OLD THREAD - WJOX reporting that Tubby gone (Tuberville is OUT per B'ham News!)

[graydogg85]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I think Jay Jacobs and the AU administration are testing the waters for well-qualified, available coaches who are interested in the job. If one bites, I'd look for Tuberville to be sent packing. If not, I think he gets another season. That's the only reason I can think of for these meetings to drag on the way they have. I think they probably did the same thing last season. IMO, Tuberville has wanted out of AU for a number of years (probably since the Jetgate incident), but the right job didn't come along and he has pretty well held the cards down there until this season. CTT is an average coach who has made a living with some pretty good assistant coaching hires (Toney Franklin nonwithstanding) and Alabama's struggles for much of this decade. I think the AU administration has known this for a number of years, but again, Tuberville has held the cards.

CTT headed to Mississippi State is very intriguing, and I could actually see that happening. Even Tuberville would be a major upgrade over Sly Croom.

 

[MegaVars]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

As others have said, Leach is looking at Washington... or for a raise.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3741224

ESPN news keeps scrolling the Washington story on their ticker. So, I see Leach in Seattle or staying in Lubbock. Probably using a little leverage for a good raise.

 

[Titans&Tide]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

Here's the thing: if Leach goes to UW, Tubs may be an interesting fit at Texas Tech. He's a defensive guy, so that would give him a leg up out there, and if he brought in the right offensive minds, he may surprise us all.

Granted, if he stays we will kick his @$$ for the next several years, but just sayin'. Tubs to Tech could actually work.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

This stuff is just extremely odd, even by Auburn standards. The meetings are now continuing after a break for lunch, and now no one knows what is coming next.

In all fairness to the Auburn fans, though, they do seem to be handling it pretty well. Although they are extremely upset with how this is being handled by the administration -- and frankly, they have every right to be -- I think most of them realize that a future with Tuberville is not a promising one. For the most part, they are seemingly settled on thinking of possible replacements.

One way or the other, it seems to me that on the Auburn side, there is a consensus forming that Tuberville will not return for 2009, and that we may hear a definite word today.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

As for possible replacements currently being mentioned, I'll offer a few personal thoughts:

Mike Leach is not a legitimate candidate, in my eyes. He's a fine coach, but I do believe he will probably remain in Lubbock for the time being, and even so I cannot see him going to Auburn. Given how the Franklin offense imploded, I just cannot see the Auburn administration turning to a coach like Leach. Regardless of what they do, I imagine that they will be moving back towards a more traditional offense.

Will Muschamp will not leave the Texas job for Auburn. He's a good defensive coordinator, but there's no way he effectively turns down the Texas job for Auburn. Moreover, given his youth and inexperience, I'm not even sure that Muschamp would be a good hire for Auburn at this stage. He would be a good recruiter, but as far as a coach goes, that would be a scary hire.

Paul Johnson has been mentioned as a possibility, but personally I think it's a pipe dream.

Butch Davis would be a fabulous hire, but I just don't see it happening. His future looks very bright at North Carolina, and if he were not willing to budge for the Tennessee or Arkansas jobs, it is very hard to see him doing the same thing for the Auburn job.

Gary Patterson would be a pretty good hire. I don't think he would be much of a recruiter, but he is a sound football coach that will make the most of what he has. The problem will be getting him away from TCU; he's had several bigger offers the past few years and he has turned them all down. Just a year or two ago, Minnesota offered him two million, and he never really liked twice at them. He'd be a pretty good hire if they could get him, and I could at least see that being a legitimate possibility.

Either way, one way or the other, I don't see Auburn getting any slam dunk hire like Saban, or even anything remotely near it. They'll probably get a decent coach if Tubby doesn't return, but it won't be the type of hire that will send shivers up the spine of the major programs of the SEC, Alabama included.

I think one of the guys at RollBamaRoll nailed it earlier today in a bigger piece they had posted:

Finally, in the aftermath of the blowout, there has been a lot of talk about Tuberville potentially not returning. Call me a homer if you wish, but I don't think it really matters one way or the other. It's a controversial subject, but I will speak frankly on the matter with no regrets or apologies: Tommy Tuberville is simply no match for Nick Saban, and it is extremely unlikely -- read next to impossible -- that Auburn will be able to find a replacement for Tuberville that is on Saban's level. Hell, truth of the matter is that even we probably could not get a comparable replacement for Saban if we had to, so you can rest assured that Auburn won't.


At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter whether or not Tuberville stays or go. Saban is clearly a better coach and a better recruiter than Tuberville -- the only thing perhaps more impressive than Saban's dominance of Tuberville on the field is his dominance of Tuberville on the recruiting trails -- and frankly Saban is going to be a better coach and a better recruiter than any replacement that Auburn could possibly find. In reality, any change made will likely have a negligible impact, and will likely be a change more for the sake of change than anything else.


Again, call me a homer if you wish, but the truth of the matter is that the time has come for us to recognize Nick Saban as what he really is: an elite coach and an elite recruiter. And as long as Saban continues to spend his Saturdays at 100 Bryant Drive, he's almost certain to make life miserable for those who bleed orange and blue, regardless of who is in charge down on the Plains.

 

[XXL TideFan]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I work with a guy that claims and seems to be very well informed on the inner workings. Even been to a couple of BBQ at Tubbies over the years.

He told me early yesterday that if the coach that the Barn was talking to would come, then Tubbs is out. He came and told me this morning around 8 or so that Tubbs is gone. He claims that Turner Gill is the man.

 

[derek4tide]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

We all know, deep down, they want him back. Guess who's coming to Lee County.........

