Video report, 9/7

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Late Monday chatter, 9/7

Hey everyone. Practice ended around 9:20 p.m. CDT.

Here's some notable stuff discussed today:

• Defensive coordinator Ted Roof said freshman S Daren Bates will start against Mississippi State. That wasn't a one-time thing.
  
  
• Roof said he was happy with DE Nick Fairley's work against Louisiana Tech, but it was flawed. The Mobile native earned high marks for production. His assignment marks were much lower. He's still expected to start against MSU.
  
  
• CB Walt McFadden said he was worried after being flagged for pass interference during the Louisiana Tech game. McFadden watched coach Gene Chizik throw a tantrum along the sideline and assumed he was the target. He soon realized that Chizik felt officials were at fault.
  
  ``He ran at the referee and that's when I started saying: `Yeah, yeah, referee, take that.' But (Chizik) has my back. He spoke with me after the play, he even spoke to me today, he went over there and re-watched it and telling me it was just a good play -- a bad call -- but we've got to live with those plays sometimes."
  
  
• Don't look for LB Josh Bynes to sign up for a Twitter account anytime soon. ``I don't even know what it is. I've been hearing about it, but I don't know what it is. What is a Twitter?"
  
  Told that it's a way to speak to your peeps, Bynes said: ``I don't speak to the peeps. I just do my own stuff."
  
  
• LB Adam Herring on the feeling along the sideline Saturday night: ``It was a sense of pride. We were taking pride in what we were doing at that point -- when we were realizing we were stoning them. It just felt good to know what we were doing. Eleven hats swarming to the ball, that's a sight."

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

We have contracts

Hey everyone. I hope you're having a swell Labor Day. I was in a movie when these contracts rolled into my inbox and, honestly, my iPhone just couldn't make this happen. Maybe I need a better device.

Auburn officially responded today to the Advertiser's request for documents related to coaches and their compensation. Football coaches. So let's get to it.

You already know a lot of this stuff. I'm going to list it anyway.

GENE CHIZIK, head coach

• Five-year deal. It ends Dec. 31, 2013.
  
  
• Base salary is $500,000 per year. It's payable in equal installments doled out each month. He also is entitled to an additional $1.4 million per year via other deals discussed below. His total compensation is $1.9 million per year.
  
  
• His buyout is $500,000 for every year remaining on the contract. That's a two-way deal. Auburn owes him if Auburn terminates the deal. He owes Auburn if he terminates the deal.
  
  
• Auburn paid Iowa State $750,000 to buy Chizik out of his previous deal. That debt will be "forgiven" at a rate of $150,000 per year. If he leaves, he owes the remaining sum. Half is due within 30 days. The rest is due within a year. If Auburn dumps Chizik without cause, the remaining debt will be forgiven.
  
  
• Let's look at the incentives:
  
  
  ACADEMIC INCENTIVES
  
  
  • If the team's annual APR is above .930, Chizik receives $25,000.
    
    
  • If the team's annual APR is above .950, Chizik receives $50,000 plus the $25,000. So it's $75,000.
    
    
  • If the team's annual APR is 1.000, Chizik receives $75,000 plus the other bonuses. So it's $150,000.
    
  
  
  
  COMPETITIVE SUCCESS
  
  • If Auburn wins 10 games, Chizik receives $75,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn wins 11 games, Chizik receives $100,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn wins 12 games, Chizik receives $125,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn wins 13 games, Chizik receives $150,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn wins 14 games, Chizik receives $200,000.
    
    (Unlike the academic bonuses, these do not combine.)
    
    
  • If Auburn loses in the SEC Championship game, Chizik receives $100,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn wins in the SEC Championship game, Chizik receives $200,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn receives an at-large bid to a BCS game, Chizik receives $50,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn plays in a non-BCS bowl, Chizik receives $50,000.
    
    
  • If Auburn finishes in the top five of the Associated Press or USA Today/ESPN polls, Chizik receives $100,000.
    
    
  • If Chizik is named Southeastern Conference coach of the year (by AP or the coaches), Chizik receives $100,000. (With a $100,000 maximum.)
    
    
  • If Chizik is named national coach of the year (by AP, AFCA, Walter Camp or Home Depot) or Chizik wins the Bryant Award, Chizik receives $100,000. (With a $100,000 maximum.)
    
    
  • If Auburn wins a national championship, Chizik receives $500,000.
    
