Tony Franklin Fired
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 8, 2008 3:31 PM CDT
51 comments
Breaking news out of the Plains, where it is being reported that Tony Franklin has been fired as Auburn's offensive coordinator. Aside from a dozen emails in my inbox and reports of it being announced on Finebaum's show, the first thing I found was from the Opelika-Auburn News.
I'm sure the details will surface here soon and we'll bring you more as we get it in. As of right now, the sources are un-named, so we should wait until we get official confirmation of this. Nothing yet has been posted on ESPN, SI, or AL.com.
Tuberville just had his press conference yesterday, and although I got to see it from 15 feet away on my bar stool without the benefit of sound, nothing out of the ordinary appeared to be the case.
UPDATE: Looks like reports are confirmed now, including a quote from Tuberville himself. Regardless of what you felt about Franklin, this is a sad day for our program and let's hope that the team can rebound from this incident very quickly.
UPDATE (4:50 p.m. CT): Here's part of the statement released by Tommy Tuberville this afternoon...
"After evaluating where we are at this point of the season offensively, I felt it was in the best interest of the Auburn football program to make this change," Tuberville said in a statement released by the school. "I'm not satisfied with where we are and I am personally going to take a larger role with the offense the remainder of the season. We are going to work harder than ever to make sure we consistently improve as we move forward."
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Whose the Replacement
alright Lets start scoring some Points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.....?
by carlege on Oct 8, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i guess it was more than just INTERNET TALK
i honestly didn’t actually think this would happen this early. i just got one thing to say, WISHBONE!!!!
by suicidewatch on Oct 8, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suggest.....
He isn’t entirely a spread guy but Lane Kiffin is available!!! I wouldn’t mind seeing him be our OC!!!
by WDE on Oct 8, 2008 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kiffin would be huge...
But he’d be a short term solution. He’ll likely be a head coach in 2009 at the college level.
by LSU Jonno on Oct 8, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn't Al Borges still available
Kiffin is gonna be the next Syracuse head coach. trying to get a guy like him to save the second half of the season wouldn’t make a lot of sense when he’d be gone by the end of the year.
by suicidewatch on Oct 8, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Al Borges is still available, still lives in Auburn (I believe)
And is still on the payroll
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We could hire him through a Temp agency perhaps...
Temp—to—perm position? ;-)
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 8, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Gold Mine's report.....
http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/10/franklin_out_as_auburns_offens.html
Tubby is quoted!!!
by WDE on Oct 8, 2008 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Exciting
Now that the questions regarding him are over with, it is kind of exciting
by AU phil on Oct 8, 2008 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And the Tony Franklin era comes to an end...
Wow! That’s all I can say. However, I remarked a few days ago that I thought his days were numbered. His inability to coach the players and offensive assistants along with his inability to make adjustments in big games was his ultimate downfall.
by crashmattb on Oct 8, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
An entirely new recruiting season will have to start now.
by gahnki on Oct 8, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The recruiting stuff will be interesting...
I mean would Auburn even want some of those guys for a different system?
by LSU Jonno on Oct 8, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on what they determine their future to be.
If they are going back to power running then half of their recruits won’t even fit the system. Most of the recruits signed up for a spread offense and they won’t want to go back to power running themselves.
If they want a different version of the spread (bad idea IMO) then they need to find a coordinator and allow him to bring in his people.
by gahnki on Oct 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank God.......
My Prayers have been answered…………………………….
by chazyd on Oct 8, 2008 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
RECRUITS
While it’s true we will lose recruits over this, I think this was the better decision for the program. Franklin was ruining our offense; Borges did a better job last season. Considering our main losses on offense were Cox and Stewart, we shouldn’t have this much of a drop-off. Anyway, WAR EAGLE!!!
by AUshorecm on Oct 8, 2008 4:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Franklin hasn’t been allowed to run his offense. His offense was the one that put up 30 points against FAU yesterday while playing with the backup in the second half.
by gahnki on Oct 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
30 against FAU?
WOW impressive
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
30 against FAU in the third quarter when their starting quarterback went out injured.
I mean, if you actually believe Tony Franklin was running his offense at Auburn then you can. It would just be wrong.
by gahnki on Oct 8, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh
I thought you meant 30 for the whole game. I didn’t watch it, nor do I care. 30 in one quarter is impressive. We have failed to score 30 in the whole game every time but one this year.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No…it was thirty in the whole game. I worded the previous sentences poorly.