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I work with a guy that claims and seems to be very well informed on the inner workings. Even been to a couple of BBQ at Tubbies over the years.

He told me early yesterday that if the coach that the Barn was talking to would come, then Tubbs is out. He came and told me this morning around 8 or so that Tubbs is gone. He claims that Turner Gill is the man.

Turner Gill definitely deserves a shot at a BCS conference school. The man is winning at Buffalo.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

He claims that Turner Gill is the man.

Gill has been mentioned a few times, so maybe there is some truth there. I have no doubt that he would leave Buffalo to go to Auburn.

On the other hand, though, he really hasn't done much. Buffalo has improved under his watch, to be sure, but he's only 7-5 this season, and Nebraska passed him over last year. He wouldn't be a bad hire -- and I imagine he would recruit pretty dang well -- but I don't see him being good enough to justify giving Tubby the axe, unless the AU administration is just looking for any way out. I know he is at Buffalo, but again, going 7-5 in the MAC is never going to impress me.

At the very least, Auburn would receive boatloads of positive publicity for hiring an African-American coach, that's for sure.

 

[lafella]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

Man that's just crazy , in these days and times it just doesn't compute to fire a winning coach buy him out for 6 million in one year and bring on another coach and staff.

anyhow I also hope he sticks around the SEC.

man is this place getting crowded or what.

 

[GreatDanish]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

On the other hand, though, he really hasn't done much. Buffalo has improved under his watch, to be sure, but he's only 7-5 this season, and Nebraska passed him over last year. He wouldn't be a bad hire -- and I imagine he would recruit pretty dang well -- but I don't see him being good enough to justify giving Tubby the axe, unless the AU administration is just looking for any way out. I know he is at Buffalo, but again, going 7-5 in the MAC is never going to impress me.

I'm a Turner Gill fan.

Buffalo Pre-Gill
2002: 1-11
2003: 1-11
2004: 2-9
2005: 1-10

The Gill Era
2006: 2-10
2007: 5-7
2008: 7-5 (+Bowl game)

My personal opinion is that he has done an incredible job at what was the absolute worst program in NCAA D-I A when he was hired.

 

[BAMAFAN IN NY]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I'm a Turner Gill fan.

Buffalo Pre-Gill
2002: 1-11
2003: 1-11
2004: 2-9
2005: 1-10

The Gill Era
2006: 2-10
2007: 5-7
2008: 7-5 (+Bowl game)

My personal opinion is that he has done an incredible job at what was the absolute worst program in NCAA D-I A when he was hired.

No doubt.. Ive been saying Turner Gill should be at Syracuse for 3 years. And to anyone who says going 7-5 in the MAC is mediocre, doesnt reaaly know how terrible it is to be at Buffalo. I went to that school. I cant imagine any football player CHOOSING to go there.

 

[paulym]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

He's a defensive guy, so that would give him a leg up out there, and if he brought in the right offensive minds, he may surprise us all.

What makes you think that TT knows any of the "right offensive minds".

 

[GreatDanish]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

No doubt.. Ive been saying Turner Gill should be at Syracuse for 3 years. And to anyone who says going 7-5 in the MAC is mediocre, doesnt reaaly know how terrible it is to be at Buffalo. I went to that school. I cant imagine any football player CHOOSING to go there.

I'm with you there. I tend to think football players don't really choose to go there. I would be willing to bet that a majority of their team had to "choose" between Buffalo, Colgate, U of Maine, and Univ. of New Hampshire.

 

[Crimson Cat]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

BET, you make some very good points. I agree that Leach is just playing the game to get Tech's attention. If he leaves, it would be for the Washington job, IMO.
Awbarn is in a tight situation. They have a class full of recruits ideally suited for a spread offense. Gonna be interesting to watch this.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I cant imagine any football player CHOOSING to go there.

Well, it used to be nicer, pre-global warming. Back when I lived in NY, all the upstate folk used to look forward to the lakes freezing over, so the lake-effect snows would end. Ancient history now...

 

[uaintn]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

It is well to remember that there are a number of non-football factors in the Tubbs drama. After Jetgate he managed to alienate a LOT of important people at the Barn. Lowder is no fan. Frankly, there are a lot of people who have been looking for an excuse. A losing season and a humiliating loss to Alabama on national TV are two pretty good ones. His buyout is a factor, especially in this economy, but ask any lawyer, clauses like that are often renegotiated when the time comes. If it is true (and I have no reason to believe Del Greco was lying about it) that all of the assistants have been sent packing that's interesting as well -- those guys are his friends and have been for a long long time.

 

[bamanut_aj]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

No doubt.. Ive been saying Turner Gill should be at Syracuse for 3 years. And to anyone who says going 7-5 in the MAC is mediocre, doesnt reaaly know how terrible it is to be at Buffalo. I went to that school. I cant imagine any football player CHOOSING to go there.

no doubt Gill has done well, but buffalo to awbarn is a huge jump. I'd think he should try his hand at a middle-of-the-road school first.

 

[formersoldier71]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

I'd think he should try his hand at a middle-of-the-road school first.

Then the barn should fit the bill.

 

[silentsam74]

Re: WJOX reporting that Tubby gone

Tommy Tuberville is out as Auburn football coach

Tommy Tuberville is out as Auburn's football coach, The Birmingham News has learned.

An official announcement could come today.

Tommy Tuberville was 85-40 in 10 years at Auburn, and is 110-60 in 14 years as a college head coach. His final season at Auburn ended with a 36-0 loss to Alabama last Saturday to finish off a disappointing 5-7 record.