Sani-Freeze

War Blogle got another one?

Literally the biggest recruit of the Pearl era at AU. Maybe our largest player ever?

My uncle had a rusty old orange Datsun pickup, and he parked it near the oak on the Magnolia side (you could park anywhere in 1989). After the game, I stood in the pickup bed and threw rolls into the tree. If anyone has any pics of the mayhem at Toomers afterward, I would love to see if you can spot his truck.

He passed Sonny tonight.

With the win over St. Louis 11/27, Bruce has pulled even with Sonny Smith for third all time.

I don't know what the strength of schedule was like for Eaves and Sonny, but I don't think Cliff Ellis was actively scheduling competitive out-of-conference matchups like we are now. So you could make the case that Bruce has gotten this many wins faster but also against a tougher field. Of course, Eaves wasn't coaching as many games per season so you have to look more at win % rather than total Ws for comparison. Regardless, it's an incredible feat for Bruce to get to this point so quickly.

Top AU men's basketball coach career win totals: 1. Bruce Pearl in real life: 214-118 wins in 10 seasons (2014-present); .645 2. Joel Eaves: 213-100 in 14 seasons (1949–1963); .681 3. Bruce Pearl officially recognized*: 200-118; .625 3. Cliff Ellis: 186-125 in 10 seasons (1994-2004); .598 4. Sonny Smith: 173-154 in 11 seasons (1978-1989); .529 *The university vacated 12 of the 18 wins from 2016-17 as part of a deal with the NCAA stemming from the Chuck Person issues. Later, there were two additional wins (one each credited to assistants Wes Flanigan and Steven Pearl) that occurred while Bruce was serving the related suspension. So his officially recognized total from the university is 14 fewer than the overall total. https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bruce-pearl/3784 Also worth noting when comparing to other AU coaches - Bruce didn't quite get ten full seasons due to the Covid shutdown in 2020. AU had an experienced team that seemed to be heating up at the right time to win some games in March that year. Bruce has quickly climbed up Auburn's all-time career coaching win list, with a higher win percentage than any other AU coach except Joel Eaves at .681 (aside from a guy named Papke who went 38-18 in the 1920s). Eaves, Pearl and Shug Jordan are the only three AU coaches with winning records against SEC opponents.

Y'all come on and join me in Athens Jan. 4. Tickets are $20 - https://georgiadogs.com/sports/2019/12/20/georgia-bulldogs-tickets

I was told he cussed out Harsin in front of some players. Even if Harsin deserved it, that would get most people fired.

I forgot we had one more loss to go before the off week. Someone please tell me he's gone by next Sunday? Can you imagine being one of the players right now - especially an NFL prospect who is risking injury by continuing to practice and play for this staff?

I feel a little queasy wondering if these really will end up being our options. I just don't think Kiffin is the right guy to come in and galvanize support from the athletic department and boosters the way we will have to do to rebuild. The SEC isn't letting Freeze back in. Grimes has no HC experience. Anyone else have a good write-in?

No Kevin Steele?

Greene didn't hire Bruce

I'll always appreciate the way he stood up for Pearl during the NCAA investigation mess. I don't know all the particulars about the job or how well he did it, but that was reason enough for me to have a favorable opinion of Greene.

True, and part of that is just lack of experience/name recognition. But I have to believe the main issue here is just that Raine is sitting on his hands and letting them struggle because he is mad they hired someone outside his control.

Well, how'd you get that big motor sickle up there on the high dive, Coy? Now Coy, dad blame it, that ain't no way to act

Maybe Traore signed? Saw some rumblings about that but nothing firm

Sorry man - That has to be incredibly tough. Very sobering thought too (Jeff was my age). I'll definitely hug the kids a little tighter tonight.

Just shocking how quickly it went. I don't think I've ever heard of anything like it. Apparently he was ok just 4 weeks ago.

