Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports
Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: The Six on December 05, 2012, 08:03:41 AM
-
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2012/12/scarbinsky_is_gus_malzahn_stro.html (http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2012/12/scarbinsky_is_gus_malzahn_stro.html)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Nice guy. Man of faith. Ultra-successful coordinator. Outspoken wife.
On the surface, it would be easy to conclude that Auburn just made a coaching change without changing much of anything, that Gus Malzahn is Gene Chizik’s twin brother from another mother, his mirror image on the other side of the line.
Auburn believes that Chizik’s former offensive coordinator is so much more than that, and it better be right. Otherwise, this program won’t be able to climb out of the pit it’s in, not for long and certainly not for good.
Malzahn is known primarily for his innovative offensive mind, but people who really know him say there’s a lot more substance to him beneath the mad professor exterior.
They rave about his maniacal work ethic and his slavish attention to detail. They say he’s much tougher and far more demanding than his wire rims and visor would indicate. He’ll have to be tougher and more demanding than Chizik, but he’ll be challenged by this first impression:
Did Auburn hire him in large part because the decision-makers are comfortable with him - as was the case with Chizik in 2008 - because Malzahn will do little to shake up a status quo so desperately in need of change?
With Jay Jacobs remaining as athletics director, leading a second straight coaching search after the last one eventually blew up in everyone’s face, with Tim Jackson leaving his post as self-described football general manager but remaining in the athletics department, what really has changed?
The search committee was made up of good Auburn men in Bo Jackson, Pat Sullivan and Mac Crawford, but they’ll go their separate ways. Who remains? The usual suspects.
Malzahn will have to be the catalyst for change.
He’s a better football coach than Chizik - Malzahn won a Sun Belt title at Arkansas State in the one year he’s spent learning how to be a head coach - but can he be a better leader, a stronger disciplinarian, a tougher decision-maker?
His coddling of Mike Dyer, until he was forced to dismiss him in July as news of Dyer’s infamous traffic stop with a gun and marijuana in the car was about to go public, raises doubts.
One of the best things Malzahn has going for him from the start is that he won’t be labeled, as Chizik was, as Pat Dye’s guy. Because he wasn’t. Kirby Smart was.
Dye admitted Tuesday what insiders have told us all along, that Smart was his first choice for the job. No surprise there. Like Smart, Dye grew up playing for Georgia and coaching at Alabama on the defensive side of the ball. Like Dye, Smart is hard-nosed and strong-willed.
Those characteristics may have helped Smart with Dye, but they hurt him with the Auburn search committee. Smart asked for things during his interview that Auburn wasn’t willing to give him, according to people close to the process.
His demands included full disclosure of the state of the NCAA’s current look-see at the Auburn program, full control of hiring and firing staffers and the opportunity to coordinate the Alabama defense in the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame.
Smart’s demands are perfectly understandable. So is Auburn’s unwillingness to grant them, which is part of the reason Auburn didn’t offer Smart the job and turned toward Malzahn.
That raises a question. Why would Auburn interview Smart in the first place? Did they not see that stalemate coming?
There was another coach on the radar that sparked strong emotions from Auburn supporters, pro and con, and make no mistake. People close to him said that Bobby Petrino wanted the job in the worst way, and they shared some interesting information.
The search committee did talk to Petrino on the phone Monday, but it wasn’t an interview. They never talked football.
It wasn’t a courtesy call, either. There wasn’t much courtesy involved.
The questions and comments from the committee members all revolved around Petrino’s personal life and why Arkansas fired him in April, after it came to light that he’d had an inappropriate relationship with a woman he’d hired to a job in the football program.
Petrino offered that he and his wife would meet with the committee in person, at the Petrinos’ expense, but the committee members didn’t respond to his offer. Petrino came away from the conversation hurt and angry and wondering why the committee even bothered to talk to him.
It’s a good question, and as Auburn goes back to the future with Malzahn, there are plenty more about him and his ability to compete with Nick Saban, Les Miles, Kevin Sumlin and new Arkansas coach Bret Bielema in the SEC West.
Remember when Auburn did more than compete by winning the BCS national championship two years ago? Malzahn deservedly received much of the credit.
Since he worked at Auburn for the first three of Chizik’s four years, and the cracks in the program’s foundation began to show before he left for Arkansas State, does he also share some responsibility there?
There will be no more shared responsibility. The offensive guru will have to find a defensive coordinator to trust and lean on, and a staff that can recruit and coach with the very best, but where Auburn goes from here is on Malzahn.
And where Malzahn goes from here is on Jacobs. And on and on it goes.
The more things haven’t changed at Auburn, the more it falls on Malzahn to make them change. How strong he is there may make the difference between competing with Saban and Alabama for championships or rivaling Alabama, pre-Saban, in coaching changes.
-
Those characteristics may have helped Smart with Dye, but they hurt him with the Auburn search committee. Smart asked for things during his interview that Auburn wasn’t willing to give him, according to people close to the process.
His demands included full disclosure of the state of the NCAA’s current look-see at the Auburn program, full control of hiring and firing staffers and the opportunity to coordinate the Alabama defense in the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame.
:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
And basically trolling Petrino, when he was practically begging and obviously would have taken the job for way way way under his market value, probably cheaper than Gus...
Fuck me the Jays have just destroyed this athletic program...
-
This just depresses me.
Fuck, we are our own worst enemy.
-
From one of his tweets:
@KevinScarbinsky: Chizik buyout: $200k-plus a month. Gus salary: $2.3 mil, just under $200k a month. So AU paying Chizik more not to coach than Gus to coach.
-
From one of his tweets:
That doesn't bother me as much as the fact that we basically told Petrino to fuck off.
And not being upfront with Smart about the NCAA Investigation... Maybe there is something more there than just a slap on the hand.
-
His demands included full disclosure of the state of the NCAA’s current look-see at the Auburn program, full control of hiring and firing staffers and the opportunity to coordinate the Alabama defense in the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame.
So, it sounds like Smart was demanding full control of the football program before he would take the job. Where in the hell did he think he was interviewing?
-
His demands included full disclosure of the state of the NCAA’s current look-see at the Auburn program, full control of hiring and firing staffers and the opportunity to coordinate the Alabama defense in the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame.
So, it sounds like Smart was demanding full control of the football program before he would take the job. Where in the hell did he think he was interviewing?
If it's true that he said that, it answers every question I had about him being ready for this level of a job or not. He's ready and probably deserved it. Total control is EXACTLY what you demand. Our people don't get that. We're too bush offering benevolence calls to Bobby Petrino. :rolleyes:
-
That doesn't bother me as much as the fact that we basically told Petrino to fuck off.