    
  • Payments are due by Jan. 15 of the next calendar year.
    
    
  • Auburn also may create and disburse other "discretionary bonuses" if university officials consider that appropriate.
    
  
  
  
• PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT RIGHTS: In exchange for $700,000 per year, Chizik reliquishes all endorsement rights to the university. That includes shoe and apparel deals. That includes book deals, magazines, videos and websites. The university has the option of selling assigning these rights to a company.
  
  
• APPEARANCES: In exchange for another $700,000 per year, Chizik agrees to appear in 12 post-game shows (ie Auburn Football Review), at least 12 radio shows (ie Tiger Talk), 14 "mid-week call-in shows," 60-second halftime interviews, 14 taped interview segments to to be aired during the weekly television show, a one-hour postgame television interview after every game, a 15-minute radio interview before every game, a 15-minute postgame radio interview after every game and lots of appearances at "Program Scholarship Functions."
  
  
• AUTOMOBILE: Auburn is obligated to provide Chizik with two cars, though they may be "dealer cars," and to assume all costs associated with gas, service, maintenance and insurance.
  
  
• COACHING STAFF: Auburn is obligated to let Chizik have "primary responsibility to select, employ and terminate his staff." Candidates must first be vetted via the SEC and NCAA. Chizik is prohibited from supplementing, "directly or indirectly," the compensation awarded to any assistant coach or university employee.
  
  
• PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT: Chizik is obligated to notify the athletic director if he or his representatives discuss "directly or indirectly his prospective employment with any other institution of higher learning or professional athletic team."
  
  
• PERSONAL CONDUCT CLAUSE: Auburn reserves the right to terminate Chizik (and the contract) if he engages in behavior "that is unreasonably contrary to the public image and conduct Auburn expects from its Head Coach."

OTHER CONTRACTS

• Ted Rood, defensive coordinator: 3-year deal worth $370k/year.
  
• Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator: 3-year deal worth $350k/year.
  
• Trooper Taylor, assistant coach: 3-year deal worth $320k/year.
  
• Tracy Rocker, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $300k/year.
  
• Jeff Grimes, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $290k/year.
  
• Tommy Thigpen, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $250k/year.
  
• Curtis Luper, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $260k/year.
  
• Phillip Lolley, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $210k/year.
  
• Jay Boulware, assistant coach: 2-year deal worth $210k/year.

SEC CONTRACTS*
(*According to the Orlando Sentinel)

1. Urban Meyer, Florida -- $4 million
   
2. Nick Saban, Alabama -- $3.9 million
   
3. Les Miles, LSU -- $3.8 million
   
4. Bob Petrino, Arkansas -- $2.9 million
   
5. Mark Richt, Georgia -- $2.9 million
   
6. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss -- $2.5 million
   
7. Lane Kiffin, Tennessee -- $2 million
   
8. Gene Chizik, Auburn -- $1.9 million
   
9. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina -- $1.8 million
   
10. Rich Brooks, Kentucky -- $1.25 million
    
11. Dan Mullen, Mississippi State -- $1.2 million
    
12. Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt -- $1.1 million

McCalebb earns his first accolade

Hey everyone. Tailback Onterio McCalebb has been named the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Week for his exploits against Louisiana Tech University.

Here is the official run-down from the league office:

ONTERIO McCALEBB
Running Back
AUBURN
5-10 • 164
Fort Meade, Fla. (HS/Hargrave Military Academy)

• True freshman rushed for 148 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown in the Tigers’ 37-13 win over Louisiana Tech.

• The 148 yards are the most ever by an Auburn freshman in a season opening game. The previous best was 123 yards by Bo Jackson in 1982.

• In the second half against the Bulldogs, McCalebb rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries and a TD.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

First post: Monday of Week Two

Hey everyone. Not much to add right now. Gene Chizik was in a great mood yesterday -- far more chatty than usual -- and was more at ease than I've ever seen. He actually recoiled a bit when a reporter asked if he allows himself to enjoy wins.

It's weird. Chizik dedicates so much effort promoting this no-nonsense image, I guess you'd call it, then seems surprised when people assume he's no-nonsense all the time. That seems like a reasonable assumption to me. I really have no idea what Chizik is like behind closed doors. In front of those doors, though, he's a stern guy who reveals almost nothing about himself or his team.

