Hey everyone. I left Nashville early this morning to get on campus for what will be an eventful day. I consider it very likely (ie >98.5%) that Jeff Lebo will get fired.I haven't yet confirmed that on the record. Until I do, I must leave the situation open-ended. You know my rules.
The Tigers ended their season with a loss to Florida last night, capping a 15-17 season. Lebo is 96-93 in six seasons on the Plains.
I'll update with information as it becomes available.
Though we haven't yet confirmed that Lebo has been fired, here are some guys you need to know about:
**Chuck Person, special assistant with the L.A. Lakers
**Mike Anderson, coach at Missouri, makes $1.3 million right now and turned down advances from Georgia last year
**Tony Barbee, coach at UTEP and former John Calipari assistant
**Danny Manning, assistant coach at Kansas
**Nate James, assistant coach at Duke
**Johnny Jones, coach at North Texas (headed to the NCAAs) and played at LSU
**Ron Hunter, coach at IUPUI, has won 66 games in three seasons including one NCAA appearance
woot!!!
ReplyDeleteLIVE HIM IN TAKE HIM OUT
ReplyDeleteBye bye Lebo?
ReplyDeleteSleuthing substance from JGT.
ReplyDeleteBeen waiting for this blog. Now that firing season is underway, things should get exciting.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else would have been let go years ago for his performance
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back in AU safely, JGT. Thanks for the Lebo Watch. Does it have Swiss timing?
ReplyDeleteI'll be holding at 98.5% until I get confirmation, but you can book this one.
ReplyDeleteDL: I agree completely.
ReplyDeletei really thought he'd survive & advance.
ReplyDeletemaybe The Rifleman cut a deal.
well, get 'er done before CP can get a degree so I won't have to worry about him being hired as coach.
ReplyDeletei jest.....i think.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion for headline in tomorrow's MA..."Lebo Lego"
ReplyDeleteI'm behind......
ReplyDeleteEddie ..you are almost as passionate about dumping Lebo as you were about the Rollison Express.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I hope TR get's it together and is allowed to change his mind. I mean ...you know ...with Cam Newton being hurt and all ..oh ..wait ..uh
Done, done...on to the next one.
ReplyDeleteBeen waiting and will wait some more. But I know JayG will come through with the real story.
ReplyDeleteProof alligators are among us!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080712/NEWS/807120323?Title=Alligators-making-a-home-in-North-Alabama
sing it Foo!
ReplyDeleteI love it scott choco
ReplyDelete"Lebo Lego"
Michael - made a home? Those are the friendly domestic alligators. Heck, I bet some of them are already members of the local country club. It's the rogue homeless gators that lurk in the shadows waiting to eat you and/or your pets that concern me.
ReplyDeleteLebo is out, per WJOX
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKentucky trailed by 4 points @ the 15 min oint of the second half but now lead 57 52 at the 8 min mark
ReplyDeleteAnd the Goldmine:
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.al.com/goldmine/2010/03/jeff_lebo_is_out_as_auburn_bas.html
Kathy did we scoop Jay G?
ReplyDeleteFrancisco Aihe's Facebook status: "oo man, things about to get reeeeeealll ugly in auburn for a minute. you will soon see what im talking about."
ReplyDeleteNo. JGT knows Lebo is out he is waiting for the official word. He had it at 98+%.
ReplyDeletethat's 40 lashes Kathy!
ReplyDeleteSomeone in the athletic department needs to lob Scott Drew's (Baylor HC) agent a phone call.
ReplyDeleteMe either Tar Hill
ReplyDeleteWade obviously not familiar with HABOTN sourcing and protocol.
ReplyDeleteCall me naive and uninformed...who is Francisco Aihe?
ReplyDeleteHeel that is
ReplyDelete2% scoopage
ReplyDeleteShould I delete my comment? I didn't mean to step on any toes.
ReplyDeleteKathy - you provided a source. I don't think "JOX" qualifies, though.
ReplyDeleteHoopie- Yeah, but I've been this way for awhile. Change in this situation is good.
ReplyDeleteRollison- I really hope he stays for the Spring and competes. That could change things for him.
Did we not pursue Mike Anderson for the job originally, when Ellis was fired?
ReplyDeleteI don't want any dukie at AU!!!
ReplyDeleteManning? Hmmmm
Francis Aihe used to be an Auburn player. Now he's a manager or something like that.