And not being upfront with Smart about the NCAA Investigation... Maybe there is something more there than just a slap on the hand.
I can kind of see it from Auburn's side though. What if Smart was simply trolling and ended up not taking the job? Then you just aired all of your dirty little secrets to a coach at a rival in-state school. I don't understand the Petrino thing. AU basically called to taunt him. What was the point in that?
Also, I think that Scarbinsky's article supports the notion that AU (probably JJ specifically) wanted a yes-man. Just like they wanted when Chizik was hired. That didn't work out too well last time. They really needed to hand it over to somebody who would take full control and un-fuck the program.
-
I can kind of see it from Auburn's side though. What if Smart was simply trolling and ended up not taking the job? Then you just aired all of your dirty little secrets to a coach at a rival in-state school. I don't understand the Petrino thing. AU basically called to taunt him. What was the point in that?
Trolling is something one of the sidewalk fans would do, man. Smart's a professional. He was asking because he wanted to know and telling them it was gonna be his way. I see why that flew all over our PTB. They like their control.
The Petrino thing was low. I can't stand high-and-mighty attitudes. It's the most UN-Christian thing I see "Christians" do and really bugs me.
-
Trolling is something one of the sidewalk fans would do, man. Smart's a professional. He was asking because he wanted to know and telling them it was gonna be his way. I see why that flew all over our PTB. They like their control.
The Petrino thing was low. I can't stand high-and-mighty attitudes. It's the most UN-Christian thing I see "Christians" do and really bugs me.
I agree that Smart wouldn't troll them. A high profile Alabama coordinator doesn't interview for the HC position at Auburn for shits and giggles. He wanted the job. Just looking at it from the tinfoil wearing perspective.
The thing about the Petrino diss is, I don't even think that they did it because of a holier than thou thing, or being Christians. I think they did it out of pure spite, which speaks volumes of JJ's character imo.
Going back to the tinfoil perspective for a minute. If there really is something going on with the NCAA, Malzahn more than likely knows where the bodies are buried. He was there for 4 years. I doubt that he would walk right back into that, so the whole NCAA thing may just be message board fodder. Maybe that's exactly why they wanted him, though. But if it was just rumor, why wouldn't they just tell Smart that it was BS? Maybe Scarbinsky's information about the non-disclosure to Smart is inaccurate. There are alot of ways you could look at it I suppose. Really, I guess none of them make alot of sense.
-
If it's true that he said that, it answers every question I had about him being ready for this level of a job or not. He's ready and probably deserved it. Total control is EXACTLY what you demand. Our people don't get that. We're too bush offering benevolence calls to Bobby Petrino. :rolleyes:
Good point. I agree. In hindsight, I would have rather had smart. I see no issues with his demands.
-
This article is so dead on and makes me completely nauseous. Stupidest fucking AD in the history of fucking AD's. ARrrrrghhhhhhhh
-
I don't think the NCAA thing was the issue...and I hope that the "full control" thing wasn't a big issue. I would imagine that those two can probably be worked out and that an agreement can be made.
I would imagine that the deal breaker was being the HC at Auburn while trying to win Alabama another national title. That shit would sit well at all with people. It wouldn't sit well with me.
I think the other shit was thrown in to make Auburn look like a clusterfuck...
We don't need the help god damnit...
-
If it's true that he said that, it answers every question I had about him being ready for this level of a job or not. He's ready and probably deserved it. Total control is EXACTLY what you demand. Our people don't get that. We're too bush offering benevolence calls to Bobby Petrino. :rolleyes:
I think asking to coach bammer in the BCSNCG was a big mistake.
-
Just logging on. I haven't trolled around yet to see if there are quotes from Smart. Until I see them, my question is how does Skarbinski know what Smart's demands were in that much detail?
-
I think asking to coach bammer in the BCSNCG was a big mistake.
Yep.
Fuck. That.
-
I would imagine that the deal breaker was being the HC at Auburn while trying to win Alabama another national title. That shit would sit well at all with people. It wouldn't sit well with me.
I can see where you're coming from with that, and I get it. But at the same time, you want to be a professional, and you don't want to make it look like you're willing to fuck over who brought you to the dance for the prettier girl. If he got HC at AU and you guys made it to the NCG, would you be cool with him saying "Eh, fuck you guys, Georgia just offered me. Good luck in that game."? I doubt it. I understand that coordinators leaving are somewhat different than a HC leaving, but you get my drift.
At this point, Alabama winning this year's NC has absolutely no bearing on Auburn. The team's performance this year and the whole Chizik situation is way more damage to the program than Alabama winning another NC.
-
I don't think the NCAA thing was the issue...and I hope that the "full control" thing wasn't a big issue. I would imagine that those two can probably be worked out and that an agreement can be made.
I would imagine that the deal breaker was being the HC at Auburn while trying to win Alabama another national title. That shit would sit well at all with people. It wouldn't sit well with me.
I think the other shit was thrown in to make Auburn look like a clusterfuck...
We don't need the help god damnit...
I see I was late to the party again.
-
I can see where you're coming from with that, and I get it. But at the same time, you want to be a professional, and you don't want to make it look like you're willing to fuck over who brought you to the dance for the prettier girl. If he got HC at AU and you guys made it to the NCG, would you be cool with him saying "Eh, fuck you guys, Georgia just offered me. Good luck in that game."? I doubt it. I understand that coordinators leaving are somewhat different than a HC leaving, but you get my drift.
At this point, Alabama winning this year's NC has absolutely no bearing on Auburn. The team's performance this year and the whole Chizik situation is way more damage to the program than Alabama winning another NC.
I understand where you and him may be coming from, but at the same time, you can't be an Auburn man and an Alabama guy at the same time. Just can't happen. We go head to head in to much shit for there to be 30 something days of fence riding.
It would not have been a good deal for anyone.
So...timing may just not have been right and timing is everything. Just ask Alabama with the Saban hire...
-
I don't think the NCAA thing was the issue...and I hope that the "full control" thing wasn't a big issue. I would imagine that those two can probably be worked out and that an agreement can be made.
I would imagine that the deal breaker was being the HC at Auburn while trying to win Alabama another national title. That shit would sit well at all with people. It wouldn't sit well with me.
I think the other shit was thrown in to make Auburn look like a clusterfuck...
We don't need the help god damnit...
^^^This^^^ All of it!
-
I understand where you and him may be coming from, but at the same time, you can't be an Auburn man and an Alabama guy at the same time. Just can't happen. We go head to head in to much shit for there to be 30 something days of fence riding.
It would not have been a good deal for anyone.
So...timing may just not have been right and timing is everything. Just ask Alabama with the Saban hire...