OP updated. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Ben Leard just tweeted a link to the gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-klein-family Text is below: If you have had the unforgettable pleasure of spending time with Jeff & Adrienne, one can bet that you were smiling big or laughing until you cried… you would always leave them with feelings of being uplifted, encouraged, and thankful to call them your friends. More than ever, at this point and time, our friends need your help. For those of you that are not fully aware, Jeff has been admitted to Piedmont hospital in Columbus, GA. Severe back pain led to an MRI that revealed spots on his lower back. Unfortunately, Jeff’s condition has rapidly become more drastic and equally challenging to the doctors since his admittance. There are still a lot of unknowns about future conditions and outcomes at this point. What we do know is that Jeff and Adrienne will have a long, difficult road ahead of them. This road will be paved with an unknown amount of financial hardships and other burdens placed on each family member. We are asking for your help to ease some of these financial hardships to make the other unavoidable burdens less stressful on Adrienne and the rest of the Klein family. Your generosity will go towards unforeseen medical expenses, utilities and groceries for the family, and any other needs for their three boys: Cannon, Coley, & Clayton. At this time, without Jeff teaching in the classroom or coaching on the field, his family will not have a sustainable source of income. We can do what is necessary while Adrienne focuses on this extremely challenging chapter of their lives. We humbly encourage you to do what you can to help support our Coach and his beautiful family. Please continue to pray for Jeff's healing, peace, and understanding in the face of uncertainty in the days ahead. “#9 In Your Programs...#1 In Your Hearts--War Eagle!” -Jeff Klein

From the Caring Bridge site today (4/13) Journal entry by Adrienne Coley Klein — 5 minutes ago Surrounded by his loved ones, at 2:36 pm this afternoon the love of my life was called home. His passing was peaceful and immediately followed the ceasing of life support. After two long and painful days, I finally get to see our precious boys. Please continue to pray the Lord would grant me the words and wisdom on how to talk to my babies about how our lives have been completely changed. Thank you to everyone who has continued to reach out and prayed without ceasing. The outpouring of love and support from loved ones, friends, acquaintances, health care professionals, and even perfect strangers has been an overwhelming blessing. I’m grateful for every single one of you, and every prayer said. Please continue to pray for me, our boys and our families as we attempt to navigate through the heartbreak. I will continue to share updates on his memorial arrangements. Love, ACK ____________________________________________ Update 4/12 (from his wife Adrienne on the Caring Bridge site last night). Just devastating. Words are hard to find at the moment. Jeff had a CT scan this morning with devastating findings. Sometime around 6am this morning he suffered a significant stroke. In addition to mounding pressure and evidence of more bleeds on his brain, his neurological status had been severely damaged and we were told he’d never recover and suffer from a poor quality of life. My world as I know it has been completely shattered. I have never known such heartache and pain. After a few remaining family members arrive from out of town to say their goodbyes tonight and tomorrow; the love of my life, the father of our three beautiful children, will be removed from all forms of life sustaining support. Somewhere between March 13th and April 12th, a once healthy, energetic, and devoted: christian, husband, father, brother, son, teacher, and coach lost his life to two rare conditions/diseases that have yet to be thoroughly diagnosed. Palliative care will be in place to keep Jeff comfortable as the Lord calls him home. (Original post from 4/7) A mutual friend texted me last night - Jeff went into the hospital last week for severe lower back pain, and has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He is currently in the ICU while they await the next steps. He has a wife and three young sons. Please keep them in your prayers. Update - Gofundme link is below to help the family with expenses while he is unable to work: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-klein-family

Shhh, that got Bruce banned from the sport once already...

I think we absolutely need Flanigan to stay, especially with the expected roster turnover that is coming. We just need him to be closer to last year's version and protect the ball. He is an important glue guy that *can* do things when the rest of the offense is stalled. We saw just a tiny glimmer of that in the tournament. As far as the injury goes, I'll admit I don't understand how he was well enough to run and jump (even to play defense at a high level) - but not able to throw good passes. It was sort of like a short stop with the "yips" throwing to first. So that has to improve. But we still need him on the roster.