Hey everyone. Athletic director Jay Jacobs has confirmed what we have been discussing for a few hours.Jeff Lebo is now a part of Auburn history.
"I want to thank Coach Lebo for all that he has done for Auburn University over the past six years," Jacobs said. "Coach Lebo has worked hard and has always represented Auburn with character, class and integrity. However, we feel like the time has come for Auburn basketball to move in a new direction. We deeply appreciate all that he and his staff have done for Auburn, and we wish each of them and their families nothing but the best."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
TOAST.
ReplyDeletePatience!
ReplyDeleteOH MY!!! substance
ReplyDeleteIt is a new era for a new arena.
ReplyDeleteI like cheese toast.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jay G. I think Jacobs put it very well. Lebo did lead us through some troubling times and deserves credit for handling himself in a very professional manner.
ReplyDeleteOff to the gym. Talk to you Hotties later! Hopefully the new coach will bring excitement to AU BB.
ReplyDeleteAgain from a dude who doesn't follow basketball much at all, when you're referring to Persons as a potential, are you saying Chuck or Wesley? Have either of them gotten their degree recently? If not, doesn't that eliminate them from consideration?
ReplyDeletea new direction? I hope he doesn't mean a direction without "worked hard... character, class and integrity."
ReplyDeleteWell best wishes...
ReplyDeleteJay does Chuck Person have a college degree? If he doesn't, is that really a sticking point for a potential coach at Auburn?
ReplyDeleteNow according to SteveFC's before stated new Auburn tradition, we all must now hate Jeff Lebo.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I think it was time for change, it is kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteNorm - no degree = no HC gig. I don't know their personal academic status.
ReplyDeletecincy, you are not allowed to be sad. Toughen up!
ReplyDeleteTHT, that sounds right. I have worked for a university in Alabama and I believe I have heard that before.
ReplyDeleteWell, whatever prediction I make next, choose the opposite result. I predicted Auburn would beat Florida, I predicted Lebo would stay, so I have one more wrong prediction to get to the obligatory three.
ReplyDeletenow that I've heard it from JGT, I believe it. I'm going downstairs to shoot some hockey pucks.
ReplyDelete... and I believe in Auburn and love it.
Reponse to Wade from previous thread, abour Ron Hunter.
ReplyDeleteI like that he's the coach that took them from NAIA to Division II to Division I.
I like that once his team joined a league, after struggling for three years, they've won since then.
I like that he's built a team with local kids.
I like that he coached a game in bare feet to help raise donated shoes for Samaritan's Feet. Ultimately, they raised 250,000 pairs of shoes.
Nobody knew to look at this guy until recently.
WEG, I asked nicely that people stop doing that and API just had to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteIt's unusual that HOTTIES blow through the few stop signs I post around here.
michael,
ReplyDeleteI think it's that "heart light" thing you spoke of on the previous thread.
Jet, that sounds pretty darn good.
ReplyDeleteNew thread, new tough love point of view cincy!
ReplyDeleteJay, I promise I ain't API. I know the rules and stop at all stop signs
ReplyDeleteI think Jay G made it clear where things stood with Lebo very early. The repeated such and such is reporting is pointless. If it had been something breaking that Jay may not have heard about, just posting that I have heard... To repeatedly beat the same dead horse is pointless, and I do appreciate waiting for confirmation. There are other beat writers that have embarrassed themselves by jumping the gun and something turning out to be wrong.
ReplyDeletestop....in the name of love.
ReplyDeletePlease.
ReplyDeletei would like to report that i will be attending MLB's opening day in the ATL. Braves hosting the Cubbies. just thought i'd make that clear. CHOP CHOP.
ReplyDeleteI say we should at least lob a phone call to Scott Drew's agent.
ReplyDeleteScottie,
ReplyDeleteI will be attending that game as well.
i'm way up top in 401 RK.
ReplyDeleteIV, did Jay G accuse you of being API at some point? Did I miss something?
ReplyDeleteFor the record, yes, I am actually API.
Interesting quote from Indianapolis newspaper hack in Ron Hunter's official IUPUI bio.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to be excited over someone losing their job...Yay!!
ReplyDeleteLooking at Drew's record is interesting. He had about 4 bad seasons at Baylor before he turned things around. He might be a good choice.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the outfield, I believe it's 144.
ReplyDeleteQuitstina? where you been gal?
ReplyDeleteRK, i would've liked better but i planned this trip on a budget. i'll just be happy to be there.
Quitstina ... you can change your name back if you're gonna keep showing up like this.
ReplyDeleteAuburn needs to hire a minority.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't say that because of Chuck Barkley. I say that because it's the truth.
ReplyDeleteJet Hates- All the things on your list are things to like and admire about the man. My point is that typically the up and comers at lower level/ lesser conference schools get scooped up by the better programs upon completion of some significant accomplishment (see Bruce Pearl). The fact that Hunter has not given he took IUPUI to its first NCAA appearance raises the question in my mind. Not saying he aint "the man" just wondering.
ReplyDeleteAU desperately need a bruce-pearl type. you can't freakin' watch tv every nite here w/o seeing his mug on the tv in a commercial. he's everywhere shouting about UT basketball. this town loves him. it's hard not to.
ReplyDeleteJay G ... that's the gospel.
ReplyDeleteI don't think hiring a minority should be the goal. Hire the best candidate. I don't really care what color they happen to be. I am pretty much against racial discrimination, whether it is for or against. Just get the coach that can get the job done.