Maybe. And in that case, like Scarbinsky, I don't see what the point in interviewing Smart was. If rivalry is an issue, why even bother? I think that most everybody here could have guessed that he would want to coach in the NCG. Who would really want to establish a precedent on their resume of fucking over their previous employer? It certainly didn't do Petrino any favors in the eyes of those who did not want him at AU.
-
I understand where you and him may be coming from, but at the same time, you can't be an Auburn man and an Alabama guy at the same time. Just can't happen. We go head to head in to much shit for there to be 30 something days of fence riding.
It would not have been a good deal for anyone.
So...timing may just not have been right and timing is everything. Just ask Alabama with the Saban hire...
Excellent take.
-
Maybe. And in that case, like Scarbinsky, I don't see what the point in interviewing Smart was. If rivalry is an issue, why even bother? I think that most everybody here could have guessed that he would want to coach in the NCG. Who would really want to establish a precedent on their resume of fucking over their previous employer?
Worth a shot to ask.
It should have just been done in private.
OR...when they expressed interest, the two parties should have laid out that issue before it got to an interview...
-
Worth a shot to ask.
It should have just been done in private.
OR...when they expressed interest, the two parties should have laid out that issue before it got to an interview...
I was thinking the same thing after you raised the point. That shit could have been handled with a 30 second phone call.
-
Worth a shot to ask.
It should have just been done in private.
OR...when they expressed interest, the two parties should have laid out that issue before it got to an interview...
Frankly, it puzzles me that he thought that was an option either side would consider. Can you imagine the fallout by bammers if their defense played like shit in the NCG under the new Auburn coach?
-
Fuck that dipshit Jay Jacobs. What the fuck was the point in even calling Petrino? Was he trying just to burn that bridge and make sure he doesn't even consider Auburn the next time we hire a coach? The day Auburn fans quit bending over and run that dumb son of a bitch out of town will be a day that is equal to the 2010 BCS Title and the Bear's death.
As for Kirby, atleast they didn't listen to PFD this time. Hell why didn't we just shoot for the offensive equivalent of Kirby Smart.......... Oregon's OC? :taunt: Fuck that.
-
Frankly, it puzzles me that he thought that was an option either side would consider. Can you imagine the fallout by bammers if their defense played like shit in the NCG under the new Auburn coach?
This. The fact that Smart thought coaching in the NC game was even an option tells me he might not be quite ready to leave the nest.
-
Who would really want to establish a precedent on their resume of fucking over their previous employer? It certainly didn't do Petrino any favors in the eyes of those who did not want him at AU.
Pay Attention (especially Creed Thumpers)
Gus just fucked over his previous employer and all the kids whom he recruited, he was there one year and took off. After Hugh Freeze did the same thing the year before.
To me this is no different from Tuberville leaving Ole Miss, to Saban leaving the Dolphins, to Petrino leaving the Falcons. I am not saying that it is the right thing to do, but it is pretty much par for the course in coaching.
-
Pay Attention (especially Creed Thumpers)
Gus just fucked over his previous employer and all the kids whom he recruited, he was there one year and took off. After Hugh Freeze did the same thing the year before.
To me this is no different from Tuberville leaving Ole Miss, to Saban leaving the Dolphins, to Petrino leaving the Falcons. I am not saying that it is the right thing to do, but it is pretty much par for the course in coaching.
Is it ever done differently? It's how the business is. Surely Ark. St. had no illusions of keeping Gus over 3 years, if that long? He won the conference his first year as a HC. If Auburn hadn't hired him, he'd likely be at Ark., TN, or somewhere.
By the way, for all those that said him taking a pay cut from 1.2 Mill to 800K was stupid...remember I said it was an investment, not a loss, and it just netted him a 3.2Mil job in only one year. He gave up 400k for one year, and it netted him a 2Mil raise over the job he gave up. That's a phenomenal return on his money.
-
Is it ever done differently? It's how the business is.
No, but the Petrino bashers were using it as a reason as to why Auburn shouldn't consider him.
-
Pay Attention (especially Creed Thumpers)
Gus just fudgeed over his previous employer and all the kids whom he recruited, he was there one year and took off. After Hugh Freeze did the same thing the year before.
To me this is no different from Tuberville leaving Ole Miss, to Saban leaving the Dolphins, to Petrino leaving the Falcons. I am not saying that it is the right thing to do, but it is pretty much par for the course in coaching.
The ONLY difference I see is that it's for the BCS MNC. If that makes any difference is arguable. If I were in Smart's shoes, I prob coach that game even if it costs me a HC job. There will be others.
-
Is it ever done differently? It's how the business is. Surely Ark. St. had no illusions of keeping Gus over 3 years, if that long? He won the conference his first year as a HC. If Auburn hadn't hired him, he'd likely be at Ark., TN, or somewhere.
By the way, for all those that said him taking a pay cut from 1.2 Mill to 800K was stupid...remember I said it was an investment, not a loss, and it just netted him a 3.2Mil job in only one year. He gave up 400k for one year, and it netted him a 2Mil raise over the job he gave up. That's a phenomenal return on his money.
Not that it matters but Gus's contract is for 2.3 million. Not 3.2
-
No, but the Petrino bashers were using it as a reason as to why Auburn shouldn't consider him.
No, listen again. Petrino was not our choice (nor anyone else's for that matter) not because he left Louisville or Atlanta. He was not, not the choice because he had an affair. He was not the choice because he was the "CEO" of a multi million dollar organization that hired his mistress over much more qualified individuals, lied about the reasons for her hiring, and put that organization in jeopardy of huge law suits. This kind of behavior will not be overlooked anytime soon by a big time school. Petrino will have to go be a coach at a lower level nobody school, prove that he has righted his ship and then work his way back up.
Think about this as a business (which it is). Who's going to hire Ken Lay again any time soon? Bernie Madoff? No One could ever trust either one of them and No One trusts Bobby Either
-
Not that it matters but Gus's contract is for 2.3 million. Not 3.2
Thought I heard 3.2. Still, a hell of a return on investment.
-
No, listen again. Petrino was not our choice (nor anyone else's for that matter) not because he left Louisville or Atlanta. He was not, not the choice because he had an affair. He was not the choice because he was the "CEO" of a multi million dollar organization that hired his mistress over much more qualified individuals, lied about the reasons for her hiring, and put that organization in jeopardy of huge law suits. This kind of behavior will not be overlooked anytime soon by a big time school. Petrino will have to go be a coach at a lower level nobody school, prove that he has righted his ship and then work his way back up.
Think about this as a business (which it is). Who's going to hire Ken Lay again any time soon? Bernie Madoff? No One could ever trust either one of them and No One trusts Bobby Either
This. All of it. Anyone ignoring this is not being truthful with themselves and is not familiar with the current world in which we live.