I'm not criticizing his approach. I'm just saying ... he shouldn't be surprised when people figure he's Ivan Drago all the time.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Chizik, Tiger fans in festive mood after win

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/6: Tigers tout solid play in Chizik's debut
  
• 9/5: Dooley out to end an oh-for-Auburn streak
  
• 9/4: Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
  
• 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
• 9/2: Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
The team is practicing very late this evening. The good news is that players will be made available around 6 p.m., so I'll be able to get you some SUBSTANCE well before midnight. Ted Rüf is expected to talk after practice. If you're dying for that report, it may not come through until 11 p.m. or later.

I'll be here.

Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:

Mon., Sept. 7, 8 p.m. (Players available at 6 p.m.)
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)
Thu., Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m. (No interviews allowed; Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.)
Fri., Sept. 11, OFF
Sat., Sept. 12, vs. Mississippi State, 6:05 p.m. (FSN)
Sun., Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 14, OFF
Tue., Sept. 15, 4:30 (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)

Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.

Auburn adds a significant commitment

Hey everyone. Our friend Jeffrey Lee from AuburnSports.com is reporting that LB LaDarius Owens, of Jess Lanier High fame, has verbally committed to the Tigers.

Rivals.com rates him as the nation's No. 7 LB prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state. Owens, the nephew of former Auburn standout James Owens, has scholarship offers from most (all?) Southeastern Conference schools.

He's a high-impact recruit and someone who may provide immediate assistance next fall.

Gene Chizik speaks, 9/6

Hey everyone. Gene Chizik just spent 30 minutes or so chatting with reporters about the Issues of The Day.

Here's an overview:

• General thoughts: ``I thought they played through some times ... of adversity. We overcame some adverse situations. We've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of corrections. We've got a long way to go to compete in this league."
  
  
• On Auburn not using freshman WRs in major roles Saturday: ``Offensively, we're just going what defenses give us. I wouldn't read too much into that.
  
  
• On the 93-yard pass from Chris Todd to Terrell Zachery: ``As games progress, we do a good job of studying people. We scout the (defensive) people during the game."
  
  
• Chizik elaborating on that idea: ``Everybody's got a job on gameday. What we don't do is watch the game. We're not gamewatchers. Everybody's got a job to watch this, everybody's got a job to watch that, everybody's got a job to watch this without going into details. You got to do your job. They can watch the game on TV the next day. We're working and we're specifically looking at things that we need to be paying attention to."
  
  
• Chizik wouldn't identify which staffer made the assessments that led to the deep plays to Zachery and Darvin Adams.
  
  
• On Nosa Eguae's situation: ``It's a foot injury. It's nothing that's really serious. It's a day-to-day, week-to-week thing."
  
  
• On Eltoro Freeman's situation: ``We felt like he was really close. You just have to use good judgment."
  
  
• On if Mario Fannin now should be considered a receiver: ``Not necessarily. Mario's still going to run the football. Mario's still going to catch the football."
  
  
• On if it's "fair" to say Fannin is the No. 3 tailback: ``You could say that. The reason I hesitate on that is because you can move him around to so many places. If you look at number of carries, yes. That doesn't necessarily mean anything. Mario plays so many different positions because he can."
  
  
• On the possibility of making changes at punt returner: ``We'll have to look at that real closely. It's hard for you to run people down in two-a-days -- hit 'em live -- and expect them to be healthy. Remember, it's not always the kick returner's (fault)."
  
  
• Chizik said coaches officially award special teams efforts and exploits, not offense and defense. ``It's a dirty job, but you have to be good at it."
  
  
• On some injured players (ie Hot Carter and Freeman) not being on the sideline last night: ``A lot of guys who are injured don't want to be down there. It's hard on them. Sometimes when they're injured, they don't want to come to the game. Don't read anything into that. We probably had 30 or 40 kids in the stands last night.
  
  
  
  

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

First Post: Sunday of Week Two

Hey everyone. I bet you're feeling satisfied for the first time in a long while. The offense looked good. The defense, in my opinion, was even more impressive. It's confusing to hear people being critical of the defense. Aside from a rash of awkward first-half penalties, the group performed at a level well beyond what I expected.

We'll talk more about this later.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Tigers tout solid play in Chizik's debut
  
• Auburn notebook
  
• A little report card thing I did
  
• Column from my bossman, Brad Zimanek

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/5: Dooley out to end an oh-for-Auburn streak
  
• 9/4: Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
  
• 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
• 9/2: Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread
  
• 8/29: Tigers revel in revival of Todd's arm

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
As you can see below, Chizik holds a teleconference this afternoon. I'll gather up that information and post it to the blog ASAP. I'd also like to do a "hits and misses" post ... analyzing where Auburn thrived and dived last night.

Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:

Sun., Sept. 6, OFF (Chizik teleconference at 4:15 p.m.)
Mon., Sept. 7, 8 p.m. (Players available at 6 p.m.)
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)
Thu., Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m. (No interviews allowed; Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.)
Fri., Sept. 11, OFF
Sat., Sept. 12, vs. Mississippi State, 6:05 p.m. (FSN)
Sun., Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 14, OFF

Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.

That's a wrap: Auburn wins, 37-13

Hey everyone. Pretty powerful win for the Tigers on Saturday night. Let's take a look at some numbers, trends and quotes that caught my eyes.

• Auburn wins, 37-13.
  
  
• Auburn outgains La Tech 357-102 during the second half.
  
  
• Onterio McCalebb rushes for 148 yards on 22 carries. He's very fast.
  
  
• Ben Tate rushes for 117 yards on 20 carries. He's mean between the tackles.
  
  
• Auburn rushes for 301 yards total.
  
  
• Auburn finishes with 556 yards. That's the highest total since Kentucky 2005 ... aka The Tristan Davis Game.
  
  
• Onterrio McCalebb on his approach: "A lot of people say I'm small. It's not about size. It's all about heart. I can do anything I want to. If I get on the edge, I'll go off the edge. If I'm between the tackles, I run between the tackles."
  
  
• McCalebb again: ``I was hyped the whole game. I was running around telling people that nobody could touch us. They tried to tackle me and I'm too fast. They'd better do what they can do because I'm coming."
  
  
• La Tech DT D'Anthony Smith, a coveted NFL prospect: ``I have to give them credit. It's one of the best offensive lines I have played against in my career."
  
  
• La Tech coach Derek Dooley: ``We prepared for it, but the hard part was the big offensive linemen and the two big running backs. Every time you try to hit them, there is no way you can simulate it. It seemed like we were behind the chains every time they handed it off to No. 44."
  
  
• Terrell Zachery: ``It was the first game and it took a while for everyone to get back and moving together on game day. I thought in the second half we came together really well and that helped us put the game away."
  
  
• Nick Fairley on what Tracy Rocker told him to do: ``Go out and ball. Know where you're going and ball. It's nothing fancy."
  
  
• Ted Roof: ``I thought that was a good start for Nick. I thought he showed up and I was most proud of him when he made a mistake, he kept going. He responded the right way. He played hard and played solid and that was a good start for him."
  
  
• Gene Chizik on the atmosphere: ``They were there tonight and they were fired up and they fired our football team up. It started from the time we got off the bus to the time we went out for our pre-game warmups and they never let up. They did their job just like they always do."
  
  
• Chizik on being nervous: ``I had a little bit of the pregame jitters. I just thought we were really well prepared to be honest with you. I just felt prepared."
  
  

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Final: AU wins, 37-13

Hey everyone. Welcome to the second half of today's football game.

• LTU 1st drive: Punt ... 3 plays, 1 yard.
  
  
• Auburn 1st drive: FUMBLE. Darvin Adams lost it.
  
  
• LTU 2nd drive: INTERCEPTION. Daren Bates snagged it.
  
  
• Auburn 2nd drive: Terrell Zachery 93 pass from Chris Todd ... longest TD play in Auburn history ... 3 plays, 98 plays.
  
  • AUBURN 20, LA TECH 10
  
  
  
• LTU 3rd drive: Punt. 3 plays, 4 yards.
  
  
• Auburn 3rd drive: Punt. 7 plays, 20 yards.
  
  
• LTU 4th drive: Punt. 3 plays, 5 yards.
  
  
• Auburn 4th drive: 47 FG ... Byrum is 3-for-3 on FGs tonight ... 5 plays, 22 yards.
  
  • AUBURN 23, LA TECH 10
  
  
  
• LTU 5th drive: 46 FG ... 7 plays, 40 yards.
  
  • AUBURN 23, LA TECH 13
  
  
  
• Auburn 5th drive: Darvin Adams 17 pass from Todd ... 9 plays, 72 yards. Auburn now has 445 yards of offense.
  
  • AUBURN 30, LA TECH 13
  
  
  
• Another Auburn drive: Onterio McCalebb 3 run ... 13 plays, 59 yards ... Tigers now have more than 500 yards of offense.
  
