The end of the season is approaching, rumors are flying, and the coaching carousel is turning once again.
Auburn’s head coach, Tommy Tuberville, appears to be one of the leading candidates to replace Texas A&M’s Dennis Franchione at the end of the year. Tuberville was defensive coordinator for the Aggies in 1994 and helped coach them to a 10-0-1 record.
The Auburn faithful might have reason to worry.
Auburn and Tuberville do have a bit of a rocky past. In 2003, preseason hype had the Tigers in the National Title picture, but after a disappointing 7-5 regular season, Tuberville’s status at Auburn was a hot topic.
High-ranking Auburn officials flew to Louisville to interview head coach Bobby Petrino on the night of the Iron Bowl. Once the situation was made public, it backfired. Tuberville won the Iron Bowl and the bowl game after, and went 13-0 the next season, making him the most powerful man in Auburn.
As recently as this year, Tuberville heard some cries for his head after his early season loss to Mississippi State, dropping his record to 1-2 at the time. Needless to say, Auburn has not been great to Coach Tubs, and I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten.
Word is Tommy still has a house in College Station.
So as the reality that Tuberville may be leaving at the end of the year becomes more apparent, the Auburn nation is bracing itself for what may be the second coaching change in the state of Alabama in as many years.
But who should be on Auburn’s shortlist of candidates if Tuberville decides to bolt, and what are Auburn’s chances of landing these coaches?
1. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
Every Auburn fan is hoping to land the big one, much like Alabama did with Nick Saban just last year. Early rumors down on the plains have Spurrier targeted as one of the dream picks for the Tigers, and why not?
Despite the fact that two National Championship winning coaches (Steve Spurrier and Lou Holtz) have held the reigns at South Carolina for a combined nine years, the Gamecocks have only met spotty success at best and have failed to establish themselves as an SEC powerhouse.
In Spurrier’s three years at South Carolina, he has failed to win more than eight games and has lost five in each of those three years with the Gamecocks. Auburn can offer a more stable program and a stronger recruiting pool, enabling Spurrier to rise to the top of the football world once again
Odds: 100-1
2. Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons
Ironically, the man at the center of the controversy to replace Tuberville in 2003 is near the top of the list to replace him in 2007. Petrino would be about as close to a dream pick as the Tigers can expect.
He has proven he can coach a team to offensive supremacy, as he did while he was an offensive coordinator at Auburn and head coach at Louisville. With that said, the NFL hasn’t been everything Petrino was hoping for. From losing his starting quarterback before a single snap, to a 3-6 record at the bottom of the NFC South, Petrino has been in better situations.
Much like Spurrier when he was with the Redskins, the question isn’t whether Petrino can coach, but whether the NFL is right for him. If it isn’t, Auburn will gladly take him.
Odds: 50-1
3. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez was near the top of the list when the University of Alabama started their coaching search last year. Rumor had it that he would have accepted the job if it were not for the entire state of West Virginia begging him to stay.
So what's changed after a year?
If the Mountaineers win out and receive no national championship consideration, Rodriguez cannot help but consider moving to a larger and stronger conference. The Big East is getting stronger every year, however, regardless of what anyone says, the Big East still does not get the same consideration that the SEC, Pac 10, Big 10, and Big 12 receive.
It would be a long shot, but Rich Rodriguez might be lured by the high prestige of the SEC.
Odds: 50-1
4. Brian Kelly, Cincinnati
Perhaps one of the more attainable coaches for Auburn, Brian Kelly has had somewhat of a meteoric rise in his coaching career. After winning two NCAA championships with Grand Valley State in 2001-02, he spent three years at Central Michigan, turning a 3-8 program into a 9-4 bowl-bound team before moving to Cincinnati.
This season, Coach Kelly and Cincinnati have exceeded all expectations, leading the Bearcats to an 8-2 record and a No. 21 ranking, including upset wins over No. 21 Rutgers, No. 18 South Florida, and No. 13 Connecticut. Cincinnati has been winning with impressive defense, and Kelly’s defensive prowess makes him a prime candidate for an Auburn team that prides itself on having one of the top defenses in the nation.
Odds: 10-1
5. Jimbo Fisher, Offensive Coordinator, Florida State
Jimbo Fisher has a long history with the state of Alabama. He was the offensive coordinator at Samford University from 1991-92, then moved with Terry Bowden to be the QB coach at Auburn from 1993-98.
After being the quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati during the 1999 season, he was hired as the offensive coordinator at LSU where he eventually helped Nick Saban lead the team to a national championship. Upon the departure of Saban in 2005, he worked for one year under Les Miles until he left to assume the position of offensive coordinator for Florida State.
Fisher was going to be offered the head coaching position at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2005, until the Alabama Board of Trustees, which also governs the University of Alabama, rejected the contract offer, sparking controversy around the state. Many thought the move was rejected so that Saban could offer Fisher the offensive coordinator position at the University of Alabama instead.