-
This. All of it. Anyone ignoring this is not being truthful with themselves and is not familiar with the current world in which we live.
But hey, it's "not about Petrino" right
-
No, listen again. Petrino was not our choice (nor anyone else's for that matter) not because he left Louisville or Atlanta. He was not, not the choice because he had an affair. He was not the choice because he was the "CEO" of a multi million dollar organization that hired his mistress over much more qualified individuals, lied about the reasons for her hiring, and put that organization in jeopardy of huge law suits. This kind of behavior will not be overlooked anytime soon by a big time school. Petrino will have to go be a coach at a lower level nobody school, prove that he has righted his ship and then work his way back up.
Think about this as a business (which it is). Who's going to hire Ken Lay again any time soon? Bernie Madoff? No One could ever trust either one of them and No One trusts Bobby Either
I agree however, there was a large group of folks that were using what Jarhead said as one of the main reasons.
Petrino was never my first choice. I just never wanted Gus, mainly because of what THS and Scarbinsky have pointed out.
I am also concerned about his eye for talent &/or development of that talent because his baby (our QB situation) is a mess.
His ability to recruit in general.
The fact that he is an offensive coach and our defense is fucked 6 ways to Sunday.
and his overall lack of experience, especially considering the state of our program.
-
But hey, it's "not about Petrino" right
For me its not...I could give two shits about Petrino. I didn't want Gus.
I think it is a fail hire.
-
His DC hire will make or break him, imnsho. If he hires a proven, solid guy to lead the defense, and allows him to run the show from recruiting to schemes; then I really think he proves most of us wrong.
I think aTm and Ole Piss this season have proven that the HUNH can be effective in the SECW. IF Malz can find a serviceable QB to run his offense in 2013, it will be a carbon copy of 2009. With a somewhat strong defense to go with his offense, look the fuck out!
-
I agree however, there was a large group of folks that were using what Jarhead said as one of the main reasons.
Petrino was never my first choice. I just never wanted Gus, mainly because of what THS and Scarbinsky have pointed out.
I am also concerned about his eye for talent &/or development of that talent because his baby (our QB situation) is a mess. I'm willing to bet Frazier looks alot better back in Malzahns system. Kid has the tools, just could not get it done in a Pro Set Offense
His ability to recruit in general. Most of the kids want to play in this type of system. Do you think we have the top recruiting classes we have had if we had been running Loeffler's system?
The fact that he is an offensive coach and our defense is fucked 6 ways to Sunday. Can't win if you can't score (see 2012)
and his overall lack of experience, especially considering the state of our program. I'll give you this one. However Muschamp had no experience, Florida was in the shitter, and he's doing OK. We'll just have to see
-
BFMP was nomore of a fucking risk than Gus (who was apart in developing the current culture) or Kirby Smart's DA. The only difference, Petrino MIGHT have embarrassed us off the field, while Kirby and Gus would be more than likely to embarrass Auburn on the field while we get our shit pushed in.
Btw, BMFP reaction to the 15 minute interview has been released.....
1:24 mark to the 2:56 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yky4QtRX_DI
-
No, but the Petrino bashers were using it as a reason as to why Auburn shouldn't consider him.
It's like I think it and you type it.
-
I'm willing to bet Frazier looks alot better back in Malzahns system. Kid has the tools, just could not get it done in a Pro Set Offense
How much would you like to bet? $50 $100 Sorry totally disagree scheme had nothing to do with Fraziers lack of ability
Most of the kids want to play in this type of system. Do you think we have the top recruiting classes we have had if we had been running Loeffler's system?
Kids want to play for a winning team, defense doesn't give a crap about what offensive scheme we run
Can't win if you can't score (see 2012)
This doesn't really make sense because you also can't win if you let your opponent score more then you, so whatever.
I'll give you this one. However Muschamp had no experience, Florida was in the shitter, and he's doing OK. We'll just have to see
Muschamp also wasn't at the program prior to it being fucked up. He also took over for a coach that wasn't a moron and has had success elsewhere.
Listen I'm not arguing over this IMO it was a monumentally fail of a hire. We could have done a whole lot better.
-
No, listen again. Petrino was not our choice (nor anyone else's for that matter) not because he left Louisville or Atlanta. He was not, not the choice because he had an affair. He was not the choice because he was the "CEO" of a multi million dollar organization that hired his mistress over much more qualified individuals, lied about the reasons for her hiring, and put that organization in jeopardy of huge law suits. This kind of behavior will not be overlooked anytime soon by a big time school. Petrino will have to go be a coach at a lower level nobody school, prove that he has righted his ship and then work his way back up.
Think about this as a business (which it is). Who's going to hire Ken Lay again any time soon? Bernie Madoff? No One could ever trust either one of them and No One trusts Bobby Either
Your comparison holds no water. Ken Lay is dead.
-
Listen I'm not arguing over this IMO it was a monumentally fail of a hire. We could have done a whole lot better.
Agree on the Frayzuh. Being able to hit the broad side of a barn and go through progressions is fundamental regardless of system.
-
Listen I'm not arguing over this IMO it was a monumentally fail of a hire.
^^^^^This times infinity
We could have done a whole lot better.
Sadly, I don't know that I agree with this part
-
For me its not...I could give two shits about Petrino. I didn't want Gus.
I think it is a fail hire.
Agree here.
Wasn't about Petrino, it was about not going after the most proven HC out there. Why didn't we walk up to Patterson, Peterson, Stoops, Muschamp, and say "Here is $25 million dollars for 5 years, come on down.". MAKE THEM GODDAMN TELL YOU NO BEFORE YOU HIRE A QUIRKY AUTISTIC MOTHERFUCKER THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH!!!
Seriously, am I the only AU fan that is mad as fucking hell that we didn't make people tell us no before settling on a C tier coach?
May Jay Jacobs choke on a fat cock.
-
No, listen again. Petrino was not our choice (nor anyone else's for that matter) not because he left Louisville or Atlanta. He was not, not the choice because he had an affair. He was not the choice because he was the "CEO" of a multi million dollar organization that hired his mistress over much more qualified individuals, lied about the reasons for her hiring, and put that organization in jeopardy of huge law suits. This kind of behavior will not be overlooked anytime soon by a big time school. Petrino will have to go be a coach at a lower level nobody school, prove that he has righted his ship and then work his way back up.
Think about this as a business (which it is). Who's going to hire Ken Lay again any time soon? Bernie Madoff? No One could ever trust either one of them and No One trusts Bobby Either
AUTR, I agree 100% with what you said. Petrino wasn't my first choice. If one would be to eliminate him, it should have been (rightly) on the fact that he opened Arkansas up to law suits.