  • AUBURN 37, LA TECH 13
  
  
  I am no longer updating this as regularly. I'm writing. Please see the comments section for updates!
  
  

First Half: AU leads, 13-10

Hey everyone. Welcome to the first quarter.

• Auburn 1st drive: 25 FG ... 13 plays, 69 yards. Eleven runs.
  • AUBURN 3, LA TECH 0
  
  
  
• LTU 1st drive: Dennis Morris 19 pass from Colby Cameron ... 8 plays, 72 yards ... Auburn was flagged for a trio of 15-yard penalties.
  • LA TECH 7, AUBURN 3
  
  
  
• Auburn 2nd drive: Kodi Burns 1 run ... 10 plays, 66 yards ... four Wildcat snaps on that drive.
  • AUBURN 10, LA TECH 7
  
  
  
• LTU 2nd drive: Ends with a punt ... 10 plays, 27 yards.
  
  
• Auburn 3rd drive: Ends with a punt ... 5 plays, 15 yards.
  
  
• LTU 3rd drive: FUMBLE. Caused by Nick Fairley, recovered by Joshua Bynes.
  
  
• Auburn 4th drive: FUMBLE. Ben Tate lost it.
  
  
• LTU 4th drive: 20 FG ... 18 plays, 90 yards ... drive lasted almost seven minutes ... Auburn was whisled for another 15-yard penalty.
  
  • AUBURN 10, LA TECH 10
  
  
  
• Auburn 5th drive: 50 FG ... 3 plays, 29 yards.
  
  • AUBURN 13, LA TECH 10
  
  

Pre-game updates

Hey everyone. Here's what's happening.

• LB Eltoro Freeman is not participating in warmups and is presumed out for this game.
  
  
• DE Nosa Eguae is wearing a protective boot on his right leg/ankle and is out for this game.
  
  
• Guys who were expected to be out and are, in fact, out: LB Spencer Pybus (concussion), S Mike McNeil (leg), WR Tim Hawthorne (ankle/foot), S Aairon Savage (leg).
  

Welcome to Jordan-Hare Stadium

Hey everyone. Jordan-Hare Stadium is beginning to fill with students because it's 4 p.m. CDT.


Here's the team praying at the end of Tiger Walk.

I'm headed out for a quick HABOTN-related tailgate stop. I'll check back in a bit.

Days to kickoff: 0

Our Tar Heel Tiger's Auburn Minute is brought to you by the number:

0



The following was penned by Bro. Jet ...

If Pat Sullivan was the arm of the modern era of Auburn football, if Terry Beasley supplied the hands, if Bo Jackson provided the legs, and if Ralph Jordan and Pat Dye were its coaches, then Jim Fyffe was surely its voice.

For 22 years, from the first day of Pat Dye through the first half of the Tuberville era, Jim painted pictures with his voice like none other. He would tell you he was the most surprised that he would have that opportunity. Those who had the opportunity to know Jim personally would testify to his humility and to the generosity of his heart. Simply, he was always willing to spend time with those who were interested in his craft. It was his way to acknowledged he had been blessed.

A Kentucky native who ended up in Birmingham after a hitch in the military, Jim moved to Montgomery to be the sports director at WCOV-TV, a minor player in the Montgomery television market. Truth be told, in the 1970s, people in Montgomery watched rival WSFA, which first had Carl Stephens, and then Phil Snow as their sports directors.

In Montgomery, Jim was known as the guy who did the public address announcing for Montgomery Rebels games at Paterson Field, and the dude stuck with announcing YMCA Pee Wee football games and wrestling on television. But Jim was always working. He did some football play-by-play for local high schools and basketball work for small colleges for a radio station the television station owned. It led to a big break – the one that defined his career.

Colonial Broadcasting, then the communications arm of the now-defunct bank, won the bid over WAPI in Birmingham to hold the broadcasting rights for Auburn football. The old crew of Paul Ellen, Mike Kolen, and Phil Snow were out. Jim and Pat Sullivan were in.

Ultimately, Jim was best known for his signature call “Touchdown Auburn!” It was something evolved over time. Once he figured out that it irritated Alabama fans as much as it elated Auburn fans, well, that was just fine with him.