ReplyDeleteCalm down, it was just a joke. I am very familiar with HABOTN protocol; I'm here daily, post rarely.
ReplyDeleteAnderson refused to interview for the job in 2004, so Ed Richardson scratched his name from the list.
ReplyDeletethanks for educating the ignorant, JGT.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about who the hot basketball coaches are right now, so I'll leave that debate up to the rest of you Hotties.
ReplyDeleteAihe didn't play much at all and went by "Francis" instead of "Francisco", I think.
ReplyDeleteJGT - did the athletic dept give the beat writers a time for some presser, or did they just say "y'all should hang around the athletic complex on Friday"
ReplyDeleteI guess the Lebo Watch is over. That went fast.
ReplyDeleteOr slow if you've been watching for 6 years.
ReplyDeleteLOL, WEG!
ReplyDeletejust reported on espn.
ReplyDeleteSomeone I trust told me last night that I needed to be here today.
ReplyDeleteGinger Hottie for AUBBHC.
ReplyDeletebham news reporting the moving van is on its way too.
ReplyDeletewhat are you doing here, chip chip? Shouldn't you be getting that uhaul over to Lebo's house?
ReplyDeleteNice avatar change Chip.
ReplyDeleteJust got a text that Lebo is out. You can use me as the source. I'm credible.
ReplyDeleteTell you what, I could get REALLY excited about Danny Manning.
They are talking about Lebo on the SEC network and saying the Birminghan news has reported that he is gone. They are defending Lebo saying he wasn't given a fair shake.
ReplyDeleteHe should get a couple of years with the new facility.
66 63 Ky 1:30 left
yea, but in the end it is hard for the family...kids in school etc. It's a tough way to make a living but it pays more than my job.
ReplyDeleteWell I did like Lebo, but I do understand this move.
ReplyDeleteWith a new arena opening, this may be the only shot at attracting a superior talent base of coaches.
I believe in Lebo, and I love him.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Lebo has put up with more of our crap than we have put up with his losing.
Danny Manning ... Wow. I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight.
ReplyDeleteOf course, this is a military wife talking and I was moving every 2 years but the pay wasn't quite as good.
ReplyDeleteI agree API. Of course, it would be very hard for me to dislike a former Tar Heel.
ReplyDeleteI just got one thing to say ... Buh bye.
ReplyDeleteAshley Judd now standing and cheering.
ReplyDeleteWHERE???
ReplyDeleteAt the KY game
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFinal KY 73 Al 67
ReplyDeletewith that news, I'm just as happy as Ashley... just not as attractive.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about Danny Manning's coaching prowess. I do know he was one of the best college players I've ever watched.
ReplyDeleteI watched Danny's dad play for the Carolina Cougars in the ABA. Got a program somewhere with all their autographs
ReplyDeletei wonder if we see a mass exodus of recruits and underclassmen as happened when lebo was hired.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about Johnny Jones or Ron Hunter.
ReplyDeleteI just think it is a mistake to get rid of him but will live with the decision.
ReplyDeleteChuck Person is not the answer.
Sidney Lowe, Sidney Moncrief, Clyde Drexler were just but 3 great players at their school that flopped as HC at their school.
FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletechip...
ReplyDeleteWe have recruits?
Bham news is reporting Lebo has been fired. Hope they have a really good plan and act quickly. I like a few of the names G listed. Although I don't know anything about his coaching ability I think Person would bring a lot of energy to Auburn. I am also interested in Manning.
ReplyDeletekillingsworth etc. leaving almost immediately said "uh-oh" to me from day one but i just hoped it was malcontent players not wanting to adjust to a new system. prolly a little of both but his lack of success over the longer term kind of validates those players that decided to leave for whatever reason. they saw a better chance of success somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteAnderson would be a good choice, but the others don't really bring much in my opinion. I would like us to look at the New Mexico and the BYU coaches.
ReplyDeleteKillingsworth didn't exactly light it up after he left, either.
ReplyDeleteChip, Killingsworth had a poor attitude and didn't want to work hard for Lebo. The story I alwasy heard was that Ellis had been allowing him to pretty much do what he wanted and to work out when ever he wanted instead of with the team.
ReplyDeletelebo supposedly had a pretty highly rated bunch coming in next year. that was one of the things folks that wanted to keep him used to make their case. but we've heard this story before.
ReplyDeleteellis had wrecked it pretty bad when lebo got here sign juco heavy class after juco heavy class and not developing an internal pipeline. lebo did well with the few bodies he was allowed over the first few years.
