal....#3 Finish the Deal...Adopt to personel available...

CTF did not.... His fault regardless, it was his job to get it done plain and simple!!!!; 11:19 AM
Big MikeZ16 said...: If Chiz hadn't left Iowa St when and how he did we may not have Malzahn now...but then what was he going to hang around for?; 11:19 AM
Unknown said...: Contrary to popular opinion, I think Chizik inherits a pretty good football team. The disaster of a season was understandable with what went on with the Franklin Experience. I expect us to do well this coming season. I don't consider this team a mess.

That being said, I don't expect the same type of success that Tuberville has had anytime soon. It is likely we can be an 8 win team for several years, but we likely won't be back to a 10 win team for 4 or 5 more years if we are lucky. After that, hopefully he can take us to a new level, but I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. There aren't many coaches around with Tuberville's type of record, so we have to be patient.; 11:23 AM
tigercowboy said...: How do you know he left it worse off than he found it?? They played 19 freshman this year. I would say that would scream of lack depth and talent 3 and 4 years ago. Until you actually walk in the shoes it is easy to judge success and failure.; 11:23 AM
Big MikeZ16 said...: Mobilz...I know something of that feeling everytime I walk into a new company as a consultant.
Rarely well received by other management, no one wants to change, some people afraid of losing their job and many other negatives. Can't jump right in and change the world without a focused eval of existing talent, win over a few key players early and change a little at a time while seeing some significant victories along the way.

I believe Franklin hurt himself but was doomed from jump...yes, jump. It needed to happen!

Power of the Z!; 11:24 AM
michael said...: Whoa, I definitely didn't want to come off as a CTF lover or anything. But his failure should be shared by the whole staff. Anyway, I was trying to scare you about Malzahn. I am not so sure things would have gone very differently if he had been hired instead of CTF. In fact, I think we saw exactly how it went when he was at Arkansas for 1 year. Same situation, but I guess he had the people skills not to get fired midseason (plus they were actually winning).; 11:26 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: tiger,
you beat me to the punch....
I was about to say the same thing.... let's see how ISU does the next couple of years after his recruits play and get experience...

ISU to Auburn is a no brainier...I would take that HC job any day of the week.

Micheal I'm not banging on you just hate when we judge someone before he has a chance to at least Coach one full Season... remember Fail before Succeeding!

Let's all hope that at Auburn he succeeds!; 11:27 AM
Unknown said...: Apparently Iowa State feels like Chizik left them in better shape than when he arrived. The simple minded view of judging how good a program is based upon a couple of seasons isn't valid. It sounds like Chizik played young guys to build for the future. In doing that, you are going to sacrifice wins.; 11:28 AM
Big MikeZ16 said...: The Iowa State players, coaches, administration and fans were upset that he left early...who wouldn't be. But not concerned with his 5-19.

I thought we got over that already.

Back to War Bald Eagle please.; 11:32 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Bigmike,
I have had 5 jobs in 25 years....
each time I stayed as long as necessary until I felt it was time to look for a new challenge....

I think that averages out to be 5 years per....

I've been there and done that so I know how CGC feels...All I ever asked was that all my workers give me a chance before making decisions based on my recent history...

Has worked out pretty well so far...I have nothing but love for and get from my co-workers as i'm no better than any of them as it takes all of us to succeed....

No small task or jobs and I never ask anyone to do anything that I cannot first do myself...

So CGC Lead by example!!!; 11:34 AM
mytommyd said...: One think I DO like about all that is happening, is that it doesn't look like we have a single coach that will call himself a dumba$$ after a game.I also have a feeling the motivation aspect for this staff is not going to be a concern.; 11:37 AM
michael said...: I am not judging Chizik, I am judging the hire. Very different. Now that he is here, he should be successful with the staff he is putting together and he has my full support.

He was firing coordinators on his way out. Next year was going to be a do or die year. Absolutely no one saw the hire coming. It was out of left field enough to cost us recruits upon the announcement.