ReplyDeleteAuburn needs to hire the best coach available to be hired by Auburn, regardless of ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteI believe I will attended more basketball games next year then I did in the last six years. No matter whom we get. Just saying
ReplyDeleteWade: Hear me now, listen to me later. I'm just telling you where Auburn is and where it will be.
ReplyDeleteI think the new coach should be an Iraqi woman. Let's cross a few boundaries at once.
ReplyDeleteI'm was once encouraged to leave a job so the employer could diversify the workplace. I loved that job, and I'll never have it again. I didn't like what happened, but deep in my heart I knew that my employer understood that it needed to reflect its client base and potential client base in its management.
ReplyDeleteAuburn NEEDS to look to for aqualified minority in this slot. Frankly, I believe it gives us the best chance to be competitive. We've tried it one way for 19 coaches, I don't think it's going to be the end of the world if we try something else. We might find it to be successful.
Michael ... only if she's a crossdresser with one arm.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a minority would be preferred. Particularly now that Grant is at Bama.
ReplyDeleteAlso Jay G, don't take the hand tying your newspaper does to you on these sorts of breaking stories too hard. It sucks to have to wait to get word out, but hey, you built something cool here that is more than just breaking news. I am sure you wouldn't trade blogs with Charles with the al.com comments situation being what it is, wouldja? Viva HABOTN!
ReplyDeleteI am back.. not that anyone missed me with all this ballyhoo going on. My server has become totally unreliable like some bb coaches. I would fire it but do not have the $$$ to pay for the buyout.
ReplyDeleteI really think Barbee could be something special. But I don't want him anywhere near AU if he operates the way Coach Cal does.
ReplyDeleteJGT- I don’t disagree that Auburn should peruse qualified coaches of color, in fact were I the AD my national search would spotlight all the best minority coaches. If however when it is time to name names, I do not believe it is right for race to be the defining issue.
ReplyDeleteRacial problems have existed at Auburn in the past. Actually, Shug Jordan had a huge problem in the early 70s because of how some of his actions were perceived.
ReplyDeleteI just believe that discrimination based upon something that isn't relavent to the job to be performed is wrong, no matter what the intentions.
There are counter examples, such as the first black Supreme Court justic, which I thought was necessary so that the court would be able to see all viewpoints. I cannot begin to assume I know the world from a black perspective.
I just don't see that as important in terms of a basketball coach. Just hire the most qualified person that gives us the best chance to win and run a clean program.
....racial discussion...crickets....
ReplyDeleteI hope Jacobs is color blind and goes after the best coach for Auburn.
ReplyDeleteI don't wish color blindness upon anyone.
ReplyDeleteForget hiring a minority! That wont make Auburn basketball anymore appealing. We should hire Barkley!! Now that would make people want to watch AU basketball. We'll maybe not but it would make them want to watch the post game interviews!
ReplyDeleteJay admit it, Barkley would be a reporters dream!
Auburn has had enough bad press in this area, that we better have a really good reason not to hire a minority. And hiring a white dude just because he is the "most qualified" certainly won't cut it.
ReplyDeleteChizik certainly wasn't the "most-qualified" of our candidates but he was the best fit for Auburn. A minority will be the best fit in this situation, I think.
You don't think other teams will use that against us in recruiting?
But Kristeenuh, Auburn can't hire a minority because Auburn is a bunch of racists. Didn't you know that?
ReplyDeleteMichael is joking.
ReplyDeleteNot sure to whom your post is directed, Nancy, but I know I didn't say that we couldn't have a winning program without a minority coach and don't think I read where any one else said that either.
ReplyDeleteBarkley is our answer!
ReplyDeleteBack the Brinks truck up to Mike Anderson's house..
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't work Mark Gottfried needs a job.
Has a short list been released of potential replacements?
ReplyDeleteNancy, I'd say the evidence is clear that we haven't been winning consistently the way we've been doing it to this point.
ReplyDeleteI am under the impression that contract discussions are already being held with candidate A. I do not think this will be a long "search".
ReplyDeleteWe are one year late on the best minority hire.
ReplyDeleteIf AU could have done this last year, we would have had a chance at Anthony Grant who was a very hot coach.
If minority hire is a priority, i would like to know besides Anderson and Davis, who is out there with a resume that has the following:
1. great relentless recruiter
2. He is a HC
3. His teams have been to the NCAA
4. He has skills to generate interest on and off campus
any takers out there????
I'm with Quitstina
ReplyDeleteThe optimal work is "Fit",
Mike Anderson would be a great Fit.
If only he will take us
I think the hire will generate buzz and some excitement about the program, but will also raise questions until he can prove himself.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is an absolute must, he must hire very good assistants with very strong recruiting ties. Name will only go so far... A top notch staff is a must.
I actually, would not mind seeing Gottfried as an assistant coach. The guy can recruit.
Scottie - If your low in section 401 - you wil LOVE those seats - I try to get them when i go - very vost effective.
ReplyDeleteis lebo the mike shula of AU bball?
ReplyDeleteI would take a serious look at the list Jay G posted on the previous thread. Jay ain't no dummy. He doesn't just throw out names without reason.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the minority, Jay. I like Tony Barbee, but he's a hot commodity and I'm not sure he would be available for Auburn. I also like Chuck Person.
ReplyDeletewow, didn't take Jay Jacobs long to send out a lengthy email to the AU Family. I wish I could compose such letters so quickly.
ReplyDeleteSend me the letter!
ReplyDeleteI thought a true Auburn homer like you would have been on the email list ;-)
ReplyDeletewell, if we're this close
ReplyDeletewe might as well
ReplyDeletego ahead with...
ReplyDeleteBEASLEY!!!
ReplyDeletejayg-Message on FB for you.
ReplyDelete