But for the War Blogle's of the world to say how bad Petrino was because he fucked a hot blonde and that's why we shouldn't hire him. Or that he fucked over Louisville and the Falcons as to reasons why we shouldn't hire him. That's where my comments were coming from.
-
If Gus has phenomenal success.. he's heading to the NFL in 2-3 years (where a spread offense likely won't work). If Gus has nothing but 6 win seasons in 2-3 years.. he's likely run out of town.
Hopefully in 2-3 years, his replacement is not decided by Jay Jacobs.
Also I agree with the previous post: his DC hire will be what decides if there are 6 win seasons or 8-9 win seasons.
So are we keeping the "security firm" to make sure players are in their dorms by 11pm to keep everyone from getting criminal charges or what?
-
While I admit, it was obviously all about Petrino for me because imo he was the most PROVEN HCing CANDIDATE that was out there But again just compare Auburn and Arky's coaching search. Arky makes offer for Lester, rumored to hire Peterson, and lands the guy who just won his 3rd Big Ten title along with his 3rd Rose Bowl birth. Auburn interviews Malzahn, Smart, Rob Morris ($1 to Danny Sheridan) and insults Petrino. Fucking embarrassing.
Look, if Petrino had 0 chance from the get go, why not just go ahead and say it from the get go like others did? That is another big fail squarely on the shoulders of the AD. Seriously, the motherfucker is so inept he has to have a search committee of Auburn ledgens put together to help him find a HC. I thought that is what Auburn was paying his ass for?
-
To address the QB situation. Show of hands. How many here were pissed off we signed the USA Today Player of the Year? Thought so.
How many teams around the country would love to have signed Frazier? I saw him play twice in HS and the kid was a stud. Plain and simple. But, as can often be the case, Mr. Athletic HS QB did not translate well when jumping to the best division in the nation. But Malzahn didn't "develop" him. How exactly do you develop an incredibly raw true freshman when there's no way he's going to be your starter? Trotter was back with 2 years to go and some game experience under his belt....and 2 years in Malzahn's system. Decent QB when he had his head on straight.
How do you develop a kid when your O-line goes from the most to least experienced in the country in one year? When your 240 pound fullback is gone. When your 2 leading receivers are gone. When your head coach says you're not going to run the offense the way you want to.
Oh..and Scott Leftlerzes was the OC but was brought in as much for his work with elite QB's as anything else. Remember how we talked about that....showed practice footage of him working with the QB's? How did Frazier's development work out there? The kid was apparently overrated by everyone.
Zeke Pike? Kid was running his pie hole and getting in trouble before he got to AU. You can call it an excuse all you want but I blame Gene Chizik. I have no problem taking a chance on a kid. Had no problem taking a chance on Pike. Still don't think it was a bad decision. But they brought a kid in with known prior problems and released him into a culture (Thug culture? Not so off base now, is it) that produced the likes of the Felony 4, Synthetic Mike, DeAngelo "I'ma pop a cap off in yo ass" Benton, Reese Sidewalk Dismukes and on and on. So bad that it got to the point that Geno had to hire security. Ole Zekey was in heaven, free to do what he wanted with no Yox to stick a foot up his ass.
The "Culture" and discipline are all on Chizik. If a counselor says your starting QB ain't going to class, don't call him/her a liar. It's not up to the OC to set up a system of monitoring and disciplining the players. Chizik simply was in over his head and it's become more apparent every single day that he did not know how to run a program. Not at Iowa State. Not here. It may have been posted already, but someone who twats on the tweeters, see if you can find Lee Ziemba's comments on the CGM hire. I was told today you might feel a little better about things changing at Auburn.
-
While I admit, it was obviously all about Petrino for me because imo he was the most PROVEN HCing CANDIDATE that was out there But again just compare Auburn and Arky's coaching search. Arky makes offer for Lester, rumored to hire Peterson, and lands the guy who just won his 3rd Big Ten title along with his 3rd Rose Bowl birth. Auburn interviews Malzahn, Smart, Rob Morris ($1 to Danny Sheridan) and insults Petrino. Fucking embarrassing.
Look, if Petrino had 0 chance from the get go, why not just go ahead and say it from the get go like others did? That is another big fail squarely on the shoulders of the AD. Seriously, the motherfucker is so inept he has to have a search committee of Auburn ledgens put together to help him find a HC. I thought that is what Auburn was paying his ass for?
One odd thing from the press conference.. when Bo spoke, he only said "Mr. Gogue, I was just wondering where do I send the bill??" Then he steps away from the podium.. didn't seem to be too much of a joke, unless Bo totally sucks at punchline delivery. Also.. why not state why you support the hire/factors that contributed to coming to Malzahn as the answer??
JJ was standing next to him and got all derpy after that statement.
I kind of wonder how much of a role everyone had in the whole coaching hunt. There's just too much fail to believe that this hire wasn't mostly a result of JJ, but I guess we'll never know for sure.
-
To address the QB situation. Show of hands. How many here were pissed off we signed the USA Today Player of the Year? Thought so.
How many teams around the country would love to have signed Frazier? I saw him play twice in HS and the kid was a stud. Plain and simple. But, as can often be the case, Mr. Athletic HS QB did not translate well when jumping to the best division in the nation. But Malzahn didn't "develop" him. How exactly do you develop an incredibly raw true freshman when there's no way he's going to be your starter? Trotter was back with 2 years to go and some game experience under his belt....and 2 years in Malzahn's system. Decent QB when he had his head on straight.
How do you develop a kid when your O-line goes from the most to least experienced in the country in one year? When your 240 pound fullback is gone. When your 2 leading receivers are gone. When your head coach says you're not going to run the offense the way you want to.
Oh..and Scott Leftlerzes was the OC but was brought in as much for his work with elite QB's as anything else. Remember how we talked about that....showed practice footage of him working with the QB's? How did Frazier's development work out there? The kid was apparently overrated by everyone.
Zeke Pike? Kid was running his pie hole and getting in trouble before he got to AU. You can call it an excuse all you want but I blame Gene Chizik. I have no problem taking a chance on a kid. Had no problem taking a chance on Pike. Still don't think it was a bad decision. But they brought a kid in with known prior problems and released him into a culture (Thug culture? Not so off base now, is it) that produced the likes of the Felony 4, Synthetic Mike, DeAngelo "I'ma pop a cap off in yo ass" Benton, Reese Sidewalk Dismukes and on and on. So bad that it got to the point that Geno had to hire security. Ole Zekey was in heaven, free to do what he wanted with no Yox to stick a foot up his ass.
