has built a formidable small school program and is obviously a very good football coach. I don’t think that Blakeney would ever put himself in the position to be Dye’s or Lowders scapegoat ever again. I also don’t think that AU should bring anyone back into the fold that has any smudge or smear on their resume…..and yes that comment is pointed at Rodney Garner as much as Larry Blakeney. I believe that Larry Blakeney took the bullet for Lowder and Dye, but that doesn’t absolve him in the matter it just means that he took all of the blame instead of only part. Blakeney landed on his feet fast enough after the whole debaucle it makes one wonder how it happened. I root for Troy and root for Blakeney at Troy but I don’t want anyone who I know was part of the reason AU has been on probation back at AU…..its bad enough that Dye has the cush hush job and Lowder is still in power. I am very fearful of the past being repeated…..and if you don’t think that the Red Elephant club would send the NCAA the goods on AU if they ever got the chance again……..they bitch and moan about fat Phil at UT doing it to them, damned hypocrites.

and if you don’t think that the Red Elephant club would send the NCAA the goods on AU if they ever got the chance again……..they bitch and moan about fat Phil at UT doing it to them, damned hypocrites.

What would be wrong with that? Hell I’d turn Vanderbilt in if I was a coach in the SEC and I found out they were cheating.

Jonno never figured you for naive……and if you will acquaint yourself with the Ramsey affair it was never pay for play, it was all taped telephone conversations of him (Ramsey) begging Blakeney for money to help him pay his bills, buy groceries, buy diapers for his baby, etc. Please coach I need money to pay my rent…please coach my baby is hungry, please coach……with Blakeney the whole time telling him Eric this has to be the last time. It was wrong and AU paid for it but Ramseys testimony was purchased by Bama boosters all while Logan Young and other boosters were buying players for Bama. It had nothing to do with Bama’s integrity and everything to do with them siezing the opportunity to damage AU’s program. With LSU lacking the bitter rivalry it might not be possible for you to fathom but it is the gospel.

I can’t understand not keeping Gran. That just doesn’t sit well with me. I’m trying to get behind Chizik, but Eddie was one of the best position coaches in the business. We truly lost a gem with him. I can only guess Chizik simply wants to start completely over and have a new clean slate. Actually, as someone who’s taken leadership jobs in the past, I understand where he’s coming from. He needs his guys in there, but at the same time the players of Tubby could use some familiar faces in the coaching staff to help make the transition process go a little easier. Especially, after losing such a great individual as what we lost after the GA game we need a few same faces I would think. Still, I get his line of reasoning.

I’m beginning to think Chizik might not be such a bad hire afterall.

…..The NCAA nearly lowered the boom on Blakeney, on the Ramsey business. He got probation by agreeing never to coach at Auburn, if I’m remembering correctly. Steve Dennis got sanctioned, as well. Don’t know if Pat Dye did or not. There was that Colonial unsecured loan that Ramsey got, right after the taped conversation with Dye (who was on the Colonial Board at the time.). Dye, on the tape, basically non-sequitored, and frankly, sounded like he wasn’t paying attention.