Friday Ramblings-Bittersweet
by KoolBell777 on Jan 6, 2012 2:00 AM CST
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PrintWow, what a week! Auburn's football team was trashed by the so called experts, only to blow Virginia away in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Kenny Gabriel accomplished a first in AU Basketball history, coordinators on both sides of the ball are being sought, and it's only three weeks until National Signing Day. Let's do this...
National Signing Day (NSD)...
This is where we remind each of you, that we will have our annual NSD post up and running all day on February 1st, 2012. It will be my third consecutive year to bring the happenings to our loyal readers, and I am getting geared up in advance. I have extra coffee, and filters.
There are several spots to fill yet on Auburn's wish list of prospective student athletes. With 16 verbals in hand, only nine more may be signed. Who will they be? When will we know? For answers to those questions and more, tune in to Track Em Tigers on the 1st of February.
Since we are talking recruiting, 4 star defensive back Deon Bush, among many others, is set to announce his school choice during the Army All-American game this Saturday. It is my belief that he will choose Auburn, but with these kids, you never know. Keep your fingers crossed.
Odds on favorite...
Every year Caesar's Palace sets the odds on the next season's BCS champion. No less than seven SEC teams, led by LSU, are listed in the top twenty most likely to win it all next year. Auburn is 13th and a 28 to 1 pick. This season isn't completely over, and many are already looking to next season.
Beat Bama....
Last night the Auburn Women's Basketball team beat Alabama by the score of 65-55. That's the way to start 2012 off ladies. They have set the bar high for every other sports team at AU. Now it's time to get it done!
This from the AUfficial site...
"We battled so hard tonight, it was a hard-fought game," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "We just could not find a rhythm for a while offensively, but little Najat came in there and did some really nice things for us. Then Hasina Muhammad and Tyrese Tanner came in and had a really nice second half for us."
Tyrese Tanner scored a career high 20 points on the road, to lead her team to victory.
PGA Tour, Here come the Tigers...
With Auburn golfer Will Claxton earning his Tour Card, Auburn is now well represented at the PGA level. Claxton fired a 10 under during the Qualifying School tournament, and finished tied for 10th, earning him a full qualification card to any and all PGA events this year.
Claxton will join former Tigers Jason Dufner, Roland Thatcher and Gary Christian on the 2012 TOUR, the most Auburn has ever had in one PGA season.
Yes, I know that I am late reporting this, I have been busy trying to find sources for my next subject.
The Search for the Holy Grail Coordinators...
By now I'm sure you know as much, if not more than I do, about how far along we are at finding out who fill the vacant spots on AU's coaching staff. Now that no less than six NFL teams have fired their coaches, and staffs, I think we may have to wait a little longer, to see just who may be available.
We have covered this, and so has every other Auburn site, and nobody knows what Coach Chizik has up his sleeve. So there you have it, nothing. Just like last week.
I can assure you, that as soon as something breaks on this, we will bring it to you ASAP. Until then, patience is the word.
Comment of the week...
What has fast become one of my favorite items on the Friday Ramblings post is the picks for the comment of the week. I can honestly tell you, it has made me pay closer attention to your posts, and it's getting more difficult to choose some weeks. So, without further wait, this weeks winner is RN4AU, with her brilliant slant on the tremendous Bowl victory over Virginia.
I was so proud of this win!
I was proud that Trotter got to finally shine. Proud the offense finally looked a little more like Auburn and the D looked a little less freshmenish…Some of those names called I still had never heard of…It just amazes me we had the season we did considering the schedule, the experience, and all the injuries and kinks to the O and D all year. We still had the hardest schedule of anyone so you can dawg us all you want… I think it was a pretty good year considering. Wish Malzahn the best and can’t wait to see what high fly’n offensive genius we are getting to replace him. As for D… I just want to see the old Auburn D I am used to… you know the one that stops people cold…
We’ll get there and in the mean time WAR EAGLE!
Lots of things to like about this post, the making up of words included. Finishing with an all caps WAR EAGLE!, never hurts either.
Sadly, we say goodbye...
