Is Tommy Tuberville's Job On The Line?
by Jay Coulter on Oct 14, 2008 3:00 AM CDT
in Football
39 comments
These are weird times on the Plains.
Can all the talk be true? Is Tommy Tuberville really playing the rest of this season to save his job? That was the question posed to Tuberville by a reporter following Saturday's loss to Arkansas. It's a question that continues to be asked today on radio shows and message boards across the internet. And it's not coming just from our neighbors to the North. Some Auburn people are actually floating the idea.
Clemson's firing of Tommy Bowden yesterday will only intensify the talk here in Alabama. Both programs started the season ranked in the top ten and both have seen their conference title aspirations and bowl hopes all but eliminated. To compare Tuberville with Bowden is simply ridiculous; but for many, facts never get in the way of a good story.
I was critical of Tuberville releasing Tony Franklin last week in the middle of the year. Many of you agreed with me and an equal number didn't. I thought the alternative was worse than Franklin staying on-board until the end of the year. After Saturday night, we're probably just splitting hairs. Either way you cut it, it's bad.
Tuberville has tanked for the second time in six years. Despite not having a proven quarterback, the Tigers were expected to make its first trip to the SEC Championship Game since 2004. The schedule and returning starters all played into Tuberville's favor.
Franklin's offense was supposed to produce more plays from scrimmage and leave opposing defenses gasping for breath. Rod Smith and Robert Dunn were expected to compete for the title of "Second Coming of Terry Beasley" or at the least rival Frank Sanders. It was a calculated risk that failed badly. It's a move that threatens Auburn's heralded recruiting class and leaves fans wondering where the team goes from here.
Plain and simple: Tuberville has laid an egg. Make that a big, fat Ostrich egg.
With that said, it's preposterous for anyone to even suggest that Tuberville should fear for his job. What if I told you in late 1998 that Tuberville would post a 7-2 record against Alabama (including six straight), a 5-4 record against Georgia and a 4-4 record against LSU? Let me also add that he would finish in the top 25 for five of the last six seasons.
And don't forget that little run in 2004 where he ran the table in the SEC and came within an eyelash of a national championship. Had he not recruited so many quality running backs, Auburn would likely have its third Heisman Trophy sitting in the Athletic Department.
If promised all that way back on November 28, 1998, would you have taken it? If promised that, I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven. What has changed?
What has happened to some Auburn people? What has happened to the Alumni who pull the purse strings on the Plains? Do they not see what the rest of the fans and alumni see? We all know the rocky history between Tuberville and athletic director Jay Jacobs. We all remember Jet Gate and Bobby Lowder's role in the fiasco.
If you believe that's water under the bridge, you're sadly mistaken. Under normal circumstances this season would be just a bump in the road. With Tuberville it's much more. I still believe Tuberville would be sitting in Fayetteville, Arkansas, today had it not been for the $6 million buyout in his contract and the support of everyday Auburn fans.
Don't be surprised to see Jacobs work with Tuberville to release him from his buyout and negotiate with another school at year's end. The Jet Gate crew finally has an opening and you can bet they will jump on it.
Auburn fans are in danger of losing its most decent and honorable coach since Shug Jordan. Yes, this season is ugly. Tuberville has struggled. But the good far out weighs the bad. Tuberville has earned the right to be called an Auburn man. Now it's Auburn's turn to defend him.
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Amen
Amen!
I hate to think of him leaving Auburn.
Notice
Its more “Fans” then Graduates that have a shorter temper when it comes to losing and calling for the head coaches job… i say give him till the end of his contract. Its about time people started honoring what they sign on both sides
I once asked the question why are there so many Alabama fans that never graduated from the university? I was told its because their parents were fans and it was passed down.........(my response after a pause).....similar to racism.....?
Auburn would be crazy
to let Tubs go. He brought honor and winning back to the the Plains, not to mention 6 wins against our most hated rival.
KEEP TUBERVILLE!
