Okay, her's my take on Tubs and this program. We all know the positives that CTT has established at Auburn with the recruiting, the character, a very good winning percentage (Especially against top 10 opponents) etc. But, as events continue to unfold each week, it's apparent what matters most to the fans, wins and losses. All those positive attributes mean squat when the team is playing like this.
From the perspective of most Auburn fans who follow this program year round and understand the real direction it's heading, it has to be said that this isn't exactly anything new. This program has been on a slow, steady decline since the miracle year of 2004. We got a taste of what is really possible at Auburn but they haven't sniffed of Atlanta since, except maybe in the Peach Bowl. This year will be 4 straight without a conference title and if memory serves me, Auburn's SEC record has declined each year as well. It certainly will this year. Keep this in mind, though. This, along with the current problems with this staff...(Franklin) are issues AUBURN FANS understand. The national media does not and WILL NOT.
Now, I understand the sentiments that come to mind immediately...and I agree. But spare me the "Screw the media" talk. Make no mistake, if we let Tubs go, this program will be CRUCIFIED by the media, both locally and nationally. And they WILL do a lot of damage to Auburn's image and to an extent, credibility. No one outside this family gives a damn about what's going on right now. They know Tommy Tuberville as a successful, well-spoken class act who has been attacked by his own before. And does it not seem that Auburn already has a bulls-eye on it's back whenever any negative issue comes up? Fire a coach who's what...83-35 at Auburn (May be off some) and watch the landslide of negative bullshit that hits the fan. You simply cannot justify from a national standpoint, the firing of CTT. Right or wrong is not the issue there. The media would blow Auburn up.
Okay, but what if they did pull the trigger? What now? Guess who's heading up the search for the man who will lead us back to the promise land? Don't know if they'd leave that to ole' JJ or not, but do the names, Jeff Lebo and Tom Slater mean anything? Do you trust ANYONE at Auburn to find a better coach than CTT right now? I don't.
Now don't get me wrong. My tent is set up just outside of Ogre's camp (Because, I think Ginger's are hot) I really respect what CTT has done for Auburn and the type program he runs. There really is very little to argue with when looking at his overall record. But, I've been wary of the slow decline this program has been on since 04' and now, I'm like a lot of people in fearing the next few weeks are quite possibly going to be some of the darkest at Auburn in a while. Not just in wins and losses but the overall damage that will be done to recruiting, the chemistry of the team and staff, the bickering by fans and the certain in-fighting of our Trustees and people in administration, It could get REAL ugly. (Wins against Arky and West Va. would turn some of that around)
Ultimately, here's what I'd like to see. Get through this season with minimal damage and casualties. A clean house at season's end with the "Choice" being made by Tommy Tuberville to move on. Work whatever deal behind the scenes to make it happen but do NOT have Auburn painted as the bad guy. There is no positive in the forseeable future in firing Tommy Tuberville.
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