Tony Barbee speaks

Hey everyone. Auburn's new coach, Tony Barbee, will hold his introductory press conference at 5 p.m. CST.

I am here. I will post salient information.

• Jay Jacobs: "It's remarkable how he's been able to build them in all three ways of life. As you sat with Tony Barbee, you heard his passion, his vision and his plan for Auburn basketball."
  
  
• Barbee: ``War Eagle! I learn quickly. It's a great day to be an Auburn Tiger."
  
  
• "It was a very difficult decision to leave UTEP and the players because of how I do it -- it's all about relationships and family. When I looked at Auburn and I looked at this wonderful university ... first class ... and looked at this wonderful community ... first class ... when I looked at this beautiful arena ... that decision because easy to make."
  
  
• Referred to Auburn as "the best university in the state of Alabama ... and making it one of the best programs in this conference."
  
  
• "Jay, I won't disappoint."
  
  
• "I'm a guy that's very thorough and a guy who does his homework."
  
  
• "It is my responsibility to live up to that bar that's been raised by all those great athletic programs at this university."
  
  
• "There is a precedent ... it has been done before. Why can't it be done again? That's why I'm here. There is noone who is going to out-work my staff and I. I'll work every day to make these players proud, the former players proud, the fans proud."
  
  
• He referred to Auburn Arena as the nicest arena in the league ... "and maybe in the country."
  
  
• ``The commitment has been made. My commitment to you is to take the program to heights it's never seen before."
  
  
• On his style: ``It will be fun. It'll do one thing. I've been to postseason play in 18 of 19 years. I'm madder than heck about that one year. We were starting over at UTEP. This style is built to win in March. It's a team you're going to be seeing play deep into March."
  
  
• To former players: "My office, my house and my phone will always be open to you."
  
  
• To current players: ``Your idea of fun and my idea of fun might be a little different. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I've never been afraid of working hard."
  
  
• To the incoming recruiting class: ``I'll be getting in touch with you very soon to remind you why Auburn is such a special place."
  
  
• "Let's all get on the train."
  
  
• "We're going to go after and attract the best players in the country that fit with me, that fit with Auburn University, that fit for what Auburn stands for. We're not going to be afraid to go after the best players in the country."
  
  
• "We're going to be recruiting the media for exposure for support, recruiting the community, I'll recruit the student. My responsibility is to rekindle that love affair between the community and this basketball program."
  
  
• Scheduling: ``It's built on one thing -- getting into the NCAA Tournament."
  
  
• ``I've known John Calipari since I was 14 years old. He was my coach at camp. He's my mentor, he's my friend, he'll always be my coach."
  
  
• ``We're going right after Kentucky and we're going right after Coach Calipari. It's not an easy thing to do. Once we catch him, guess where we'll be. We'll be on top."
  
  
• "This is the second job in a row that I've taken without visiting. For me -- it's not about bricks and mortar. It's about people. There is a passion here."
  
  
• "We're going to apply pressure for 40 minutes. We'll play an up-tempo game ... but it's not helter-skelter. It's not run-and-gun. We'll be disciplined."
  
  
• "Everything is in place for you to ... sustain a championship-level program."
  
  
• "The success football has had here can only help with basketball."
  
  
• "I'm challenging our students. I'm challenging our fan base. We need you. We need each and every one of you there -- every night. It's my job to get the students engaged."
  
  
• THAT'S A WRAP