Ask any Auburn football fan: they will have their favorite Fyffe football calls. Here are just a few of his notables:

• Nix to Sanders, 1993, vs. Alabama
  
• Nix to Sanders, 1994, vs. Florida
  
• Burger to Tillman, 1987, vs. Georgia Tech
  
• Slack to Wasden, 1989, vs. Florida
  
• Bye Bye Bo!, 1985, vs. Georgia Tech
  
• I’m Headin’ to Toomers, 2002, vs. Alabama

Sadly, the Voice left us too soon. Jim died in May 2003. He had accompanied Tommy Tuberville to a banquet at Prattville. Shortly after arriving at his home in Montgomery, he collapsed due to a brain aneurysm. Jim, a long-time diabetic, never regained consciousness. He passed away the following morning. He was 57.

In his memory, Auburn University created the Jim Fyffe Diabetes Research Fund.

First Post: GAME ONE

Hey everyone. Here we are. Game Day finally has arrived. We're all happy. I have abundant sun here in E. Montgomery, Ala., and the radar looks clear to me. Should be a good day for football.

I'm trying to work in a few minutes with my girls right now, so I'll keep it short. See you all this afternoon!

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Dooley out to end an oh-for-Auburn streak
  
• PREVIEW BOX WITH ANALYSIS

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/4: Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
  
• 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
• 9/2:Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread
  
• 8/29: Tigers revel in revival of Todd's arm
  
• 8/28: Billings suspended for Tigers' first four games
• 8/27: Freshman Sullen ready to seize chance to start
  
• 8/26: Burns shows drive in new role
• 8/25: Auburn's Eguae eager to learn, succeed
• 8/24: Auburn receivers expected to play big role

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
It's Game Day, peeps. We'll be doing stuff. I'm arriving at J-H around 3:30 CDT. My plan is to venture out and visit at least one HOTTIE tailgate. I'll be providing frequent updates during the game. My goal is to have a halftime Campfire®. Post-game will be slow because I'll be on deadline.

I will update with stuff before I leave the stadium. It could be midnight.

Here's what the next few days look like:

Sat., Sept. 5, vs. Louisiana Tech, 6:05 p.m. CDT
Sun., Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7, OFF
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m. CDT)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)

Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.

Scenes from Campus: Friday afternoon

Gene Chizik talks to the players following their walk-through on Friday afternoon.


Trooper Taylor addressed the peeps Friday at a pep rally located near Toomer's Corner.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Days to kickoff: 1

Our Tar Heel Tiger's Auburn Minute is brought to you by the number:

1

HAPPY PETRIE-CHIZIK DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. George Petrie started it all. The following information, with very minor modifications, is from Wapedia. The primary reference for the Wikipedia entry was Mike Jernigan's book, Auburn Man: The Life and Times of George Petrie.

George Petrie (1866-1947), born in Montgomery, was an American scholar and educator who played a crucial role in the development of Auburn University. From 1887 until his retirement in 1942, Petrie held various positions at Auburn, including professor of history and Latin, head of the History Department, and dean of the Graduate School. Petrie also organized and coached Auburn's first football team in 1892.

Petrie was the first Alabamian to earn a Ph.D. degree. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Virginia in 1887 and a Ph.D. in "history, political economy, and jurisprudence" from Johns Hopkins University in 1890. At Auburn (known until 1892 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, and from 1892 to 1960 as Alabama Polytechnic Institute), Petrie is considered the founder of the History Department and the Graduate School ... as well as the school's athletic program.

His time at the University of Virginia inspired Petrie to choose burnt orange and navy blue as the official colors for Auburn's athletic teams. Upon organizing the first Auburn football team in 1892, Petrie arranged for the team to play the University of Georgia team at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Auburn won the game 10-0 in front of 2,000 spectators. The game inaugurated what is known to college football fans as the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry.

* * * * * * *

From AU Special Collections intro to the George Petrie papers:

Biographical Sketch: Alabama historian. Petrie was appointed professor of history at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, in 1887. He served as academic dean from 1908 to 1921 and as graduate dean from 1921 until his retirement in 1942. Petrie wrote extensively on Alabama and Southern history, focusing on secession and the Civil War. Petrie's father, George Laurens Petrie, was minister of the Charlottesville (Va.) Presbyterian Church from 1872 to 1928. His grandfather, George Hollinshead Whitefield Petrie, preached in several churches in South Carolina and Georgia before becoming minister of the Montgomery (Ala.) Presbyterian Church, 1857-1885.