Auburn's Drew Cole, a former walk on defensive back and his girlfriend were involved in a single car accident that eventually resulted in the death of Elizabeth Lauren "Libbie" Ainsworth. I would like to share with you, what I wrote...
Saying farewell to Libbie
It's extremely difficult to say goodbye to a good friend. Even more so when you are young and aren't scarred by life's ongoing, yet grinding cycle.
At 53, I have experienced, so many times the wheel that must turn. My Dad in '93, my Mother in 2006. I have lost one Brother, and two Sisters, three very close friends, and many more acquaintances. You get a little scar on your heart for each one of those. They aren't seen, they are not badges of honor, but they are there.
To Libbie's friends, all I can hope for you is God's grace, and comfort. May he strengthen you for your journey. The next few days will be filled with sadness, but the joy your friend left you with, is how she wants you to remember her.
I never knew Libbie, as her friends called her. I can honestly say that I wouldn't have known her if I passed her on a street, that only the two of us were traversing. I would have, however, responded to her "War Eagle" with one of my own. You see, I hardly ever leave home without something that shows my fondness for Auburn.
Auburn, it's the tie that binds. It's what makes us all Family. It is with that thought that I post this today. A family member has passed on to Glory, to be with her true Father in Heaven.
God speed, Libbie.
WAR EAGLE to you all, and GOD Bless.
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Dyer officially granted release
Dyer is gone folks. I’m more than curious what led to this beyond speculation about a failed drug test. There has got to be more to it than just that or Chiz is way more hardline than I previously thought. I had hoped Dyer would climb out of the doghouse and return to us a better man. The moment in the UGA game last year when he broke Bo’s frosh rushing record was truly special and now is forever tainted in my eyes because the guy that did it won’t finish his career as a tiger.
We still have a great stable of backs for next year in OMAC (assuming he doesn’t go pro) and Mason with the addition of Blakely and Grant who still need to show their stuff in the SEC, but should be capable at a minimum. Just need a consistent QB, another receiver to consistently catch, and a lil upgrade on the o-line. Not too much to ask and maybe our new O-coordinator will throw the ball to lutz more than 3 times a game and between the 20’s.
War Eagle!
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
As to Dyer...
I have received numerous emails about him. One mentioned that he had a family member back home, that Dyer felt he needed to be close to this person. When I asked for a source name or link, I never got one. Fact is, we may never know the truth as to why Mike Dyer is no longer at Auburn.
We just have to move on, because there is too much to do, trying to get ready for next year.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Equally curious....
I saw Phillip Marshall’s post last night.
One would think for someone like this who was a key piece of our offense that Coach Chizik would offer some insight (even if it is not completely revealing) as to what transpired. Ultimatelly, I support Coach Chizik’s position… if it was for the betterment of the team and program.
But here is the thing I don’t like: we probably aren’t going to be told anything. When you think about it… what can he tell us?? Ultimately, Chizik isn’t a kiss and tell coach. And that is a double edged sword that cuts both ways.
But it would go a long way if an explanation was given so new recruits as well as our adversaries understood why this all SEC running back decided ot leave our program after so much success.
This is the kind of stuff that you have to shake your head about.
What a waste.
Because of this move, I see the RB position to be wide open. OMAC isn’t the premier back that Dyer was… he can’t run very well up the middle. And let’s not be too quick to point to the bowl game to argue that he can. He is an outside speedster. And he is very good no doubt. But he isn’t a back that you can ride on to win a game.
Tre Mason
Mike Blakely
Cory Grant
And incoming freshman (if we are fortunate to sign him) Javon Robinson
I will still say it… TJ Yeldon… if you want to have a chance to start… the field at AU is wide open. Think before you enrol at bama.
WDE
If I’m the student athlete involved in this situation, then I would appreciate the tight lips…..as a fan, we always want to know more. My best guess is that whatever Dyer did, it tied Chizik’s hands as far as options. This stinks for Dyer too….as he will have to sit out next year without a waiver from the NCAA. I dunno, no one wins in this situation….
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed
But I also know that if the coach wants it known… it finds its way out in public for this very reason of setting the record straight.
Chizik would sure look hypocritical considering the stance he took with Cam on info that had no business being publicized.