Take a look at the track record of successful coordinators jumping to head coaching. It is a mixed bag. You have a much better chance at success if you hire someone who has previously been a successful head coach at a lower level. These are facts. They don't doom Chizik, because there are always exceptions. His staff seems primed to make up for his shortcomings. But don't give me some revisionist history that it was a great hire. You can't definitively say that these good assistants would not have come if another coach was here. What if we had hired a previously successful head coach and then hired the same assistants?; 11:37 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Big Mike,
Yo! yo! you know I'm down with the
"War Bald Eagle"!!!; 11:37 AM
scott,will not,from tucson said...: all of the habotn under one "roof" at the a-day game? ok, that was lame.; 11:39 AM
mytommyd said...: Dang I misssed the perfect opportunity to use "hisself"; 11:39 AM
Unknown said...: Actually, I had considered this hire a possiblity if Muschamp turned us down. I don't know if it was a bad or good hire yet, but things are looking pretty positive.; 11:41 AM
Unknown said...: By the way, I heard on ESPN where Moreno and Stafford appear to be going pro. Man, that stinks for UGA.; 11:42 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Michael,
What "revisionist history".... you seem like you we in the words of Keith Oberman....BUSHED!!!!

OK lets let it go!

We can agree to disagree... but to say the hire was a bad one base solely on his record and how the media has portrayed him leaving ISU is just wrong dude!

It was solely the Jay's call and I wasn't in the interview so I cannot say it was bad... let's wait and see how "Bad" it was, this time next year, ok?; 11:42 AM
Unknown said...: AUnMobilz, I agree. We weren't in the interview so there is no way we can judge the plan Chizik presented. If public opinion determines who we should hire, shouldn't we just get rid of the interview process and go with a poll?; 11:45 AM
tigercowboy said...: Michael,

I feel like we have made progress and judging by the clock your hour is up. We will pick this back up next week at your regular appointment.; 11:46 AM
Unknown said...: Who would you like to see as Auburn's next head coach.

Text #1 for Malzahn
Text #2 for Will Muschamp
Text #3 for Paul Johnson
Text #4 for SteveFC

Vote now and vote often.; 11:47 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: The Doctor is OUT now!!!!

Times UP!!!

Thanks to my secretary tiger!!!; 11:47 AM
mytommyd said...: Yeah, the UGA coalition here at work is VERY VERY quiet today; 11:49 AM
Unknown said...: The funny thing is, I don't view a good head coach as having to be a good position coach or coordinator. Anyone that is a good recruiter and manager can be successful as a head coach by getting the proper staff.; 11:49 AM
michael said...: Yeah, we can agree to disagree, but it is pretty obvious that I am right.; 11:50 AM
AUBigCat said...: Michael...you're making too much sense to be crazy. You better watch it or you'll blow your cover.; 11:50 AM
Unknown said...: As for getting a big bucks coach, the Utah coach is making a little over $600k a season. Somehow the $4 Million didn't seem to affect the score that much.; 11:51 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: mrtommy,
are they acting like their wife divorced them and she took the dog too?; 11:51 AM
mytommyd said...: Agreed Zteve, be a good manager and delegate well, and surround yourself with a great staff, that hopefully you can keep for more than two years before U of Texas comes to steal them away; 11:52 AM
Unknown said...: UGA reminds me of one of the good things about Tuberville. He seemed to be able to keep a lot of players from turning pro early. It would have been easy for Ronnie or Caddy to say show me the money, but they didn't and are probably better off because they didn't.; 11:53 AM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Michael,
ok on your planet Kryton you can be right!!! but come to earth and those powers will not work, because i have the FORCE and will play Jedi mind tricks on you!; 11:53 AM
mytommyd said...: MobilZ, it's funny. Usually I get the pass by and "so you guys found a coach yet?" or something like that. Nothing today. NOTHING. It's making my life very easy.; 11:55 AM
Seanzie said...: Here's a weird stat concerning Tuberville's record...Terry Bowden had a better winning percentage than ole Tub. Not saying he's better but just saying.; 11:55 AM
Unknown said...: Being a head coach is more about people skills than football. That is why I always cringe when someone gets excited about a potential head coach that hasn't been a head coach. There are great coordinators out there that will never be successful head coaches.; 11:55 AM
AUBigCat said...: Chiz may (and I hope he does) turn out to be the best coach in Auburn history. That said, according to the majority of football experts and know it alls, based on the standards for making any hire/promotion in any industry, this was an aweful hire. To paint it any other way is indeed 'revisionist history'.; 11:55 AM
michael said...: Actually I am made more powerful on your earth thanks to your yellow sun; 11:56 AM
Anonymous said...: What are the odds Oklahoma wins the game Thursday night?; 11:57 AM
Unknown said...: The SeanZ, Tubberville sustained a program. Most of Terry's success was in the first two seasons. I know our record this year doesn't reflect it, but Tuberville left this program in a lot better shape than Bowden did. If Tuberville was still around, we would have likely had a shot at the SEC West next season.; 11:57 AM
Unknown said...: AUBigCat, the only experts that matter are the ones that have heard Chizik's plan. In general, this was an easy hire to bash because of the record at Iowa State. So called experts thought Bama would destroy Utah.; 11:59 AM
Anonymous said...: michael, who are you and what did you do with the real michael? I've been follwing this blog for about a month and I've never seen this side of you.; 12:01 PM
Unknown said...: Sensi, from what i have seen about two thirds of the nation think Florida will win. I would have given Oklahoma a better shot than that until I saw Texas Tech and Texas play in their bowl games. Their high powered offenses didn't look so high powered, so I think Florida is the clear favorite. When I think of Oklahoma I think of 2004 and the spanking to end all spankings in the BCSCG.; 12:01 PM
Unknown said...: LuvAU1968, I suspect michael has been possessed by the ghost of Tony Franklin.; 12:02 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: I would say Oklahoma at 45% odds of winning.; 12:02 PM
Big MikeZ16 said...: Geez Zteve are you President of the Tubberville fan club? I'm pretty sure they moved on to the lake with him and are all helping to count the $5.011 million. Money well spent if you ask me.; 12:02 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Michael,
obviously you underestimate the Force "It is strong with this one"; 12:02 PM
mytommyd said...: So called experts picked us to win the West. Oddly enough however, Tubs said that whenever that happened, Auburn never ended up 1st. Perhaps we should check with Tuberville on the coaching hire.; 12:03 PM
Unknown said...: Big MikeZ16, I am not sure what you are talking about. I am an Auburn fan.; 12:03 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Micheal=Tony Franklin

