AU President praises coaches

[Tigerfan 0]

School president praises coaches

BY CHRISTA TURNER

Staff Writer

Auburn interim president Ed Richardson sent a memo to faculty and staff on Tuesday praising coach Tommy Tuberville , his staff and Auburn players for their 11-0 season.

Richardson didn't limit it to athletic accomplishments alone, pointing out Auburn's displays of sportsmanship and leadership.

"The kind of winning I'm talking about is as much off the field as on," Richardson wrote.

Richardson cited Auburn players kneeling to pray when Georgia receiver Reggie Brown sustained a hard hit and lay on the ground for several minutes.

"This kind of leadership is formed by example and nowhere are there better examples than coach Tommy Tuberville and his outstanding team of coaches," Richardson said. "They are the reason the football team has set aside glory for individual players for the betterment of the 'team.' "

Doctor's report

Former Shaw High standout Antarrious Williams returned from a visit with specialists in Birmingham, Ala., sporting a cast on his left wrist.

Williams, who is out for Saturday's game, dislocated a bone against Georgia. He had surgery on Nov. 18 and missed the Iron Bowl game with Alabama.

Williams admitted he was "a little" bummed out over not playing in the SEC championship game.

"Yeah, but it's fine. I have full confidence in my team," Williams said.

Williams wore a splint originally and said he will wear the cast for two weeks before having his wrist re-evaluated. He hopes to return in time for Auburn's bowl game. This marks the third major injury in Williams' career at Auburn. He previously broke his leg and his left arm.

"I've got the worst luck," he said.

Future plans

Auburn's postseason future will be determined by whether it beats Tennessee on Saturday.

With a win, Auburn plays in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Tigers have a slim shot at playing in the Orange Bowl in Miami for the national championship. If the Tigers lose, they will go to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

Capital One Bowl executives announced Tuesday that they would take Auburn if the Tigers lost to Tennessee or LSU if Auburn wins. Auburn last played in the Capital One Bowl in 2003, beating Penn State.

More commitments

Auburn received its 12th and 13th commitments this week, landing two of the top linebackers in the nation in LaGrange High's Tray Blackmon and Ryan Stamper of First Coast High in Jacksonville, Fla.

Blackmon (6-foot, 200 pounds) is rated the top outside linebacker in the nation. Stamper (6-2, 215) is rated the ninth-best inside linebacker in the country.

[irnimrod 0]

Here is the part of the email about the Auburn coaches that Pres. Rich sent out.

>November 30, 2004

>

>Good morning! Here's a look at what's happening at Auburn:

>

>HEADLINES

>* President reflects on 2004 Auburn Football Team

>* Nominations being accepted for Who's Who Among Students

>* IMG introduces a revolutionary way to teach distance education

>* Museum hosting lecture by AU architecture professor

>* Weaver Lecture to focus on sequestering carbon dioxide

>* AU in the News

>* Calendar of Events

>

>

>FEATURES

>PRESIDENT REFLECTS ON 2004 AUBURN FOOTBALL TEAM

>The Auburn Tigers will meet the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday in the

>SEC Championship game. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT at the Georgia

Dome

>in Atlanta. AU Interim President Ed Richardson offers a moment of

>reflection for the 2004 Tigers squad:

> "With the SEC championship approaching this week, I thought the

>time right to reflect on what the Auburn Tigers 2004 football season

has

>meant to the state, community, the campus, our alumni and fans. With

BCS

>debates ranging far and wide, there's more than enough talk about

number

>of wins versus losses; the kind of winning I'm talking about is as

much

>off the field as on.

> During the Georgia game, when a young man went down hard on the

>field and didn't get up, a large group of Auburn Tigers went onto the

>field and took to a knee, praying for the young man's recovery. The

>sportscasters didn't say much about it, but more than 80,000 fans saw

>it, the Georgia fans were talking about it, and we all learned

something

>about sportsmanship. Time and again, we've witnessed such unity of

>spirit from this winning team, a message that reflects positively on

AU

>tigers.

> This kind of leadership is formed by example, and nowhere are

>there better examples than Coach Tommy Tuberville and his outstanding

>team of coaches. They are the reason the football team has set aside

>glory for individual players for the betterment of "team." There is no

>doubt this season is unique in Auburn's history and will not soon be

>forgotten.

> This dedication has resulted in 14 players who have won or are

on

>the finalist lists for more than 42 individual honors, ranging from

>players of the week to Jim Thorpe and Johnny Unitas awards. Coach

>Tuberville is among the semi-finalists for the George Munger Award,

for

>coach of the year.

> Under his leadership, Auburn football players have the

opportunity

>to provide leadership, not only on the field, but in their daily lives

>as well. I know they will continue their winning ways during their

>careers at Auburn and beyond.

> To Coach Tuberville, all of the coaches and players, we'll never

>forget the example you have set for us this year and for providing an

>unforgettable football season."

>

>War Eagle,

>Ed Richardson

>

[WarDlowe 39]

It's about time Dr. Ed recognized CTT and this team. The week of the Iron Bowl he was on TV saying that "no coach's job is ever really safe, and there's no way to put a good number on an appropriate amount of wins." I'm glad to see him finally giving credit where it's due.

[AU4Ever 0]

It's about time Dr. Ed recognized CTT and this team.  The week of the Iron Bowl he was on TV saying that "no coach's job is ever really safe, and there's no way to put a good number on an appropriate amount of wins."  I'm glad to see him finally giving credit where it's due.

127998[/snapback]

Richardson should single CTT out and tell the world what a job he has done this year amid all the controversy from last year (LouisvilleGate). Evidently the appropriate number of wins is all of them.

[API50 0]

He had a push from some in the Auburn Family to do so. His silence was "deafening". With rumors abound, it was time for him to speak out, and he was encouraged to do so, and so he did.

I really think he just does what he thinks he has to do.

I did like the changes in coaches for the BB and BB teams however.

[tiger88 934]

Gee I thought ed was dead. That is about the only good reason that I can think of for him not being much more supportive of tuberville much sooner this year.