The "Culture" and discipline are all on Chizik. If a counselor says your starting QB ain't going to class, don't call him/her a liar. It's not up to the OC to set up a system of monitoring and disciplining the players. Chizik simply was in over his head and it's become more apparent every single day that he did not know how to run a program. Not at Iowa State. Not here. It may have been posted already, but someone who twats on the tweeters, see if you can find Lee Ziemba's comments on the CGM hire. I was told today you might feel a little better about things changing at Auburn.
I hope you are right. I hope I am dead wrong. The history of JJ's hires favor me.
I'll be on the Gus Bus come August (I have no choice), but right now..I can't get on it.
-
While I admit, it was obviously all about Petrino for me because imo he was the most PROVEN HCing CANDIDATE that was out there But again just compare Auburn and Arky's coaching search. Arky makes offer for Lester, rumored to hire Peterson, and lands the guy who just won his 3rd Big Ten title along with his 3rd Rose Bowl birth. Auburn interviews Malzahn, Smart, Rob Morris ($1 to Danny Sheridan) and insults Petrino. Fucking embarrassing.
Look, if Petrino had 0 chance from the get go, why not just go ahead and say it from the get go like others did? That is another big fail squarely on the shoulders of the AD. Seriously, the motherfucker is so inept he has to have a search committee of Auburn ledgens put together to help him find a HC. I thought that is what Auburn was paying his ass for?
We also interviewed Patterson. There comes a point where you don't want to get "turned down" by pipe dreams enough that it looks like you are settling for your 7th or 8th choice. You have no idea, nor do I how many people we reached out to gauge interest before publicly announcing Malzahn
-
We also interviewed Patterson. There comes a point where you don't want to get "turned down" by pipe dreams enough that it looks like you are settling for your 7th or 8th choice. You have no idea, nor do I how many people we reached out to gauge interest before publicly announcing Malzahn
Thats bullshit imo, coaches such as Patterson shouldn't be a pipedream. Over the past 10/20/30 years Auburn credentials speak for themselves in terms of being able to succeed. Seriously if Mr. 5-19 can come here and win the BCS Title, what coach out there looks at Auburn and says, "yea it would be hard to win there." Auburn is a damn good job and going out and hiring 2 HCs back to back with a combined 3 years experience is a fail. Me thinks the problem isn't Auburn but the motherfucker setting in the AD's office who has fucking shit up with Marsh, Muschamp, Patterson, insulting Petrino and hiring Chizik on his resume.
-
Thats bullshit imo, coaches such as Patterson shouldn't be a pipedream. Over the past 10/20/30 years Auburn credentials speak for themselves in terms of being able to succeed. Seriously if Mr. 5-19 can come here and win the BCS Title, what coach out there looks at Auburn and says, "yea it would be hard to win there." Auburn is a damn good job and going out and hiring 2 HCs back to back with a combined 3 years experience is a fail. Me thinks the problem isn't Auburn but the motherfucker setting in the AD's office who has fucking shit up with Marsh, Muschamp, Patterson, insulting Petrino and hiring Chizik on his resume.
Please name me 5 coaches who were at the top of their game, at a top program that went to another top program.
Your scenario just does not happen very often. The best coaches in the country were either plucked from a mid tier team as a HC or from the coordinator ranks.
We went the mid tier HC route. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not. At least with Gus, he has been successful at EVERY stop along the way. Chiz, not so much (see ISU)
-
Thats bullshit imo, coaches such as Patterson shouldn't be a pipedream. Over the past 10/20/30 years Auburn credentials speak for themselves in terms of being able to succeed. Seriously if Mr. 5-19 can come here and win the BCS Title, what coach out there looks at Auburn and says, "yea it would be hard to win there." Auburn is a damn good job and going out and hiring 2 HCs back to back with a combined 3 years experience is a fail. Me thinks the problem isn't Auburn but the motherfucker setting in the AD's office who has fucking shit up with Marsh, Muschamp, Patterson, insulting Petrino and hiring Chizik on his resume.
Agree. The above mentioned mindset that these types of coaches are "pipe dreams" are what got us in our current situation.
-
Agree. The above mentioned mindset that these types of coaches are "pipe dreams" are what got us in our current situation.
Again:
Please name me 5 coaches who were at the top of their game, at a top program that went to another top program.
Your scenario just does not happen very often. The best coaches in the country were either plucked from a mid tier team as a HC or from the coordinator ranks.
We went the mid tier HC route. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not. At least with Gus, he has been successful at EVERY stop along the way. Chiz, not so much (see ISU)
-
Listen I'm not arguing over this IMO it was a monumentally fail of a hire. We could have done a whole lot better.
With who? Why?
-
Again:
Please name me 5 coaches who were at the top of their game, at a top program that went to another top program.
Your scenario just does not happen very often. The best coaches in the country were either plucked from a mid tier team as a HC or from the coordinator ranks.
We went the mid tier HC route. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not. At least with Gus, he has been successful at EVERY stop along the way. Chiz, not so much (see ISU)
Nick Saban - Michigan State to LSU to Miami Dolphins to Alabama.
Bret Bielema - Wisconsin to Arkansas.
Rich Rod - West Virginia to Michigan.
Steve Spurrier - UF to Redskins to USC
Urban Meyer - UF to OSU
Etc...
They are actually endless examples. We chose to go the easy route, because of the buffoon Jay Jacobs and the mindset mentioned above.
-
With who? Why?
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Mark Hudspeth
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State)
-
To address the QB situation. Show of hands. How many here were pissed off we signed the USA Today Player of the Year? Thought so.
How many teams around the country would love to have signed Frazier? I saw him play twice in HS and the kid was a stud. Plain and simple. But, as can often be the case, Mr. Athletic HS QB did not translate well when jumping to the best division in the nation. But Malzahn didn't "develop" him. How exactly do you develop an incredibly raw true freshman when there's no way he's going to be your starter? Trotter was back with 2 years to go and some game experience under his belt....and 2 years in Malzahn's system. Decent QB when he had his head on straight.
How do you develop a kid when your O-line goes from the most to least experienced in the country in one year? When your 240 pound fullback is gone. When your 2 leading receivers are gone. When your head coach says you're not going to run the offense the way you want to.
Oh..and Scott Leftlerzes was the OC but was brought in as much for his work with elite QB's as anything else. Remember how we talked about that....showed practice footage of him working with the QB's? How did Frazier's development work out there? The kid was apparently overrated by everyone.