I understand that… but I still don’t like it for the reasons of misinformation I stated before.
And I am not so sure that Deyer will have to sit out next year if he goes to a lower division school.
I’d made that statement before and didn’t see a response. Perhaps someone who is schooled in such things will say?
WDE
I was thinking that Arky St was in the same division…I might be wrong….it’s been known to happen….(rarely, though, rarely…and NO, you’re not allowed to confirm with Mr. ToTM)
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
Unless he gets a waiver from the NCAA, he will have to sit out a year to transfer to any FBS (D1A) school, including Ark State. He can play immediately if he transfers to an FCS (D1AA) school.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 6, 2012 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
Ahhh....
There you go. And if I read Mr Marshals comments right… ARK STATE was only one of a few different schools AU granted him a release for.
WDE
That’s what I heard, although I haven’t read that article.
Here’s a scenario that very well could happen: what if Gus has a great year at Ark State next season and is hired away to another program after just 1 season? What does Dyer do then?
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 6, 2012 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
Whatever Dyer did must have been really bad! This hurts him way more than it hurts AU……..I hope he straightens it out..he’s got a lot of potential!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 1:20 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed. I’ll always be grateful for his role in the NC. I wish him the best.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 6, 2012 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
This has been published this morning by Coaching Search Ticker..
Auburn: Gene Chizik and company have kept things very tight-lipped. I try to stay away from speculation, but my inbox has an enormously high volume of requests for an Auburn update. My guess is that Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is involved because of his relationship with Auburn offensive line coach Jeff Grimes. Both sides could be making sure Koetter doesn’t land another coordinator position at the NFL level. You can bet Chizik has a backup plan.
I’ll keep digging!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Good find!! I’ll keep checkin’ in….
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 9:11 AM CST up reply actions
He was 26-10 as Boise State head coach with two conference titles...
Wikipedia has this…
In 2007, Koetter accepted the position of offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. In his first season with the Jaguars, the offense improved from tenth in the league (338.9 yards per game) to seventh (357.4 yards per game). Koetter has been instrumental in the development of Jaguars offensive players Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker, and Marcedes Lewis. Koetter was named, in addition to his duties as offensive coordinator, as the team’s quarterbacks coach on November 30, 2011, with the firing of wide receivers coach Johnny Cox and the switch of quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard to wide receivers coach.
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Understand that I am not endorsing these guys...
Just letting you guys know what is being published out there in the webosphere…
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Okay, so I've promised to be patient about the coordinator thing,
but I’m starting to get a little antsy….Silly me, but I just think it might be easier to recruit with actual coordinators in place…..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 9:10 AM CST reply actions
Auburn is still looking at Brent Pease..
The current Boise State OC. So is Bama and Florida. Who wants him the most?
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Mark Stoops was finally offered a raise at FSU, and now rumor has it that Chizik is talking with Greg Hudson...
Hudson played LB at Notre Dame, and was DC at East Carolina 2005 thru ’09 and is now the LB and Asst Head Coach at FSU…
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Hudson's Defenses...
Never allowed a rush average near 4.0 yds per carry, and from 2007 at 30 pts per game they improved to allowing only 21 pts per game
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Bright and shiny! Me Likey!!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
I have heard in several circles... maybe even here...
Hudson is the guy we want from FSU. Not Stoops.
Better longevity
WDE
I had not heard that until today...
I actually had to look him up and wiki his name to get some info. If that is who Chizik wants, I wouldn’t be upset at all…
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Hudson would be better than Stoops...
Trust me guys, we hire Hudson we should throw a party. If we get Koetter too?!?!? We will be FINE!
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
OMG, Sparks is showing signs of optimism and wde1988 and I agree (a little bit) for the first time…..
Hope y’all have your supplies for a zombie apocalypse…..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
TOTM...
Honestly, you guys are beginning to sting a little bit with the ultimate pessimist title you give me. I’m constantly positive about basketball, and I’ve been very positive in the past it’s just that nobody pays any attention unless I’m being ultra negative. These would be two home run hires and that’s what I’ve been wanting for Auburn’s coordinators. I realize Hudson isn’t as well known, but he’s a better defensive mind that about 95% of college defensive coordinators out there. I say we need to get him!