* * * * * * *

His greatest contribution to future Auburn generations may not have been the establishment of football at Auburn, but his authorship of the Auburn Creed in 1943. Let's all try to follow Dr. Petrie's example:

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count
only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work
wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot
win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is
not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my
fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my country, because it is a land of freedom and
because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that
country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly
with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things,
I believe in Auburn and love it.

--by George Petrie, Auburn professor and first coach of Auburn’s Football team

* * * * * * *

Coach Gene Chizik needs no introduction, but if you'd like to read about him, I suggest Writer Tate's outstanding work in Coaches Confidential, published by the Montgomery Advertiser.

* * * * * * *

Thanks to all your kind comments during the past 3 months of the Kickoff Kountdown. It's been a blast. A special thanks to Writer Tate for cleaning up my sloppy writing and making it presentable.

btw, Mike Jernigan interviewed in 2007 about his book on Dr. Petrie by a local ABC affiliate. You can order the book here.

First Post: Friday of Week One

Hey everyone. Thursday was a fun one. We held two Campfires®, tying a record for one day, and discussed a whole bunch of stuff.

Big ups to all the people who carried both chats. There were several of you all. I'll forget someone, so I'll just stick with the blanket thank-you. I hope Chatroll.com gets its stuff together before next week. Otherwise, we may have to find a new clubhouse.

It's Friday. One day to Auburn football. I'm happy to soon have something to write about. You're happy to soon have something substantive to discuss. It's a win-win, so to speak.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
  
• Auburn nootebook

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
• 9/2:Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread
  
• 8/29: Tigers revel in revival of Todd's arm
  
• 8/28: Billings suspended for Tigers' first four games
• 8/27: Freshman Sullen ready to seize chance to start
  
• 8/26: Burns shows drive in new role
• 8/25: Auburn's Eguae eager to learn, succeed
• 8/24: Auburn receivers expected to play big role

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Auburn is off. The team will be shuttling out to Lanett this afternoon for their traditional trip out of town. Gotta get away from campus distractions, they have told me. Distractions generally don't bother me. Since Chizik said he can't multitask, though, I guess he likes it better this way.

Here's what the next few days look like:

Fri., Sept. 4, OFF
Sat., Sept. 5, vs. Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m. CDT
Sun., Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7, OFF
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m. CDT)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)

Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.

All we have are the embers (Part II)

Thanks for doing your part in making our second Thursday Campfire a success.

We had a total of 257 participants, which up from the afternoon session.

We discussed AOL Chat Rooms circa 1998, LOLs, ROFLs, Kodi Burns, the Wildcat position, Lou Holtz, Troy's tank job, the hideous Oregon uniforms, Tommy Tuberville's post-Auburn attitude and, of course, Erin Andrews.

I'd say it was a hit.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: "Hatin' With Jay G" will resume tomorrow on Supersport 930 AM out of Jackson, Miss. I am supposed to hit the airwaves/internet at 9:30 in the a.m.

Catch-all Thursday Football Thread

We're watching South Carolina-NC State (ESPN HD) and North Texas-Ball State (ESPNU).

UPDATE: We're also watching Minnesota-Duluth vs. Central Washington.

SECOND UPDATE: I'm listening to Tiger Talk and posting relevant/amusing quotes in the comments section.

Please join in!

Heisman predictions

I am voting in the AP Football Poll this fall. One of my fellow voters, Bob Asmussen of the Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, recently polled voters about their view of the Heisman Trophy "race."

A little more than half the voters responded. We were asked to pick five players. Each top pick received five points, the No. 2 pick received four points ... and so on.

I voted Tebow-Bradford-McCoy-Snead-Griffin.

Here are the results:

PLAYER, SCHOOL, VOTES (1st)

Tim Tebow, Florida 155 (23)

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma 131.5 (7)

Colt McCoy, Texas 130.5 (5)

Jevan Snead, Mississippi 36.5

Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State 16

Todd Reesing, Kansas 11

Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan 10

Max Hall, BYU 9

Colin Kaepernick, Nevada 5

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State 4

Daryll Clark, Penn State 3

Robert Griffin, Baylor 3

Juice Williams, Illinois 3

Case Keenum, Houston 2

Kellen Moore, Boise State 2

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame 1

Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon 1

Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic 1

Matt Grothe, South Florida 1/2

The Bo Jackson mural

As promised to MonD and Cincy:






Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

All we have are the embers (Part I)

Thanks for doing your part in making our first Thursday Campfire a success.