OK. Moratorium on all "Birmingham News is reporting" comments.
ReplyDeleteWe know that. We've discussed that. I told you all that. I have rules under which I must operate and that's how it's going to be.
These are not my rules, but I must live by them nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteSeems like after he left AU, I remember Killingsworth saying something about making it to the NBA and Marquis Daniels saying, "The only way he's getting to the NBA is if he buys a ticket".
ReplyDeleteyep, the B'ham news isn't providing any proof.
ReplyDeleteWe are with you JGT I made my comments of the TV guys because of the way they were defending Lebo.
ReplyDeleteSportswriter Tate - would it be inappropriate to say "Norm is reporting..."?
ReplyDeletei know a few of those players were kinda punks. as i said, some of that was malcontent players. but don't you think calapari has to put up with some s**t from cousins and wall? sometimes as a bball coach you gotta pucker up to get the high profile guys and win games.
ReplyDeletejgt, as homage to mister lebo, please post the picture of him with jj and fortner at the arena groundbreaking on the firing thread.
John Brady, MIke Anderson are the two I would like to see. If not htem, go after the Baylor, Sam houston State or Niagra HC.
ReplyDeleteBirmingham News is reporting that a local 9 year old kid came in 3rd place in an NFL punt, pass, and kick contest.
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.al.com/press-register-sports/2010/03/local_9-year-old_a_top_kicker.html
Oh sorry Jay G, my bad. Didn't see the moratorium until now.
ReplyDeleteCharles' reporting is spot on, I'm sure of it, but I can't just credit information like that to the wind. I have to put a name with it.
ReplyDeleteHas the west won a game vs the east in the tourney yet?
ReplyDeleteKillingsworth went to Indiana U
ReplyDeleteOne kid went to play at Ole Miss and did well
One kid went to FSU and did very well.
Why did they not stay at AU?
So there has been no official annoucement from Auburn.
ReplyDeleteNobody is fired until Jay G says he is fired!!!
ReplyDeleteWERk-UAT beat So Carolina last night. That is all.
ReplyDelete$1.5M buyout. cry me a river.
ReplyDeletehow about, "...according to Mr. Sources of the Auburn Athletic Department."
ReplyDeleteWould that work?
Of those names ... my preference would be ...
ReplyDelete1. Anderson
2. Hunter
3. Jones
Scott Drew would be a fool to come to Auburn. I'm not interested in Brady.
I think we're looking the right direction. It's just a matter of finding the right guy.
Bellefay1, that $1.5 Million he is going to collect should ease some of his pain. I am not certain getting rid of Lebo is the best thing for Auburn, but he ain't going to be hurting anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteWatch Lebo go somewhere else now and take off like a rocket.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Lebo cut off all the departed players' "supplementary stipend".
ReplyDeleteehyou it could happen
ReplyDeleteMichael ... exactly.
ReplyDeleteJGT - are y'all hanging around outside, or in the press room, or banging on JJ's door?
ReplyDeleteLebo won 63% of games at Tenn Tech, 66% at Chattanooga and 50% at AU. (overall record)
ReplyDeleteHis family will do Just Fine with that $1.5 Mill byout Bellefay1.
ReplyDeletehigher competition level in sec?
ReplyDeleteDidn't Dewayne Curtis, follow the money...I mean an assistant coach to Ole Miss?
ReplyDeleteToney Douglas just went where his dad wanted him to go.
I still am of the belief that huge buyouts are hollow after you have failed professionally. It's not like he was hurting for money before, and money don't buy happiness.
ReplyDeletethat is the seedy underbelly calapari etc. revel in dealing with to get the big time players and big time wins.
ReplyDeleteI've got happiness. I just want some money.
ReplyDeleteMichael, being miserable with $1.5 Million is much better than being miserable without it.
ReplyDeleteBuy-outs never cover the pain.
ReplyDeleteFor the man or family.
I used myself as the source because I AM PHRED. I am a source unto myself.
ReplyDeleteI think we do have the things we need to attract a good coach. We have A LOT OF MONEY. We also have a BRAND NEW ARENA, and it is seriously bad ass. We have a pretty good recruiting class coming in. But the first two, that makes the deal a deal. We could get somebody good if we are willing to pay for it and he would be walking into an environment (new arena) where he could make himself a legend. Really.
Jay does the school set an embargo until an official announcement?