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
I know. I know…but most of your comments lately (about football) have been the ‘sky is falling’ material…..glad to see the sky is lifting a bit :)
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 2:32 PM CST up reply actions
Well...
It’s the first bit of good news we’ve gotten in a while. I’ll be more than happy to promote positivity when we’re getting good news. You have to admit, we haven’t gotten a steady stream of good news lately.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
You are correct, sir. As a member of the lollipop guild, the silver linings have been really difficult to see.
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
Believe me...
I want good news coming to Auburn as much as anybody.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
This hot off of twitter...
So, take it for what it’s worth.
Offensive coordinator Brent Pease has decided to leave Boise State, destination TBA, likely Florida, a source tells me. Also has Bama offer..
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
If it’s between the two, I would rather he go to Florida…not because he would ‘scare’ me at Bama, they’re going to be good no matter what. I’m a little bored with the Georgia skating through the East bit…..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions
I'd rather he stay his @$$ in Boise...
If he chooses to come to the Big Leagues(SEC), then he should choose Auburn, not Southern Jersey Florida
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
I hear ya…but if he must chose between those two schools…..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
I am with you KB
Does the man want a challenge or not??? Then he needs to pick Auburn! No question about it. Think of the name he would make for himself…. and since we are talking dreams here… I just hope if he does well… he doesn’t decide to take a lesser job and a pay cut if he were to leave say in three to five years after a couple of National Championships.
LOL.
WDE
Wonder if the Bama offer means Auburn, Alabama
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
According to tweets this afternoon...
Pease is in Gainsville today, and has a scheduled meeting with Saban tomorrow.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Dam
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
Koetter
What’s the deal with him? Where is he from?
by Bren Dekura on Jan 6, 2012 2:53 PM CST via Android app reply actions
Nm
Wiki does wonders. Is he being fired from Jacksonville?
by Bren Dekura on Jan 6, 2012 2:55 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
No mention of being fired...
He can probably make more dinero in the SEC than at Jacksonville
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True
Not like Jacksonville is a huge market.
by Bren Dekura on Jan 6, 2012 3:25 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Also from twitter
1010 XL in Jacksonville is reporting that Chizik will meet with Kerwin Bell about the OC position at the coaches’ convention this weekend.
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Here is what Wiki has on Bell as a coach...
Bell’s coaching career started in 1990, a year in which he was sidelined from his playing career while recovering from a knee injury. Bell spent the 1990 football season as a graduate assistant coach under Steve Spurrier in Spurrier’s first season as head coach at the University of Florida. He resumed his playing career in 1991 and returned to coaching after retiring as an active player. Bell became the offensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts in 2001. Afterward, he accepted a job as the head football coach of Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Florida. After Trinity Catholic won the 2006 Florida 2B state high school football championship, Bell was hired as head coach of the Jacksonville University football program in 2007.8 In 2008, he was recognized as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after his Dolphins went 9–4 and won the league’s championship.
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THIS ISN'T SERIOUS?!?!?
Please not this guy! You wanna talk about underwhelming!!!! You don’t get any worse of an underwhelming hire than this! Bell is EXACTLY the kind of coach I didn’t want Auburn to hire! We can get better than this! NO NO NO NO NO!
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Thanks KB glad to know we agree one time ;-)
He has Tony Franklin written all over him.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
He's an old friend of Coach Chizik...
We saw what happens when you start hiring your buddy for positions with Tubberville. I hope Coach Chizik doesn’t go down this road. He’s put together some of the best coaches in the country. This would be the completely wrong direction.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Hey! Thanks for the Post a da Week... What? Freshmanish isnt a word??
If I’d know people were actually paying attention to what I say I mighta tried to make it a little more gramatically correct and all… well… nah… probly not… :-)
War Eagle! 2010 BCS National Champions
I have something else on Kerwin Bell..
From the Jacksonville University media guide..
Kerwin Bell was named head football coach on Jan. 2, 2007
- beginning a new era of JU football.