We had a total of 233 participants, which is great for a workday.

We discussed the over/under for rushing yards (180), Onterio McCalebb, Kodi Burns, Mario Fannin, Gus Malzahn's detail-oriented approach to life, the big mural of Bo Jackson, tailgates, first-game anxiety and where I went to school. And other stuff.

A successful afternoon, no doubt.

We will RETURN for ANOTHER CAMPFIRE at 8 p.m. CDT. Please join us. Until then, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: "Hatin' With Jay G" will resume tomorrow on Supersport 930 AM out of Jackson, Miss. I am supposed to hit the airwaves/internet at 9:30 in the a.m.

Days to kickoff: 2

Our Tar Heel Tiger's Auburn Minute is brought to you by the number:

2

HAPPY BEN OBOMANU DAY!!!


Ben Obomanu: Selma, Ala.; WR 2002-05; ACADEMIC ALL-SEC in 2003 & 2004; Auburn's leading receiver in 2005. Despite the drop against Ole Miss, Ben ranks second in career TD receptions with 18, one ahead of Karsten Bailey and 11 behind Terry Beasley. Ben ranks 8th in career receptions and 13th in career receiving yards.

Jay G. note: Best interview I've ever seen was Obomanu answering questions at the podium following the Ole Miss drop. He answered honestly. He answered for several minutes. Had YouTube been big then -- or if ESPN was doing around-the-clock college coverage like it does now -- Obomanu would be a household name far beyond Alabama.

HONORABLE MENTION

* Willie Gosha : Ft. Walton, Fla.; WR 1993-96; tied with Frank Sanders for most receptions (58) in one season; Willie holds AU single game record for receptions (17 vs. Arkansas) and is also tied for 3rd (10 vs. Army); his 222 receiving yards vs Arkansas is third highest total in Auburn history.

* Tim Carter: St. Petersburg, Fla.; WR 1998-2001; Auburn's leading receiver in 2001 and leading kickoff returner in 2000. He had a 100-yard kickoff return against LSU in 2000.

* Chuck Clanton: Pensacola, Fla.; CB 1980-82

* Otis Mounds: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; TB 1991-94

* Cornelius Joseph Dennis "Neil" O'Donoghue: Dublin, Ireland; PK 1975-76; ALL-AMERICAN in 1976; Neil still holds Auburn record for longest FG: 57 yards, set in 1976 vs Tennessee (since matched by Philip Yost). The lanky Irishman, standing over 6-foot-6, was playing soccer at St. Bernard College in Cullman during the 1970s. When the school eliminated its soccer program, Neil transferred to Auburn and kicked the prolate spheroid for two years. He parlayed that experience into a nine-year NFL career. His first game at Auburn was only the third football game he'd ever played in.

First post: Thursday of Week One

Hey everyone. I'm trying to calm down after a Facebook barrage. People everywhere seem to be channeling their inner Joe McCarthy these days and it irritates me. I find that using the "hide" button helps me retain composure.

This isn't a political blog, though, so enough of that.

I will create a separate thread for this, but be aware that it's CAMPFIRE DAY. We'll be holding two sessions -- one at 3 p.m. CDT and one five hours later. Please stand and sing.

Thanks for making this the hottest enclave on the entire World Wide Webz.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Players expect changes to help restore winning ways

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/2:Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread
  
• 8/29: Tigers revel in revival of Todd's arm
  
• 8/28: Billings suspended for Tigers' first four games
• 8/27: Freshman Sullen ready to seize chance to start
  
• 8/26: Burns shows drive in new role
• 8/25: Auburn's Eguae eager to learn, succeed
• 8/24: Auburn receivers expected to play big role

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Auburn will practice this afternoon, though I will not be there. Chizik isn't available. Players aren't available. Assistants aren't available. So that's that.

We WILL be holding a pair of campfires today. You read that correctly. Schedules are messy this time of year, so I'm hoping everyone who wants to participate can do so during AT LEAST one of our sessions. You're welcome to attend both.

Remember that this is not one of those stale q-and-a deals you may have seen in 1996. We do it LIVE here at the HABOTN. It's true interaction. I heart HOTTIE interaction.

Be there or be rectangular.®

Here's what the next few days look like:

Thu., Sept. 3, 4:30 p.m. (no media availability)
Fri., Sept. 4, OFF
Sat., Sept. 5, vs. Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m. CDT
Sun., Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7, OFF
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m. CDT)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)

Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.