WAR EAGLE
Agree
Jay is correct. It sickens me almost as bad to hear all the fire Tuberville talk as it did on Saturday hearing all the boo birds.
If you are a War Damn Eagle, you can War Damn anything.
A great article by Barnhart....
Tony has written agreat article today that directly addresses this topic and the context WEAs article yesterday.
Hell yeah......
Don’t be a fool. Tuberville has done way to much for Auburn for us to simply cast him aside when the chips are down. We would be foolish indeed to throw him under the bus. But you can bet that Lowder is licking his chops at the notion that Tuberville could be fired. You can also bet that Lowder is casting his thoughts about it as often as possible. I appears once again that we may have to save Tubby’s job. Although last time we did it, He gave us an undefeated season as a present.
War Eagle all.
okay first off i will say that i love Tuberville and think he’s been a great coach and helped save the program after the Bowden debacle. Auburn has been highly competive and a consistend top 25 team under his run. i’ll always be greatful for 2004. but let’s be honest, he’s never gonna win a National Title and isn’t that what Auburn fans really want? with Saban up in Bama the talent gap could get really wide, really damn quick. Auburn needs a coach who is a hell of a recruiter who has won a title before…someone named Butch Davis. it might be bad karma to fire a coach who has beaten your rival 6 times in a row…but isn’t Tubs the guy who always seems like he might leave Auburn for the right situation? i’d hate to see Auburn actually fire CTT…but if it happens, i’m not gonna pretend like the world is gonna explode.
Tuberville is the best coach for AU...
and its time people stopped calling Bowdens exit from the plains anything but what it was…. Lowders mess. Lowder was the culprit and Bowden was the scapegoat period. Lowder is the scurge of AU. Why do you think that Tuberville can’t win a NC at AU that just baffles me. You can’t be serious. Tuberville is head and shoulders above what you could bring in Butch Davis would be a lateral move and why do you think he would leave the comfort of UNC for the feudal overlording Lowder controlled AU program. My god does no one remember what it was like before jetgate? Does no one remember Eric Ramsey? Granted the man is a low life and an ingreat but he just exposed the beast he didn’t create it. Bobby Lowder must not be allowed to regain control in the AD and as soon as Tuberville is gone he has it. Jay Jacobs is a Lowder yes man and if the AU faithful stop supporting Tuberville then they will have the opening to get rid of him. If you really love AU then you must support Tuberville and let him right the ship.
it should also be noted i didn't sleep much last night
so i’m probably just crazy this morning.
by suicidewatch on Oct 14, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm Sorry
Yes, he has won…but. Our team has been getting worse and worse since 2004 so lets not be Bama and live in the past. His time is up. He is not making intelligent decisions, hiring or firing mid-season…I don’t think he should’ve let Al Borges go beofre the bowl game last year (I’m sure we still would’ve won) and his recruiting is down. We were 14-0 in 2004, SEC Champs to 9-4 last year and probably worse this year. He was a great coach but you guys need to embrace CHANGE in a positive way. CTT is out no matter what after this year and I’ll go to Vegas with that prediction!
Lowder in control is never a positive change....
it would be the return of all that has sickened AU like a cancer. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.
2003
i remember when AU stood up, students and all and gave him a shot and he brought it. i just get soooo upset everytime someone says War Eagle to me all sarcastically cause we are shit this year. and i know it doesn’t help to complain but man it feels good!
Tub has proven himself !
I agree with you Jay. I can honestly say I have been disappointed at times BUT this man has proven himself ! I’m old enough to remember ala. winning 19 out of 24 including 9 in a riow.. Anyone that can win 7 out of 9 against them DESERVES TOP RESPECT and not to be thrown under the bus when we have a tough season ! Those that are unhappy now need to try living under a time when that other team has their foot on your throat ! As War Eagle Atlanta wrore on Sunday …"Be careful what you wish for "
aubtigerman
Tub Has proven himself !