Fisher has had success in his coaching career and has shown that he wishes to pursue a head coaching position. He is untested as a head coach, and if Auburn wants to take a chance, Fisher would accept.
Odds: 2-1
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8 months ago
Tuberville is one of best paid coaches in the country and Auburn would have to pay him $6 million to fire him. In other words, Auburn has given him one of the best contracts in the country. The President and Athletic Director that tried to hire Petrino on the sly were shown the door-- Tommy was shown the money. Do folks grumble when you lose to South Florida and Miss. St. when you have superior talent? Sure they do. Especially when they pay you so well. But to say Tommy has been treated badly by Auburn is, frankly, ignorant.
from 8 months ago
Aubrun isn't going to fire Tuberville, and A&M will pay the buyout to his contract when he chooses to leave. Frankly ignorant...are you serious? Have you been living under a rock? Tuberville is paid well, yes, but all the hype floating around about A&M wanting to hire him wouldn't be out there if it was a simple 'no' from Tuberville. Fire him? Read the article with your eyes open before you call someone else ignorant. I never once stated Auburn would fire him. Being treated well isn't always about being paid well. The State of Alabama is one of the worst places to coach, and when AD's fly behind your back to interview someone to replace you on the biggest night of the season (the Iron Bowl) without you even knowing about it...that's certainly not treating someone 'well'.
from 8 months ago
I suppose what I'm trying to say is, Tuberville didn't look at it from the perspective of the Auburn faithful rectifying a mistake, as much as trying to cover their tracks because they couldn't fire him after winning like he did. The president and the AD may be gone, but Bobby Louder is still there, and many would say he's more responsible than the other two put-together.
And besides all that, it's hard to keep a Coach for 10+ years. After a while they want to accomplish other things, move around, change the scenery and accomplish new things. Tuberville's been at Auburn for a while, he's coached at A&M, supposedly has a house there, and has accomplished alot at Auburn. It's going to be hard to keep him in Auburn while a Texas teams with loads of oil money and a change of pace a scenery are waving all that in front of his face. Just as a life-long Auburn fan, I feel that he'll leave. I could be wrong, but I feel it my bones! I think he wants to move on.
from 8 months ago
It is ridiculous to say that it's ignorant to believe that Tommy has been treated poorly. He has not lost a game in the past four or five years that Bobby Lowder has not been callling for his head. Why put up with that kind a bull when you can make more money at a place that does not allow boosters to micromange the program. And for the record Tommy does not have a house in college station but he does have two in auburn plus a farm and lake house. I think he loves Auburn he is just tired of getting no support.
8 months ago
Little man, better develop a thicker skin if you want a career in this.
Read my comment before pissing your pants. The point of the $6 million is not that AU would fire him. That contract was written to tie him to AU and AU to him. He got what he wanted. Doesn't mean he won't leave now, but he was given one of the most secure contracts in the country. And much more control than most coaches.
Tubbs may leave, but it won't be because he has been treated badly lately. AU did him wrong in 2003, and then made it right. If he's still upset over that, he's in the wrong business, too.
You think Texas is an easy place to coach? If Tubbs thinks Alabama is too difficult a place, he should take a job at Duke or just about anywhere but A&M. Those folks are hungry.
If Tubbs still owns a home in Texas from 1994, it's probably a rental he has no desire to live in now as a millionaire. He just finished a 9,000 square foot home in Auburn. He may leave, but why build your dream home right before the season?
He's got plenty to accomplish still at Auburn if he's looking for new accomplishments. One SEC championship in 9 years-- no MNC. Good luck cleaning up after Franchione and rebuilding. He's sitting on major league talent at Auburn. He could win a title with it if coaches well.
from 8 months ago
You do bring up some good points, but I still feel as if he's going to leave (I wouldn't mind being wrong on this one, he's a great coach). And heck, since there is so much talk about it anyway, thought I'd have some fun and bring up who Auburn might be looking to afterwards. Sorry I 'pissed my pants' at you...that could get messy...
8 months ago
I was looking for the topic so I'm glad you wrote on it. Good to see an Auburn man at the Academy. Keep plugging. War Eagle!
from 8 months ago
Hey, thanks for the encouragement! Actually shelled out $250 to go to this year's Iron Bowl...so they better win. War Eagle!
8 months ago
Not only does Tubs have a 6 million dollar buy out, but Franchione has an 8 million dollar buy out. The only reason A&M is complaining about the newsletter Franchione was charging for is they want to claim breach of contract and reduce that 8 million. A&M is willing to pay 2 million, but I suspect that once the lawyers get done he will get more like 5-7 million. So will A&M really be willing to spend 11-13 million just to begin negotiations on Tubbs salary. I'm guessing he would want a bump in pay and that Auburn would be willing to match up to a point. I would suspect that it would cost A&M at least 3.5 per year at a minimum. So a 5 year contract would total about 28 million. over 5 million a year. Even a 7 year contract would cost at least 35 million which would be 5 million a year.