ReplyDeleteI understand entertainment press/pr, but have little knowledge of sports press.
i really hope lebo does prove what a poop ship the AU bball program itself was while he was here and succeeds wherever he lands. we all need to understand there were a lot things apparently out of his control as far as player recruitment, facilities etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to test that theory for $1.5million, digger ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to step on anyone's toes G. I was just stating what I heard on during the KU/UAT game.
ReplyDeleteTwo coaches I don't want are Brady and Charles Barkley.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to test your theory Michael.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with Brady.
ReplyDeleteYes, a buyout is better than nothing. But I am sure the feeling is more akin to collecting life insurance than it is getting an actual performance bonus.
ReplyDeleteJimmy - it's Jay's boss, the Montgomery Advertiser that does not allow JGT to post any news without a defined source. I.e. "sources say" just doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeletethen just don't ever extend his contract and let it run out. no buyout. then hire new coach. then you impact recruiting etc. not that lebo having job security has improved the talent level he has brought in over the last 4+ years.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJohn Brady ain't happenin.
ReplyDeleteChip- Coaches used to have multi-year contract without buyouts and if you don't think so, just look at bama to see so.
ReplyDeleteCH ... On brady and barkley, we agree!
ReplyDeleteBrady won't happen due to NCAA issues would be my guess then.
ReplyDeleteAt 2:45 p.m., Jet says the most logical, achievable candidate -- and an impressive one if you research him -- is Ron Hunter of IUPUI.
ReplyDeleteif the next coach can simply improve ft shooting by 10% AU wins 4-6 more games a year on average and is on the bubble most years if not in the tourney. i definitely expect a rebuilding year next year whoever the coach is.
ReplyDeleteGo after Steve Alford at New Mexico. He would be a top notch hire, but doubt he would leave.
ReplyDeleteJet- Auburn has a history in hiring coaches that have lost to the previous HC in his last season.
ReplyDeletegot it THT, just good solid Journalism
ReplyDeleteWhat is all this pity crap. AU is not running a charity. Lebo sucked. Period. You don't get paid for suckin'.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to never be wrong on breaking news. I'm at 100% for my career so far.
ReplyDeleteI just heard Tony Barbee mentioned. Who is that?
ReplyDeleteWell said Phred.
ReplyDeleteBarkley has proven that his skill set is more suited to the Taco industry and evaluating football coaching hires. I wouldn't want to see him spoil that by letting basketball interfere.
ReplyDeletePhred - presumably you're referring to athletics specifically?
ReplyDeleteoh i'm sure there are plenty of coaches without buyouts. it's just that it can and will be used against you on the the cruitin' trail if your coach doesn't have one. i don't think you should get nuthin' if you suck at what you do. lebo didn't suck, but his results were below average for whatever reason(s) folks like to cite.
ReplyDeleteWhy the hate? The guy's leaving. You pay the man like you said you would. Shake his hand. Thank him, and send him on his way.
ReplyDeleteNo reason to be tacky.
ehyou- Barbee is the UTEP coach, a Calipari disciple.
ReplyDeleteTony Barbee = UTEP.
ReplyDeleteGood coach. Likely to hold out for something better than AU.
i want a golden parachute. i'd pawn that fool.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, Ole Miss was the only SEC team we beat the year before we hired Tuberville. I always considered that a unique strategy.
ReplyDeleteJGT did you see Jay? Andrew Gribble said Athletic Director Jay Jacobs and assistant athletic director Bernard Hill just walked into the locker rooms to address the team.
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.oanow.com/oan/oasports/comments/report_jeff_lebo_out_as_auburns_head_coach/137872/
We hate because it is an Auburn tradition to hate former coaches.
ReplyDeleteNot many people hate Pat Dye.
ReplyDeletewith the village and AU arena etc., AU may be something better. this is not the old AU program and i see them being able to attract many candidates with a wide variety of upside in how they operate their programs.
ReplyDeleteHi Hotties! I'm back to the land of the living. Got home at 10:30, hubby poured me into bed and I just now regained consciousness. The drugs were great - all I remember is the nurse telling me how pretty my nails were and then I was gone!
ReplyDeleteScott C, I come up as Vincent on that little tracker thingy. Not sure why.
Glad to get back before the fireworks started.
yep, it was Ole Miss in '98 sfc. i went to every freaking game that year. 3-8. never again!
ReplyDeletedo they need a bball coach in lubbock?