I meant to write that War Eagle Atlanta “wrote”…. in previous post. ALSO It’s time to circle the wagons…Not shoot our general !
aubtigerman
I'd like to cast my lot with...
…..Tuberville, too. I think he’s earned the chance to fix this mess. Bottom line: he decided to go with an offensive style that DEMANDS sharp, heady quarterback play. We failed to come up with such a guy, and now we’re struggling to score points. More on how we got to this point, and how Tuberville will likely fix it, in a post tomorrow!
Victim of His Own Success
Everybody talks about the 2004 season like it’s a noose that we’re eventually going to hang Tubs with. “Why have you failed to do this for us again?” Hey, he did everything that a coach can do that year, the results were a fluke. He did it once. Does that not mean he can’t do it again? I don’t understand that kind of reasoning. Doing it a second time should be a little easier than the first.
Tubs graduates the kids, plays with class, and occasionally stirs the pudding with the NCAA and the media, giving us some attention. Have you ever noticed how often we’re on TV? You think that’s a coincidence?
If they were to try and run him off this year, I seriously might quit being the fan that I am and resort to being a bandwagon rider…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 14, 2008 10:47 AM CDT reply actions
The conversation of firing Tubb's doesn't shouldn't even be a thought.....
and defientely doesn’t warrant a commment.
But WEA those are my comments exactly!!! I like to call it the Tiger Woods effect……victims of their own sucess!!! And I too would seriously question my support for the program and school should the administration and trustees act in such a manor!!!
Talk about “irreparable damage”, firing Tubbs would cause “irreparable damage” to the program and school!!!
There are two sides to every issue
Some on here feel that Auburn should be an 11-win team every year. That ain’t gonna happen, not here, not anywhere. Some on here feel that we should stand behind our coach no matter what, or that he is above our criticism. To me, the answer lies somewhere between (as it usually does!).
Let’s look at the facts. We haven’t had a sniff of NCAA trouble since Tubs was brought aboard. We’ve won or shared four SEC West titles in his ten years. We’ve won one SEC overall title in ten years. We have one undefeated season in the ten years. We’ve made bowl games in the last eight straight years. We’ve won 5 of our last 6 bowl games. We’ve graduated players at a great rate and kept most of our kids out of trouble.
However, if you want to look at trends, it’s kind of troubling. Since 2004 our SEC record has gotten worse and worse every year. The offense has degenerated something awful.
To me, he has accomplished alot in his years on the Plains. He is also a good man. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt for now, but I also say he needs to reverse some of these trends pretty quickly.
And if we fired him after this season, who would look at what he accomplished, and STILL got fired, and want to take this job? We’d have to throw Saban money at whomever we hired just to get them to come here.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 14, 2008 11:57 AM CDT reply actions
Tuberville vs. Saban???
I have heard a lot of talk about recruiting going Saban’s way, but my question is how many times does a team coached by Tuberville have to beat a team coached by Saban before the talk changes directions? With high school recruiting the way it is I would assume not many more times…if I am not mistaken Tommy is up by two wins. So let’s just chill and give him time. He made a mistake and now he has to rebuild, and my faith in him says we will not have to wait until next season……
WAR EAGLE!!!
Records my dear...records
In the FOUR wins CTT has had against Saban, he statistically had the lesser team…Saban was just out coached. So regardless of what the Alabama hopefuls believe I know we have the better HC!
WAR EAGLE!!!
Chiming in
I was at AU when Bowden was fired but blissfully unaware of the politics involved. I have watched Tubs his whole career at Auburn and I can’t say I like the way he does things sometimes. He havs frustrated me to no end but even I believe like another poster said : “I think he’s earned the chance to fix this mess.”
As fans we have a voice that may or may not sway the politics of the whole thing. But I believe that no matter how bad it gets this year, we should give him a chance to redeem himself.
Cheers...