WOW! I didn't see that one coming!!!; 12:04 PM
michael said...: Ha! Sorry Luv, I do this once every few weeks where I actually voice my real opinion about something. It's their fault, I felt I had to rationally defend my shard of glass in the glass point of view.

Also, when I said, "Yeah, we can agree to disagree, but it is pretty obvious that I am right," I was doing so with a smile on my face. I am not really a jerk like that, that's just me being a jerk to be a jerk. Understand?

OK, now back to your regularly scheduled program starring Jan Terri.; 12:05 PM
Unknown said...: In general, those that think the media are experts would consider Paul Finebaum an expert. Don't confuse the media with experts.; 12:05 PM
AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...: Lunchtime Boyz and Girlz,

BRB!!!; 12:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Personally, I hope Tubs coaches somewhere else soon. Last think Auburn needs is another hang-around ex-head coach.; 12:06 PM
Big MikeZ16 said...: Seem to be worshipping Tubbs today. Many think we will always be second fiddle to the evil empire and I may very well be in the minority to think otherwise. Tubbs one SEC title and zero NCs just isn't high enough aspirations for my blood.; 12:07 PM
Unknown said...: Sensi, I agree. I don't really like Dye on Finebaum judging the Auburn situation. Former coaches should stay out of the way of a new coach. I don't know if Tuberville should coach again, but I would appreciate it if he refuses to comment on Chizik's decisions.; 12:08 PM
Anonymous said...: michael, you're back! I was getting worried... : ); 12:09 PM
mytommyd said...: Yeah Mr. S - why is that Auburn gets hanging on coaches. Even Buster Brown didn't run away after he was let go. Or did he "resign" too? I forget which it was.; 12:09 PM
Anonymous said...: You know the word, TommyD.

Auburn is a graveyard for head coaches. With the recent exception of Terry Bowden, that's been very true.; 12:12 PM
Unknown said...: Big MikeZ16, Tuberville was forth in terms of number of wins at Auburn and the program was gradually improving.

1) Shug Jordan
2) Mike Donahue
3) Pat Dye
4) Tommy Tuberville

Tuberville already had the best football season of any Auburn coach and as many SEC titles as Shug Jordan. Maybe Chizik will do better, but I would have given Tuberville a better shot than Chizik or most any coaching change. We were the 3rd winningest team in the SEC this decade and Tuberville's record was gradually improving, although the Franklin Exprerience threw a wrench in it. Tuberville took a chance to try to get us to the next level, which is what I assume you were wanting. If Tuberville had been content to stay a 9 or 10 win team he could have kept Borges and his job.

