Just hire him already. I guess we didn’t expect him to stay off the radar forever, did we? Tubby’s been busy this week gettin’ his Bowden on with his (somewhat disingenuous) public stumping for the Texas Tech job. This makes how many jobs he’s lusted after this offseason?
At least this one (unlike, say, the Notre Dame position) makes some sense–Tubby’s acumen in unearthing gems in recruiting should be a boon to a Texas-based second-tier program like Tech, and if he’d be smart enough to let that fresh-faced play-caller we saw in the Alamo Bowl run things on offense while he worries about the defense, the Red Raiders could really go places. (Well, go those places more consistently. It’s not like that 2008 season left a whole lot of room for improvement.)
Apparently, someone at Tech might be thinking the same thing:
Several TV stations in Lubbock are reporting former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is interviewing with Texas Tech officials today.
The Red Raiders are in need of a football coach, and Tommy Tuberville wants to coach again. KCBD-TV reported they saw him there. Fox34 has a photo of him to prove it.
Good times; I’d much rather have Tubby busy coaching than predicting three-TD Auburn wins on the road and prostrating himself over whichever BCS job comes open.
But with Noel Mazzone back in the news after rejoining the college coordinating game with Arizona St., PPL looks back at Tubby’s offensive staff and thinks that even if it might be in our best interests (and Tubby’s), it might not be in Tech’s:
That’s what troubles me with the Tubs to Texas Tech rumors. Evan Woodberry wrote a column detailing what Tuberville would have to do to win over the Texas Tech faithful. While I agree in principle, a lot of what he’s asking Tuberville to do is completely unlike the Tuberville we knew at Auburn. He might get a good group of assistants, but that group is going to exclude the best of the BBQ Bunch (Gran) and might include the worst (Ensminger). Also, who’s to say he wouldn’t completely overhaul the coaching staff and offensive identity. Tuberville spent one season with a spread offense and it ultimately cost him his job.
I think PPL is ultimately a little too tough on Tubby and the coordinators who served under him–the “Grim Reaper of College Offenses” is a bit much for the guy who ultimately oversaw the 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005 Auburn offenses–but he’s right that with a coach whose offensive track record is as spotty (shall we say) as Tubby’s is, the Red Raider AD would be well advised to stipulate that Tubby work with the offensive staff that’s already in place.
Elsewhere in the coaching ranks, former Tiger Jimmy Brumbaugh is movin’ on up in the world after a successful stint coaching the d-line at La. Tech. Hopefully we’re still years away from needing a replacement for Tracy Rocker, but whenever that time does come, you have to think Brumbaugh will be one of front-runners for that particular job.
Krootin’. I considered devoting a whole post to the ESPN Under Armour All-American game (which I intended to watch … but back-to-back 9 a.m. kickoffs on New Year’s and the day after? Not happening), but there wasn’t quite as much news to report as Auburn fans might have expected. In terms of commitments’ performance:
— Jake Holland and LaDarius Owens both impressed, with Holland particularly sharp in practice pass coverage.
— Dyer was Dyer.
— Dakota Mosley did get one shout-out here.
— Cody Parkey struggled in the game itself, missing a chip-shot field goal, an extra-point, and a potentially redemptive 47-yarder.
Probably the biggest development of all from the Auburn perspective? Via Beaver via Auburn Eagle, this is South Carolina commit and key Auburn offensive line recruit Eric Mack after the game:
You can also see Mack in a group photo of the Auburn commitments at the game. I hardly think is a guarantee of any kind–it seems likely enough the Auburn commits slapped the hat on him when they realized the cameras were around–but I sure as hell don’t think it’s a bad sign, either. Between this and the upheaval at Carolina’s line coaching position, it sure looks like Auburn’s got a much better shot here than I’d have expected a few months ago.
One final note from the Under Armour game: 2011 quarterback recruit–and early lean to Auburn–Jeff Driskel wound up as the lead story coming out the event’s junior combine.