To an excellent OP, that should be an article somewhere. We are becoming spoiled. Plain and simple. It reminds me of Bama. We are not them and (despite their beliefs to the contrary) do not want to be them. If Tommy was going to jump ship, he’s definately had his chances. I’m a fan of his, and will remain loyal as long as he’s here.
It’s time to circle the wagons…Not shoot our general !
Great quote.
by SandMountainTiger on Oct 14, 2008 3:08 PM CDT reply actions
The blog site allows you to create your own...
…and it automatically tracks everything for you.
We should do a poll to vote what our next poll should be…
Nah. Sounds too much like democracy…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 14, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Contact your Auburn Rep
I received an email from a buddy of mine who is a member of The Eye of The Tiger Club urging people to email Gouge, Jacobs, and the trustees. I sent them all an email saying I support both Tubs and this team as both a graduate and fan. I received emails back from one trustee, Jacobs, and Gouge (who responded literally like a minute after I sent it. ) thanking me for my support and thanking me for sharing my opinion. I urge you all to do the same.
WAR EAGLE!
aued63
Tubs even admitted he made a mistake, That takes character, and thats the kind of character, we need at Auburn teaching these young men about football and life!!!!!! Give him a chance to correct the problem and I have faith he will. WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!
There are rumors flying that the split has already been planned to take place after the season and a buyout is being negotiated amicably.
Oh yeah? Where did you hear that?
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 14, 2008 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions
this is crazy
Fire Tommy Tuberville ? Have you lost your freaking mind ??
Forget about the fact that the man learned his job under a coach that won numerious national titles and numerious super bowls , Jimmy Johnson ! Or the fact that the guy has morals , something that is hard to find in todays society . Name a coach in the southeastern conference that has a better won lose record in past 5 years ? Name a school in the conference that doesn’t fear playing Auburn …..NOW !!!! Name the last coach that beat Alabama 6 years in a row ? That in it’s self is enough to keep any coach at Aubun .
Are Auburn people becoming as shallow minded as Alabama fans ? Has Tuberville spoiled them so much , that they become arragent ? It certainlly sounds like it !
Last coach to beat Alabama 6 years in a row was Phil Fulmer
He actually did it 7 years in a row (1995-2001)
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 15, 2008 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Are yall serious?
Some of yall are acting like his success over the bammers were done without consequence. If Alabama didn’t go through a coach every two years and scholarship penalties, do yall really think he’d have six wins over them right now? Saban has taken over that program and as long as he’s there and Tuberville is here, we can count on looking like the Mike Shula era at bammer.
Do yall remember what Tuberville done at ole piss? HE NEVER HAD A WINNING RECORD IN THE SEC!!! He comes to Auburn and controls the state while Alabama self-destructed, and now that they’re back on top, we’re playing like straight crap! We need someone who is a PROVEN WINNER like Butch Davis. You can bet your asses he’ll come in right away and snatch the success away from Saban like he’s a little kid.
I’m telling yall, we will go NOWHERE with Tuberville but down. He’s a great guy with great class, but that was the case with Mike Shula too and he still had to be shown the door. His time has passed him up and with Saban controlling this state, Rich controlling Georgia, Nutt controlling ole piss, and Meyer controlling Florida, he ain’t going no where with recruiting and that’s gonna show up on the field. If we think we’re bad now, just wait till next year and the next and the next as long as Tuberville is here.
You just wrote everything Bama fans wanted you to write
Do you believe them?
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 15, 2008 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
That was...
…the former Iraqi Information Minister. He’s taken up college football blogging now…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 15, 2008 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
TT
We as Auburn fans are always talking about “family”, as an old Tiger family is very important to me and I really do Believe in Auburn and love it. Coach TT is our coach and has been one of the best. He deserves and should get our backing win or lose. We are 4-3 with 5 more games. We can finish 9-3. We have to stay behind this team and show them we believe even when they stumble. The fans need to quit whinning and booing and give some possitive feedback. Come on WE ARE AUBURN NOT EVERYBODY ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
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