Changing coaches likely sets us back anywhere from 4 to 25 years. It is a crap shoot. We will just have to see how it works out.

A more intelligent approach would have been to bring in a new OC and let him hire his position coaches. Whether Tuberville was willing to do that or not is questionable. He said he would to some degree, but I am not certain.; 12:14 PM
coosa said...: Good comments this morning.

Michael - you have a job? I thought you made a living doing something illegal involving goats? Crime ain't the same as job. ;)

A good day to the Hotties. I'll check back in tonight to see what coaches we hired today.; 12:15 PM
mytommyd said...: Approaching cumbersome comment count. Jay must be busy.; 12:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Has any Auburn coach ever won more than 1 (one) outright SEC Championship?; 12:16 PM
Unknown said...: I think two of Dye's were outright if I remember correctly. The thing is, the SEC is also much tougher these days. To expect an SEC championship regularly isn't realistic.; 12:18 PM
Big MikeZ16 said...: ZteveFC...I'm really a "compare yourself to the best" sort of guy instead of comparing to other mediocrity.

Tell me how many SEC coaches won a NC in Tubbs reign. How many beneath him in total wins won SEC titles.

This is the same dead argument as how many times we beat a pathetic UA team in a row.

I do appreciate your loyalty and spirit though...WDE

Let's aim higher this time. Nevermind comparing Team Bald Z to Tubbs...I bet they'll aim higher..; 12:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Good point Steve. But at least being in the mix consistently is reasonable. Look at Florida.; 12:20 PM
mytommyd said...: 83 and 87 for Dye, Surprised that Shug only one 1.; 12:22 PM
mytommyd said...: So to this inane argument everyone here thinks Mark Richt is a bad coach. Is that what you guys are saying? And Les miles is a great coach?; 12:25 PM
Big MikeZ16 said...: Some of those comments might be exactly why we're second fiddle...we don't mind being second in the West and many might even think that's an achievement.

I agree that SEC titles 5 years in a row are unrealistic in today's SEC but one in ten years just strikes me as underachieving.

I believe we all want the best for AU, I'm merely attempting to raise that expectation. I'm pretty sure JJ didn't hire Chiz because he has a burning desire to be Number 2 ... you never hear fans chanting - we're number 2, we're number 2.; 12:28 PM
Anonymous said...: Les Miles=lucky submitch
Mark Richt=overhyped underacheiver
Saban=winner
Meyer=winner
Spurrier=used to be winner
Kiffin=won with USC;lost with Raiders
Mullen=worked with winner
Nutt=crazy, lucky submitch
Petrino=job-hopping mofo
Johnson=does good for Vandy
Brooks=does good for Kentucky
Chizik=won as asst.; lost as HC @ ISU

My take.; 12:29 PM
Unknown said...: Big MikeZ16, I assume you can look up the information you require. The SEC is changing and continually gets tougher. If Auburn is close to Florida's and LSU's level in terms of wins. Should we join them as the elite two programs we would still be lucky to have an SEC championship every 5 or 6 years. The time of one team dominating the SEC ended with Spurrier at Florida.; 12:30 PM
Big MikeZ16 said...: miztertommyd - all my UDawg buddies are starting to wonder if he isn't loyal to a fault. Sounds like the BBQ gang GA style.; 12:32 PM
Unknown said...: Spurrier is still one of the best coaches in the SEC. I don't think it is so much that he changed, but that defenses changed. The run and shoot was largely limited when zone blitzes became popular. Florida would typically roll the pocket to one side or the other with the tailback acting as a blocker. Actually, it was more like a half roll to improve pass protection. That isn't as successful against zone blitzes with linemen dropping into coverage and the outside linebackers blitzing.; 12:35 PM
mytommyd said...: Big Mike - from your assesment the only coach that can possibly fit what you want works in Southern Califrnia. Ofcourse he gets to play Stanford UCLA Washington Washington State and no champinoship game (if that truly would matter). I understand your passion and that you want to be #1 all the time, but that's not necessarily realistic in today's SEC.
MHO; 12:35 PM
mytommyd said...: yeah, unfortunately for the UGA faithful they beat Mich State, which means he's not getting rid of Martinez. Which really makes me feel bad for them HEHEHE.; 12:37 PM
Anonymous said...: 400; 12:38 PM

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