A star quarterback who rewrote the record book at Florida
from 1984 to 1987, Bell brought a high-octane offensive attack
to the Dolphins that resulted in JU’s first-ever PFL championship
in 2008.
In four seasons, Bell has transformed the JU football program
into one of the rising powers in the nation.
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Believe me...I recognize what he's done so far...
My issue with him is that it’s a whole different world in the SEC. He will be going up against NFL caliber defensive players consistently every Saturday. Malzahn had coached in the SEC. Look, I happen to think Bell will be very good ONE DAY…the problem is, not TODAY.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
In four years he has won his league title twice..
Again this year they played in the Championship game, only losing 23-14
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Jacksonville University..
An FCS Division 1 Pioneer Football League. Here is more from their athletic web site…
2010 – National Attention/PFL Title
After a horrible first quarter in the season opener at Old
Dominion, the Dolphins shook the country by rallying to take
a 35-25 win on the road beginning the best season thus far in
program history.
The Dolphins went on to rack up a 10-1 record, including
an 8-0 mark in the PFL to claim their second conference title in
three years. The only blemish was a loss at No. 1 Appalachian
State.
For the first time in program history, the Dolphins were
ranked in the top 25 – rising as high as 17th before finishing
the year ranked 21st. The high-flying exploits had Jacksonville
as one of the last two teams left out of the FCS Playoffs.
JU led the nation in total offense (486.3 per game) and in
points (42.2 per game).
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What I am saying is...
Kerwin Bell has done a very good job at JU. Whether or not that would translate to success in the SEC is Chizik’s call, not mine.
I will offer this, the more I find out about Bell, the more I like him. Is this the home-run we all were looking for? Probably not.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
I will go silent on this subject...
I hope this is not who Auburn actually hires, but if it is I certainly hope he proves me wrong. I just see Tony Franklin happening all over again with this guy. Yes, JU is doing very well. I will say that. He has done great things everywhere he’s been so far. I just don’t think he’s ready yet that’s all.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Don't do that...
We all want what is best for Auburn. Keep on speaking up, man.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Dirk Koetter...
He just seems like a better fit and he’s got that experience we want. He’s not a huge name or flashy hire either really. But, he’s got a few connections to Grimes already and he knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL. No, he didn’t have the greatest offense in the NFL this year, but I don’t think that was his fault at all. I think he’s a very good coach and Auburn would be in very good if not great hands with him at the helm.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Here is some more from Twitter...
I can’t make this much stuff up, so take it for what it’s worth…
AU_Dan Daniel Foshee
Here is some REPORTS coming out from some very very reliable sources: Petrino is looking at leaving Arkansas ASAP…#Auburn might be a year
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Hahaha
I wish, but Petrino would get a head coaching position somewhere considering he only lost to the 2 teams playing in the championship game.
On a separate note, what do you think about Vic Koenning as a candidate for defensive coordinator? I went to every Troy game when D-Ware and Osi were there, and I would love to see Eguae and Lemonier in his defense.
I don't follow
What does that mean? I mean I realize it’s probably a joke, but I don’t get that post. I guess I don’t know Twitter well enough.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Footballscoop.com is reporting this...
Tennessee: Sources within UT athletics confirm that Tennessee is “finalizing contract negotiations with Randy Shannon”. Plan is to announce on Monday. Sources close to Shannon tell us “security for Randy” is the primary item still being negotiated.
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What a second.... are you saying..
that UT is about to fire Coach Dooley and replace him with Ranndy Shannon?
Did I get that right?
WDE
Never mind...
I googled it. I see what your saying. He might be the Defensive coordinator. Interestingly enough I see where it appears that deal fell through. Amazing what being unemployed does for your availability.
WDE
AU SPorts is reporting that we might hear something on Coordinators this weekend from San Antonio. If not, it might be the following weekend when we have a big recruiting weekend @ AU
I am starting to see mirages in the desert…
LOL
WDE
If Chizik waits until next weekend...
The recruiting class for 2012 has been pretty much destroyed.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Sparked you are a brother but
Glad you are not the coach. You panic too much. And no I am not a sunshine pumper, just someone who understands sometimes patience is a virtue.
Veni vidi vici 22-19
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