AUgrad97

Yes. I understand exactly how much big donors are worth. My point was that when you make 10 MM a year and are worth 100MM-200MM+ yourself you are not in awe of 500+. It’s changed from 25 years ago significantly.

This use to be the case but not so much anymore. The salaries of todays top coaches puts them in a similar league to many of the big donors. When a coach is making 7-10MM a year they tend not to take too much outside advice. there was a time that worked. The game behind the game has changed. Show me a school where the head coach is in full control and you will see a successful program. Time to wake up and understand the game has changed before the hole is dug so deep you never recover.

There in lies the issue. The leadership has to get the money 👍🏼 Before they make a decision. And the only way the money is ALL IN is if they will continue to have influence. Unfortunately, Auburns debt to coaches that are no longer on staff is larger than any school in the nation. Someone has to pay that bill. Those someone’s have leverage to stay in power as long as that debt exits. Unless a new bank account comes on board or the leadership stands up to the old school nothing will change. Someone has to stand up and do the right thing for the long term success of the program.

Let’s meet at Sonic and I will spill the tea🤣🤣🤣

Most have been named in the thread. 👍🏼

🙊

Haha. Not the type of “player” I was referring but that’s funny. 🤣

Yes. I am kind of lost how this one could have slipped through the cracks with no inside leverage. Would love to know how that happened and why some believe so.

You left out a couple. Miles, Meyer, Chizik (I had too!!!) All with Titles. Could be a couple others…😉

Don’t think for a second Harsin was not backed by a major “player”. I will just leave it at that.

Ran into an old acquaintance today at a business luncheon in Bham and got some very interesting information that confirms my theory on the power structure within the program. This individual was a top 5 “supporter” of the program in the 90s. He is no longer on that level today but he knows everyone inside the power grab. Some of you who may have some connections or network at Auburn may can connect some dots. First, I think we all can agree Auburn has made some head scratching hires the last 15+ years but it was not because some big names were not interested. At least 3 elite top 10 coaches reached out during the last three hirings and expressed their interest in the opening. All three had the same concern of the rumored power struggle outside the locker room. The names I heard would shock some here, unfortunately for the program they were all told there was a set way Auburn did things and that system was not going to change anytime soon. Obviously, all passed on the opening. One of which was a active NFL coach at the time, played for a title and would have been a recruiting giant. Fast forward to this week. Auburn was contacted after the game Saturday and informed two very prominent coaches had an interest if they were looking to make any changes. One is active today as a head coach and one has been a head coach and currently weighing his options. Either one of these would immediately put us back in the conversation and solve our recruiting struggles. Both expressed they would only be interested if they garnered exclusive decisions making for the program and were guaranteed 5+ years. Of course there is no opening today and no formal search committee but there is big time interest from some home run hires already at week 4. I was told, if Auburn looks to make a change this year, we will know buy the next hire if the leadership has finally decided to break the system and go a different direction or if the good ole boy network stayed in place and they select another middle tier coach with some potential or limited success and extra baggage to come on board. I guess we will see how things play out.

I live a mile from the school and attend every game and can confirm this as TRUE!

Now I know your an actual alumni and not sidewalk fan. 🤣

Builder Disciplinarian Personality CEO Mindset Loyalty You give me those 4 and I think we can build around that for success!

A bad loss and it could happen overnight. A losing season and it will happen before 2023. If he can somehow grab lightning in a bottle and turn things around with pixie dust and smoke and mirrors to finish with 9 wins he could earn himself 1 more year.

I definitely can see where you are coming from with this take. But I still there there are coaches who would give their soul to coach Auburn and lead a group of young men to develop character on their way to winning lots of games. Maybe I am living in a fantasy world.

I would say, YES. That's why the cycle keeps going with no long term improvement in the last 20+ years. Think about it. Do you think it's not this bad?

What are the top reasons a player picks a school? Early Playing Time Personal Development for the Pros Championship Contender Head Coach or Position Coach Geographic Location/Facilities Right now today Auburn only can truly offer #1 as a highlight of why to pick Auburn. I personally feel like 1, 2 and 3 are what kids have to be sold to come on board if they have lots of options. So for #2 to happen there has to be a high talent ceiling and the right scheme and coaches to develop. #3 is going to be more important to your true Alpha Dogs. The ones that are not afraid to compete for their position. But they are generally the best of the best and have the right kind of attitude for leadership and success. Does one of those even exist on the team today?? We have some very talented players but who is also an Alpha leader and guys want to follow them?