Zeke Pike? Kid was running his pie hole and getting in trouble before he got to AU. You can call it an excuse all you want but I blame Gene Chizik. I have no problem taking a chance on a kid. Had no problem taking a chance on Pike. Still don't think it was a bad decision. But they brought a kid in with known prior problems and released him into a culture (Thug culture? Not so off base now, is it) that produced the likes of the Felony 4, Synthetic Mike, DeAngelo "I'ma pop a cap off in yo ass" Benton, Reese Sidewalk Dismukes and on and on. So bad that it got to the point that Geno had to hire security. Ole Zekey was in heaven, free to do what he wanted with no Yox to stick a foot up his ass.
The "Culture" and discipline are all on Chizik. If a counselor says your starting QB ain't going to class, don't call him/her a liar. It's not up to the OC to set up a system of monitoring and disciplining the players. Chizik simply was in over his head and it's become more apparent every single day that he did not know how to run a program. Not at Iowa State. Not here. It may have been posted already, but someone who twats on the tweeters, see if you can find Lee Ziemba's comments on the CGM hire. I was told today you might feel a little better about things changing at Auburn.
You're right. It does fall at the feet of the man in charge. I agree 100% with you on that. We are still talking about a bunch of kids, b/c that is what they are, seeing a coach that was on staff when it was a free for all. It will either make them not respect him or it will make then resent him when he becomes a hardass. I hope I am wrong, but I don't see the culture changing. I don't have warm fuzzies at all.
Let him hire JWJr and Rock and the warm fuzzies might come back, but until he hires some mean ass assistants I will continue to doubt we will all of a sudden become hard and play with heart.
-
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Mark Hudspeth
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State)
Go ahead and add David Shaw to that list for me. I think that would have been one faptastic hire.
-
Nick Saban - Michigan State to LSU to Miami Dolphins to Alabama. Was failing at Miami, needed to get back to college. When he was at Mich State he was not considered the it hire at LSU
Bret Bielema - Wisconsin to Arkansas. Not impressed
Rich Rod - West Virginia to Michigan. WVU was Mid Tier
Steve Spurrier - UF to Redskins to USC Failing and getting Fired in Wash Needed a job
Urban Meyer - UF to OSU Quit on Florida and was unemployed at the time of OSU hire.
Etc...
They are actually endless examples. We chose to go the easy route, because of the buffoon Jay Jacobs and the mindset mentioned above.
Out of your examples, only 1 works and just barely and thats Bielema
-
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong MEH
Chris Petersen Not leaving Boise
Gary Patterson We tried and failed
Mark Hudspeth MEH
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State) No better than Gus
-
Bielema makes me want to throw up
-
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong MEH
Chris Petersen Not leaving Boise
Gary Patterson We tried and failed
Mark Hudspeth MEH
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State) No better than Gus
And you have information on all of that? You don't know if we tried on Patterson, You don't know that we couldn't get Petersen. We need a culture change that isn't happening with Gus, if you can't see that I can't help you.
JJ has a history of failed and shitty hires...that tells me all I need to know
-
Bielema makes me want to throw up
No need to hate on fat people.
-
Bielema makes me want to throw up
Even more so when he is kicking our ass.
-
Even more so when he is kicking our ass.
Jake excels against the pro style
-
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong MEH
Chris Petersen Not leaving Boise
Gary Patterson We tried and failed
Mark Hudspeth MEH
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State) No better than Gus
What he said. Strong is a hot name, but his resume doesn't support the hype. I think he's a good coach, but to call him a "home run hire", not even. Petersen, or Patterson, yep. Hudspeth? You're kidding, right? Doeren? 2 good seasons at Norther Fucking Illinois makes him a "home run hire"?
-
No need to hate on fat people.
:bar:
-
What he said. Strong is a hot name, but his resume doesn't support the hype. I think he's a good coach, but to call him a "home run hire", not even. Petersen, or Patterson, yep. Hudspeth? You're kidding, right? Doeren? 2 good seasons at Norther Fucking Illinois makes him a "home run hire"?
Did home run hires come out of my mouth. You asked me who I thought was better.
and Hudspeth is 83-29 as a HC, he sure as hell has a lot more experience then Malzahn.
-
Please name me 5 coaches who were at the top of their game, at a top program that went to another top program.
Your scenario just does not happen very often. The best coaches in the country were either plucked from a mid tier team as a HC or from the coordinator ranks.
We went the mid tier HC route. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not. At least with Gus, he has been successful at EVERY stop along the way. Chiz, not so much (see ISU)
Like GF said I will be on the Gus Bus eventually and have stated how much better of a hire I think he is compared to Smart.
With that said instead of naming you 5 coaches, how about this. Do you really think its unrealistic for a school like Auburn to be able to pull a guy like Patterson from TCU when Arky's last 2 hires were a coach they stole from the NFL and a guy who just curb stomped Nebraska to win his 3 Big 10 title? Do you remember Eugene's hire where Patterson didn't withdrawl his name till the eve of the announcement? Same thing this time. Rumors come out Patterson was staying at TCU late Monday night and word breaks Gus is being hired by the next afternoon. Maybe the reason Patterson decided to stay each time is because he didn't want everyone to know his ass was passed up because Jay Jacobs dumbass already had his sites set on Chizik and Gus. Seriously if the guy interviewed for the job the last 2 times, what the hell does that tell you about his interest level?
-
Did home run hires come out of my mouth. You asked me who I thought was better.
and Hudspeth is 83-29 as a HC, he sure as hell has a lot more experience then Malzahn.
Ok, scratch the "home run hire" part. I still disagree. JMO, YMMV.
-
Like GF said I will be on the Gus Bus eventually and have stated how much better of a hire I think he is compared to Smart.
With that said instead of naming you 5 coaches, how about this. Do you really think its unrealistic for a school like Auburn to be able to pull a guy like Patterson from TCU when Arky's last 2 hires were a coach they stole from the NFL and a guy who just curb stomped Nebraska to win his 3 Big 10 title? Do you remember Eugene's hire where Patterson didn't withdrawl his name till the eve of the announcement? Same thing this time. Rumors come out Patterson was staying at TCU late Monday night and word breaks Gus is being hired by the next afternoon. Maybe the reason Patterson decided to stay each time is because he didn't want everyone to know his ass was passed up because Jay Jacobs dumbass already had his sites set on Chizik and Gus. Seriously if the guy interviewed for the job the last 2 times, what the hell does that tell you about his interest level?
The rookie gets it.
-
This is a moot point cause it doesn't frickin matter but,
Charlie Strong
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Mark Hudspeth
Dave Doeren (prior to going to NC State)
For the record Strong was my first choice for about the last week of the process. Petrino was my 2nd or 3rd. I like Patterson too but knew it wasn't happening. Like Peterson too.
-
Out of your examples, only 1 works and just barely and thats Bielema
You asked to give 5 coaches that were on top and moved to similar programs. I did just that.
