Will Ole Miss Get Tuberville Canned?

As a long time member of the Auburn nation, I’ve seen our good years, and our bad years. This year is a bad one. While I’m not happy with it, I accept that we’re not going to be great every single year. Some of the rumblings that I’m hearing out of Auburn don’t really agree with my sentiments.

While most rank and file Auburn fans are still at least moderately behind Tuberville, I’m hearing that the Board of Directors and the administration are quietly thinking about offering Tubbs a $3,000,000 buyout to resign at the end of the year. One version that I’ve heard hinges on the win or loss of this week’s game to Houston Nutt’s Ole Miss Rebels. While I think that is ridiculous on six or seven levels (either fire the guy for this year’s performance or don’t, one game won’t make a difference) I can see that kind of logic coming from Auburn’s administration, particularly from the Bobby Lowder camp.

Tuberville has brought Auburn to a significantly higher level of play over his ten year tenure, but his absurd loyalty to his Ole Miss staff who transplanted with him has held Auburn back at least four out of those ten years, this year included. For those who are interested, the other years would be 2003, 2005, and 2007. Particularly 2003, as Steven Ensminger’s play calling was just slightly better than handing the playbook to Corky from “Life Goes On”.

Tuberville has given Auburn only one SEC championship, but he also gave us an undefeated 13-0 season. No National Championship, you say? Blame the BCS, not Tubbs. He’s proven that he’s a great coach who has a stunning ability to lay at least one big egg a year to keep Auburn out of the SEC championship (save for 2004). But the question that I’m going to ask Auburn’s Board and the administrators (who I’m assuming read this site for my razor wit and keen insight) is this: Who the hell are you going to replace him with?

Saban’s taken. Spurrier might leave South Carolina, but who would willingly leave a cushy situation to come work for you guys? Muschamp? Try no chance. He’s already dealt with you jackasses once and is unlikely to do so again without some sort of motivation provided by a firearm. What about Lane Kiffin? Nope, he’s looking hard at the Washington job. Bobby Petrino, who you wanted in 2003? Sure, if you want a guy who will bolt by next September when things aren’t running smooth. Okay, let’s try Jim Grobe. He’d love to leave Wake Forest, right? Not if there’s a coordinator position available at Texas…