Many of Tubs assistant coaches will will become vested in the Auburn retirement program after another year, Tubbs just finished the mansion mentioned earlier, Tubbs kids are involved in sports at the local schools in Auburn, and his mom lives there. The SEC is a more prestigious conference, Tubbs has built a solid program at Auburn, and he is well liked. The rumor is that Tubbs plans on coaching another 5 years or so. If he stays at Auburn, he has a chance to become one of the most beloved coaches of Auburn and will likly have some huge building with his name enshrined one day. If he leaves for A&M, he would be starting over.
The reason he doesn't say "NO" to A&M is simply that is smart negotiating on his behalf. Everyone would like to make more money and have a longer contract and I suspect that is what Tubbs will get out of Auburn. I really don't see A&M willing to shell out that much money and Tubbs willing to uproot his family and coaching staff to start over.
from 8 months ago
How you're right Brian! Like I said I'm not pulling for him to leave. Plus you guys aren't even focusing on the most fun part of this article...that is to speculate on future Auburn coaches!
Oh I'm kidding, and seriously you guys bring up a lot of good points. Maybe it will happen like you say, maybe not, but for them to put his name out there for their number one candidate, they know what they're getting into. They're not idiots at A&M and if you could figure out how much money it might take...I'm pretty sure they've figured it out too. So we'll just have to wait and see what happens. And if he does leave, well that's what this aticle is about, IF he does leave, what happens next.
8 months ago
The SEC is the pinnacle of what college football is all about, corruption, greed,backstabbing etc... Is this college football or a Telemundo Soap Opera? Since coming to the south I have realized just how disfunctional the SEC fan really is. That said, Auburn fans think they're different from their in state counterparts when really, their both paranoid and never satisfied. Not to mention that their opinion doesn't matter in the slightest due to all of the Boosters with all the money. As the mood of the people with the money goes, so goes the teams.
from 8 months ago
I'm not sure what I did to bring forth the wrath of 'Anonymous' today. Does anyone have the courage to own up to the things they say anymore??? My article was mainly about possible coaches that Auburn could pursue if Tubs leaves, I'm not sure where your hatred for the SEC (and fans that live in the State of Alabama) fits in to this situation, unless you consider it selfish for Auburn to go after the best coach they can get. And never being satisfied? I wouldn't call that a bad thing necesarily. It's what makes the SEC the best conference in the nation, and it is what seperates the Auburn's and the Alabama's from the Mississippi's and...oh, I was going to try to think of another team that isn't very good in the SEC, but I can't. See, the SEC has a chance to qualify 11 of their 12 teams for a bowl this weekend, and I can't seem to recall any conference that even comes close to that mark. But now that you've vented, feel any better?
8 months ago
haha you suck. just kidding. this is amanda. just thought i'd say hello from the computer lab. i just failed an anatomy test haha and i spent a million hours at the health center this morning. OH WELLS. BYE
from 8 months ago
Gosh, I thought you were just another person here to bash my character simply because of an article I've written. What's with the guy above you? My article was what Auburn should do if Tuberville leaves for A&M, but apparently it's ACTUALLY about all those crazy fans from the state of Alabama who are selfish paranoid losers. You'd think other regions never change coaches. And apparently I should stop writing articles about the SEC since my opinion doesn't matter. He must be a Mississippi fan! It's been a while since I've been down to Alabama, you guys have electricity, right???
8 months ago
From the looks of your picture I can assume you follow Air Force. If that's the case then writing about real football must be difficult for you? The academy teams need to be put in with the Ivy league teams. Now there's a level playing field. And don't point out their record this year because every flyboy has their day.
from 8 months ago
Come on man, at least be sure of yourself when you're trying to diss me! Are you asking me if I find it hard to write about Auburn, or telling me that I find it hard? Every flyboy has their day? See, the athletes here can't go and take basket-weaving 101, and in my opinion, the Academies and the Ivy League have some of the only true student-athletes left in college football. As a cadet I can tell you that you know very little about the schedule, the hardships, and the lack of time that every cadet faces in their daily lives, whether an athlete or not.
I'm not sure what the deal is with personal attacks today. Honestly, most of the recent comments have nothing to do with my article in the least. I can respect the fact you might disagree with my opinions on a certain matter, but why continue to attack me on a personal level that has nothing to do with my article?
8 months ago
I don't want to see Tuberville leave - he's really got a lot of class and has instilled it in his players.
If he does decide to leave, can you imagine what Rich Rodriguez could do with Kodi Burns? That could be fun.
from 8 months ago
I agree I'd like to keep him. I hadn't even imagined the combination of Burns and Rodriguez...that's a good point, Robert.
8 months ago
Hall for Heisman!
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