The point, however, was that they had thirty at that point and were driving for more when their starter went down with an injury. If he doesn’t go down then they score 40-50. They stopped passing when the back up came in and just ran down the clock. I believe the split was fifteen rushes and three passes after he came in.
by gahnki on Oct 8, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Follow the money...
It comes down to this question:
Do you allow a $280K/year guy in Tony Franklin to potentially cost Auburn in recruiting and Millions of dollars in TV, apparel, tickets and post game bowl money?
There is huge money at stake, plain and simple (especially for CTT).
by hang'umhigh on Oct 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Auburn's record at the end of this year...
Let’s assume Auburn would have gone 3-3 the rest of the year at their current pace, finishing 7-5. Likely losses to UGA and Bama. Likely wins over Arky and UT Martin, and then split Ole Miss and WV.
Does Auburn improve their record, stay the same, or reduce their record because of this move?
I say stay the same. 7-5 finish.
by LSU Jonno on Oct 8, 2008 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well it depends on alot of things
For one, who replaces him? What style does he run? Etc.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is the $64,000 dollar question....
It depends on who replaces him in the short term. If its Nall then you are most likely correct. If its Ensminger we stand a better chance. I would also look for a replacement to be named before the season is over to help shore up recruiting. I still will be surprised if the next guy is not a spread guy. Lane Kiffen would be a great addition (he could come in and at least play a role this season) even if it is only for a year or two. If we wait til after the season for the hire Shawn Watson, Greg Gregory, Rod Smith, the list goes on.
I suspect that due to the strange timing of his release (wednesday: mid week of game prep for a conference match-up) that the firing was not over the performance to this point as much as it may have been Franklins reluctance to install the Ace formation and run it predominately.
by Todd92 on Oct 8, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is what I was thinking.....
Two type A – stubborn personalities. It has been well documented that the offense being ran was not Franklin’s. So it makes you wonder if the two got together recently (maybe even this morning) and Franklin said it is my way or the highway and Tubb’s said the highway!!!
by WDE on Oct 8, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly what I was thinking...
You can’t call it the Tony Franklin system if half of it ain’t…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 8, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Franklin would be fired this week, but I thought it would happen on Sunday or Monday. The Wednesday fire is very very odd.
There will be no new OC mid-season mostly because anyone you’d want is probably in the middle of a successful season right now. You’ll have some position coach take over likely.
I think they run a hybrid offense the rest of the year, and hire an OC who can run the spread next year.
by LSU Jonno on Oct 8, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree Jonno
I thought he would be gone Sunday or maybe Monday. When he wasn’t, I figured we had him for the long haul this season. I’m kinda surprised they didn’t wait until after this weekend’s game, since we have a bye week the next week.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
good point about bye week
which makes me think this came from above Tubby’s head.
Sounds like someone told Tubby he better show x amount of progression or x amount of wins and Tubby didn’t think he could make it with Franklin on his staff this year.
by LSU Jonno on Oct 8, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
or this essentially voided this season....
and thus gets him off the possible hot seat….since you never know with the trustees.
by WDE on Oct 8, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No I disagree.....
If it came from above it would have happened sunday. I think this was all Tuberville. I think there had to be a last straw scenario today. Something like Tubs telling him that from here on out there would be 50% ace formation or Kodi was the starter from now on for example and Franklin refusing. Lowder is powerless in the football program as long as Tubby is there (thank god). If it were anything else or if Lowder had that over Tubervilles head he wouldn’t do it in the middle of the week as the coaches were game planning for saturday he would do it while emotions were still raw like sunday or monday and before the game planning would start (sunday morning). It will be interesting to see how it plays out from here. I still say a successful spread guy at a mid major or mediocre major program is the most likely, but I can also see Lane Kiffen taking the post for a stepping stone to a major power. Some one said Syracuse was Kiffens destination, thats almost as bad as going to the Raiders. I don’t see Kiffen taking a job set up for failure after his last job working for the Crypt Keeper.
by Todd92 on Oct 8, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think that being a coordinator for Tubbs
I don’t think that being a coordinator for Tubbs and not being able to bring in your own position coaches is an attractive job right now…
by LSU Jonno on Oct 9, 2008 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you think Crowton had full autonomy to bring in who he liked?