-
You asked to give 5 coaches that were on top and moved to similar programs. I did just that.
Saban was on top in Miami?
Spurrier was on top in Washington?
Urban Meyer was unemployed
West Virginia wasn't even in a BCS conference.
-
Saban was on top in Miami?
Spurrier was on top in Washington?
Urban Meyer was unemployed
West Virginia wasn't even in a BCS conference.
Saban was on top at LSU, Meyer was on top at Florida, West Virginia almost went to the National Championship under Rodriguez, Spurrier won a National Championship at Florida. You didn't preface your comment saying they left their program the immediate next year, regardless, it happens. We settled for mediocrity.
-
Saban was on top at LSU, Meyer was on top at Florida, West Virginia almost went to the National Championship under Rodriguez, Spurrier won a National Championship at Florida. You didn't preface your comment saying they left their program the immediate next year, regardless, it happens. We settled for mediocrity.
Not to forgot, NO ONE thought Saban was leaving Miami, he was only in year 2....bama went and got him.
Now I have no idea who we offered and if we did offer guys like Strong or Patterson maybe they told us to fuck off. However, IMO that is still Jacobs fault any way you want to look at it.
-
So, if I understand this correctly, yous guys aren't pleased with the search committee results?
-
So, if I understand this correctly, yous guys aren't pleased with the search committee results?
(http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/CAPTAIN_eb2387_613754.jpg)
-
Saban was on top at LSU, Meyer was on top at Florida, West Virginia almost went to the National Championship under Rodriguez, Spurrier won a National Championship at Florida. You didn't preface your comment saying they left their program the immediate next year, regardless, it happens. We settled for mediocrity.
That's not even good "lawyer" talk
-
So, if I understand this correctly, yous guys aren't pleased with the search committee results?
I agree with a handful here. A few have waffled. The search committee did exactly as it was supposed to: provide Gogue and Jacobs a fucking barrier by placing three Auburn legends in the foreground. Did they interview some coaches? Yes. They vetted some coaches, made some calls, some names emerged but in the end it was as if it was already etched in stone. Petrino wasn't interviewed and Patterson might have been guaged for interest but you talk turkey with a heavyweight like him; up front if you truly want him, same for all of the top coaches. Mora Jr. supposedly declined but we don't a know what actually took place. In the end Jacobs got his man. He lowrates Auburn by his actions. Was it a fail? Yes by my standards for Auburn it is and it has nothing to do with how I feel about any of the candidates, especially Malzahn.
Auburn is a top 15 job but we can't get a guy from TCU or UCLA?
Oh we talked to them.
Really?
-
I agree with a handful here. A few have waffled. The search committee did exactly as it was supposed to: provide Gogue and Jacobs a fudgeing barrier by placing three Auburn legends in the foreground. Did they interview some coaches? Yes. They vetted some coaches, made some calls, some names emerged but in the end it was as if it was already etched in stone. Petrino wasn't interviewed and Patterson might have been guaged for interest but you talk turkey with a heavyweight like him; up front if you truly want him, same for all of the top coaches. Mora Jr. supposedly declined but we don't a know what actually took place. In the end Jacobs got his man. He lowrates Auburn by his actions. Was it a fail? Yes by my standards for Auburn it is and it has nothing to do with how I feel about any of the candidates, especially Malzahn.
Auburn is a top 15 job but we can't get a guy from TCU or UCLA?
Oh we talked to them.
Really?
In the end, I was more of a Smart guy. The more that I think about his supposed list of demands, the more I realize that there is no way that he could currently come to Auburn. He wanted total control of the football program and we know that JJ won't relinquish that. I think that may have been the deal breaker.
Wanting to coach in the BCS natty isn't a big deal to me. The amount of publicity that AU would have received--positive for a change--is immeasurable. Recruits all across the country watching the game and seeing the next HC at AU prolly win his 3rd BCS natty. Yeah, it puts the HC behind by 40 days but at this point, I don't think it matters. Woulda taken a lot of guts for JJ to make that decision cause it would not have been popular.
I'm cautiously optimistic with Gus. Ellis Johnson (if hired) was a very important hire and a safe one. I would've preferred giving Rock a shot at DC but maybe he will be interested in coming in as a sort of DC in waiting role. I'm hopeful we can retain Grimes and Thigpen. I like Luper but am undecided on TT.
edit: Then I read that Malzahn won't retain any staff? http://auburn.247sports.com/Article/All-Auburn-assistants-are-let-go-by-Malzahn-105293
-
To address the QB situation. Show of hands. How many here were pissed off we signed the USA Today Player of the Year? Thought so.
How many teams around the country would love to have signed Frazier? I saw him play twice in HS and the kid was a stud. Plain and simple. But, as can often be the case, Mr. Athletic HS QB did not translate well when jumping to the best division in the nation. But Malzahn didn't "develop" him. How exactly do you develop an incredibly raw true freshman when there's no way he's going to be your starter? Trotter was back with 2 years to go and some game experience under his belt....and 2 years in Malzahn's system. Decent QB when he had his head on straight.
How do you develop a kid when your O-line goes from the most to least experienced in the country in one year? When your 240 pound fullback is gone. When your 2 leading receivers are gone. When your head coach says you're not going to run the offense the way you want to.
Oh..and Scott Leftlerzes was the OC but was brought in as much for his work with elite QB's as anything else. Remember how we talked about that....showed practice footage of him working with the QB's? How did Frazier's development work out there? The kid was apparently overrated by everyone.
Zeke Pike? Kid was running his pie hole and getting in trouble before he got to AU. You can call it an excuse all you want but I blame Gene Chizik. I have no problem taking a chance on a kid. Had no problem taking a chance on Pike. Still don't think it was a bad decision. But they brought a kid in with known prior problems and released him into a culture (Thug culture? Not so off base now, is it) that produced the likes of the Felony 4, Synthetic Mike, DeAngelo "I'ma pop a cap off in yo ass" Benton, Reese Sidewalk Dismukes and on and on. So bad that it got to the point that Geno had to hire security. Ole Zekey was in heaven, free to do what he wanted with no Yox to stick a foot up his ass.
The "Culture" and discipline are all on Chizik. If a counselor says your starting QB ain't going to class, don't call him/her a liar. It's not up to the OC to set up a system of monitoring and disciplining the players. Chizik simply was in over his head and it's become more apparent every single day that he did not know how to run a program. Not at Iowa State. Not here. It may have been posted already, but someone who twats on the tweeters, see if you can find Lee Ziemba's comments on the CGM hire. I was told today you might feel a little better about things changing at Auburn.
Get the hell out of my head.