Alas, it can’t all be good news: D.J. Howard is taking a visit to Clemson this weekend and the local guys at the Anniston Star think he could switch his commitment on the trip. Given that Howard a) is a legit athlete b) committed to Auburn as a safety–a position where Auburn can use all the help it can get–it would be a real blow to a class that frankly has been built up to the point where not much would qualify as a real blow. At the same time, if Clemson’s serious about giving him a shot at running back, you can’t blame him for wanting to grab that opportunity, I don’t think.
Mild rebuttal. I think by now just about everyone here is a regular reader of Andy Bitter, right? So I probably shouldn’t even have to point out that his excellent breakdowns of the Auburn quarterback race and battle to replace Ben Tate are well worth your time. But I do have one minor quibble with his examination of Michael Dyer’s chances to take over the lead role next year, which centers on how last year’s top-ranked RB recruits didn’t exactly set the world on fire:
- No. 1: Bryce Brown, Tennessee: 101 carries, 460 yards, 3 touchdowns, understudy to Montario Hardesty
- No. 2: Trent Richardson, Alabama: 126 carries, 642 yards, 6 touchdowns, understudy to Mark Ingram …
- No. 4: David Wilson, Virginia Tech: 59 carries, 334 yards, 4 touchdowns, understudy to Ryan Williams
The problem with this approach: that’s hardly chopped liver those three guys are playing behind. Hardesty, Ingram, and Williams were three of the best backs in the entire nation and all are headed for huge paydays in the NFL sooner rather than later. For Brown and Richardson (in particular), it speaks to their quality that they were able to “steal” as many carries as they did.
That said, the travails of the No. 3 back (Christine Michael of Texas A&M) and the other listed by Bitter ably support his “don’t put all your 2010 eggs in Dyer’s basket” hypothesis. I agree with Bitter’s ultimate conclusion that Fannin, rather than Dyer, is the most likely candidate to take over Tate’s workhorse role.
But I also have to think that if Dyer is as good as Trent Richardson–a massive talent, I’m sad to say, would have blown up like a poor man’s Adrian Peterson if Ingram hadn’t been in his way–Auburn’s not going to be keep him on the bench nearly so often.
Etc. Bruce Pearl has still got it … Eyes on Auburn reacts to the Outback Bowl … Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation breaks down one of Greg McElroy’s few mistakes in the Iron Bowl … and I don’t know where this is or who took the picture, but a buddy sent me this piece of brilliance and I obviously have to pass it on to you.
Photo via our own Daily Believer.
Jerry, I wonder if a D.J. Howard defection to Clemson results in a Vic Beasley (Clemson) defection to Auburn?
“We’ve run a lot of the spread over the years, and I’m very familiar with it.”
The latest pine box line.
Ears is done. Now if there is a used car business in Lubbock needing a manager, he is definitely your man.
Took me a second but that last picture is gold. Although technically that Nas-tea that comes out of those BK dispensers does not remotely qualify for ice-t status. Totally different food group from actual tea.
I am a good friend of Howards’ principal at Lincoln, and sat with him at a State Playoff game. I wasn’t all that impressed with Howard, and to be honest, the principal didn’t think Howard would stay healthy long enough for major college. If we could get a Vic Beasley out of it, then we win.
And, as far as running back next year, Aycock will be the man. Write it down.
AU99, totally agree.
Mitch, interesting take on Howard, one that disagrees with the stuff coming from the beat writers out there. (And, frankly, with the Auburn staff’s efforts to bring him in.) If he winds up at Auburn, I hope you’re wrong; if he winds up at Clemson, I hope you’re right.
As for Beasley, I don’t think the two would necessarily be related, though Howard’s defection would open up a slot and maybe make it more likely Chizik and Co. would turn up the pressure even more on Beasley. The key thing about Howard is that he’s our highest-ranked safety recruit and one of only two (Demetruce McNeal being the other); if he’s gone, I think they have to find a replacement of some kind.
You may be right about the safety position. He was highly rated. The team that I saw him play against threw one pass the entire game. So, obviously, I watched him mostly at running back.
As usual, WBE, great job!