ReplyDeleteDye got us on probation and let the program get out of control. I don't hate him, but he made some bad mistakes.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you with the living, Cincy. We were hoping for a live blog this morning.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking cage match?
ReplyDeletemaybe tubs could hire lebo to coach his WRs.
ReplyDeleteScottie- All your fault. You drug us down that year and we had to ship you off to a different sport.
ReplyDeletedye was instrumental in getting the iron bowl into Auburn, AL. nough said.
ReplyDeleteNew name:
ReplyDeleteVincent "Bo" Cincy
Chip- He would have had about the same qualifications as Knox had.
ReplyDeleteCoach Dye made us relevant. Made us winners.
ReplyDeleteYou still have to love the way Dye turned the program around in the early 80s. He was a tough nosed coach. Many players quit the team when he arrived, but those that stayed ended up loving him.
ReplyDeleteOnly at Auburn could a thread about a fired basketball coach turn into a football thread. Got to love it :).
ReplyDeleteAnd PMarsh is reporting .....
ReplyDeleteLebo = long snapper coach.
ReplyDeleteNah. Just kidding. I wish the guy tons of success at a small school somewhere.
Dang right, Eduardo.
ReplyDeleteI know where Jay is, I haven't yet spoken with him. I expect to get something from him within the hour.
ReplyDeletedoes he name his source, API?
ReplyDeletea few more sec champs than tubs too.
ReplyDeletetubs and tot still have the undefeated season to their credit.
i have thought every coach since barfield has been a very good fit and just what AU needed at the time he was hired. biggest question to me of all was chiz. no more.
Agreed Steve on the health being part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteWould Person be a good choice as the basketball coach? He certainly has the name recognition and I don't recall him having the foot in mouth disease of Barkley.
ReplyDeleteNorm - your assumption is correct. I thought about that right after I hit enter. I thought "Boy, Micheal is going to have a field day with that one."
ReplyDeleteJet - if you were talking to me, I'm not hating. He should get his buy out because that was THE DEAL. Deals should not be broken. I was referring to the sympathy comments.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteExcept for Terry Bowden, how many former Auburn head coaches are hated?
Thanks for your "tradition" lesson.
THT - Nope.
ReplyDeleteScott Drew, Scott Drew, Scott Drew.
ReplyDeleteSay that name over and over hotties, you will like it.
That's my guy, but I could be wishing on a star.
You are welcome.
ReplyDeleteFlip the page
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer something here - but I'm not a B'ball fan - but will sit back watch and listen and try to learn.
ReplyDeleteKeep an eye on the coach from UTEP. Also the assistant at U Tenn.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything, but saying keep an eye on them.
Phred ...
ReplyDeleteBoy, you're strict.
It's not like Lebo ever went duck hunting.
As for examples, Franklin, Borges, Muschamp, and even Chizik come to mind. Yes, the hate was flowing for Chizik when he headed to Texas.
ReplyDeleteBarbee is a good one, yes.
ReplyDeleteI was upset When Petrino left...
ReplyDeleteWhat In The Hell Was I Thinking!!!!
What if I told you Chuck Person would bring with him a recognizable name from the NBA and college ranks?
ReplyDeletei don't hate tot. he could have been better if he had any work ethic while he was there. AU needed a hire like tot and his hot start should have made him and AU take off like a rocket. similarly, tubs looks to have mailed it in after 04 on the trail. bammer had to find a way to take dye down and he and his coaches gave them all the ammo they needed.
ReplyDeletefyi, i am reporting to all jeff lebo has been fired.
Apparently Steve's definition of hate is different than mine. I'm sure it's on the only word that might be different, but it is among them.
ReplyDeleteSteveFC - just because you hated doesn't mean we all hated. Only one name comes to mind that deserved the hate... it's on the tip of my tongue.... oh yes, now I remember... TRAITOR.
ReplyDeleteLoganville ... the truth is ... you were right. Petrino is a heckuva coach. He just has wandering eyes like a lot of 'em.
ReplyDeletelemme guess JG......
ReplyDeleteWESLEY PERSON?????
:)
I wonder if we end up going after another up and comer, of if Auburn will go after a successful coach at a decent school.
ReplyDeleteJGT - what if I told you... NO, PLEASE NO!!!
ReplyDeleteNot Wesley Person, no.
ReplyDeletei want a program marketer. you can win more with more talent and less coaching. with good coaching and less talent...i give you AU basketball under jeff lebo.
ReplyDeleteOff topic but,
ReplyDeletePicture of hate