I think we might could dig hard and it would be very difficult to find a coach with any significant length of coaching not have some complaints along the way. We are definitely transitioning from the old school mindset to this more soft new age fluff. It's not my thing. Don't get me wrong. I am not a tear the paint off the wall swear supporter by any means but being held accountable with firm leadership seems to be slipping away in all areas of life. Not sure why, but I always really liked Gary. I think Pat would be a quicker fix because of his offense mindset but I think Auburn needs someone willing to give 5-10 years of themselves and who wont jump ship just because their stock rises. That goes back to them having to likely have some Auburn blood. There needs to be some intangibles outside of money to keep them loyal. That points to character, 2nd chance on life or alumni as the focus areas. Is there any ex players that could come in and command respect and be able to recruit who could surround themselves with loads of talented position coaches and coordinators. They could just focus on managing the program and not be a proven commodity as a coach. Interesting to think back on past players and who might could move the needle.

I know this may sound like a crazy question on the surface, but I am curious to hear others thoughts on the direction of the program and how long term success is achieved. There have been several names tossed around and recommended as a solution to the current program and leadership of the team. Some of these names come with elite talent but they also come with some significant baggage. If you stopped the emotional response of "we have to win today" and went with a more logical long term solution, I am curious if that would change minds about the kind of leader we should be going after. Do we want someone who is a flashy name and immediate program impact? Do we want someone who we fell like will have no loyalty at the end of the day and jump at the next best thing to come along? Do we want someone during a time of needing stability, strength and respect who brings a lot of baggage that does not reflect those key needs? Are you willing to lower your flash and immediate impact wants for someone you can TRUST to build a program for the long haul? List your top Flashy Impact Hire and your top Long Term High Integrity Choice. I will start with mine... Flash Hire- Lane Kiffin (Will recruit well, will build a dynamic offense, will develop QBs, will be an immediate impact to the program) Integrity Hire-Pat Fitzgerald or Gary Patterson (Both have proven that loyalty and dedication are at their core. They bring a little different perspective but they both have been successful with limited resources. They have established recruiting history and command a lot of respect among other coaches around the country.

I believe there are a lot of good choices out there that would be interested in a no-handcuffs opportunity. I keep saying and I know it's beating a dead horse but the Who is not the critical piece here. It's reprograming the internal structure and power grab to be able to hand that over to a trusted coach. Auburn has to be able to convince the right coach they will be given the keys and fuel to the car without having it pre-programmed where the car is going. That's not a flashy discussion and even more challenging to impact as a fanbase, but without that piece, the who does not matter. We will be set up to fail again. We need to hear the leadership say we are going in a different direction philosophy wise and structure to let someone have full control of the program and the team.

Let's just say that he has made some questionable choices since coming to the Plains. Some of those start in the locker room. It's one thing to be the Alpha. But it's not a good look when a large portion of the "Betas" follow another leader. I am not going to beat up Harsin. I think he is a very good coach. I think he has a lot of great qualities. I just never thought he was a good fit for Auburn. Too rough around the edges for what I think was needed at the time.

I hope this does not come off the wrong way. But if Harsin has any chance of staying he does not need to coach in fear. He has had all spring, summer and fall to find out who can do what. Here we are heading to game 4 and we still don't know. He still doesn't know. Sure he can play it safe this week and rotate TJ and Ashford and pull off a win 27-16. What does that actually accomplish for heading into a game with LSU and we want even discuss UGA. Time to take of the training wheels and do what he is paid millions to do and find the leaders, find the stars and motivate them to perform. That doesn't happen if he is tip toeing around making a mistake or just trying to get a win against an opponent that is much less talented.

I would argue he likes two of those qualities in our league. Recruiting which is at the utmost level of importance today and commanding attention. It's one thing to yell loud and come across as intense. But its completely different to have people respect you and follow your lead. Harsin has made more than his fair share of mistakes in just a little over a year. Some of which don't make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside when it comes to good moral, ethical and strong leadership characteristics.

I personally feel like we need to use this game to explore what we do have. Whether its Ashford or its Calzada behind center. Put together a balanced plan for this week and let those two guys loose to perform. Ashford needs calls that allow him to use his feet but keeps us pushing the ball downfield. If Calzada is healthy enough to play, then put him in and open things up. We need the defense to step up and show some fire. There is no excuse for not going all out with effort and intensity.