and he didn’t change anything but he O-line coach and the recievers coach. hmmmmmm. Must not have many friends in the coaching ranks. Also that Makes one wonder why Fisher wouldn’t have kept his staff together from LSU. Head coaches now and always have hired and fired, not the coordinators (wifh rare exception….ironically one of the few exceptions is Jimbo Fisher at FSU (not LSU) and that is with obvious reasoning considering why JB went to FSU (heir to the throne) he didn’t hire his staff at LSU and neither did Crowton (they may have consulted on who to bring in to replace the lost staff but thats the difference…LSU lost staff when Jimbo Fisher left). I realize that Tuberville has loyalty to his core staff and they to him, and that speaks as much for the positive (if not more) as it does to the negative, Also, I have said it before and I will say it again, if it were one or more of the staff that were the inflexible ones I am sure they would have hit the road a long time ago as Coach Tuberville is a no nonsense boss.
by Todd92 on Oct 9, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Thats crazy. I thought it was a bold move to go to the spread in the first place but he took BOLD to a new level with this firing half way through the season. Franklins 1st season.
Well i suppose this will really turn into a soap-opera now.
by Paratiger on Oct 8, 2008 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sad..
that our program is in such turmoil after the past few years of building. Really is a shame that the season has been turned upside down like this. Franklin wasn’t the right fit. I wish we had realized that before keeping him less than a year and burning a season of talent.
by WarEagle86 on Oct 8, 2008 4:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll be the new OC!
I just created an unbeatable offense on Madden 09’s “Create-a-Playbook” feature. Come to think about it, that’s about as impressive as saying you’ve created an unbeatable offense for high school and the Sun Belt.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 4:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so much for Ray Cotton and Philip Lutzenkirchen and the rest of our offensicve recruits.
by suicidewatch on Oct 8, 2008 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What was the best part of being at Auburn?
no comment. wow. that says something. It got nasty in there today or he always hated it here.
by Mattco on Oct 8, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i mean Franklin is a grown ass man and i’m sure he’ll find a job in the pass happy big 12 or back in the Sun Belt…i really just feel bad for Chris Todd. granted i have cursed his name all season and written lots of mean things about him on my blog, but this is not what that kid signed up for. he should be playing at Troy and playing in the offense that he knows. as much as Kodi has played like crap, i have little to no doubt that CTT is gonna make him the starter from here on out. Todd will probably end up having to transer to a Division II school.
by suicidewatch on Oct 8, 2008 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
there was a heated discussion !
fox 6 is reporting that there was a staff meeting, tubbs was not planning on firing franklin today but there was an argument , and apparently tubs got angry and fired franklin!
by cmyster94 on Oct 8, 2008 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
tubs assistants
I think Nall, Ensingmer, et al, totally torpedoed Franklin. These guys have failed miserably to install the spread…Tubs loyalty to them will lead to his denise.
Franklin had no chance from day 1 because he could not bring in his staff.
He was a hero at Troy…a bust at AU; the difference was he had a stale bunch of has been offensive assistants protected by Tubs.
This is a disaster!!
by bamasux on Oct 8, 2008 7:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You mean....
Larry Blakeneys staff. and no I think that Franklin is as much to blame as anyone had he not been so stubborn. Not that I don’t think there was some backbiting and finger pointing going on. I don’t think that some of the coaches were doing the best job at coaching the spread but that is hindsight. I don’t think there was any sabotage or anything and I don’t think that Tubbs is so loyal to those guys that if they were truly the problem they wouldn’t be gone. Remember Mazzone and John Lovett were both longtime Tuberville coaches and how fast they hit the road after poor performance. No I don’t think Tubervilles loyalty is going to be his “denise” or his demise. :-)
by Todd92 on Oct 8, 2008 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HOORAY
Now that we have removed the barb wire dildo out of our hind ends we can start scoring some points. Thanks for fubaring our season Franklin. Adios spread welcome back running game. ITS GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER!!!
by Jaybird5129 on Oct 8, 2008 9:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a visual I didn't need
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Oct 8, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The sign of the times, passing the buck. Franklin is a patsy for the brass.
This is sad day for the WarEagles fateful, to have this kind of disarray in October. As a member of GEAUX Nation I’m glad the boss waited till after the LSU game to cut da guy loose. That being said AUBURN needs the OC that coached them to 13-0, what was that guys name? The same year Auburn got cheated out of their National Championship.
Let me get back to my point. The head coach should have known better. All this BS was orchestrated from the top on down. Franklin is a patsy for brass.
GEAUX TIGERS !
by CDJ on Oct 9, 2008 2:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
nice to let the guy have a full season to implement his scheme. oh wait
Adopted Giant: Aaron King
Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat
by baetown415 on Oct 9, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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