Brent Venables on why he passed on the AU job...

[steeleagle 2,945]

Ofc OK was a perfect easy fit for him. he was there for 11 years and knows their coaching administrative culture and would be more comfortable there than at AU. 

Not sure why he brought up us from his daughter. 
 

my thinking is he is the kind of coach that has to be totally comfortable with the ‘structure’ and that is why he turned down so many offers in the past inc Auburn. 
 

OK was probably one of the few places he knew well. 

[woodford 3,678]

10 hours ago, BizTiger said:

He did us a solid IMO. Hopefully it resonates with people who need to back off

Agreed. Wish him or anyone coach that’s been targeted would come out and say “Look, Auburn is a great opportunity, but the micromanaging culture is an issue when trying to run a program. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that environment.”

[Strychnine 1,804]

1 hour ago, woodford said:

Agreed. Wish him or anyone coach that’s been targeted would come out and say “Look, Auburn is a great opportunity, but the micromanaging culture is an issue when trying to run a program. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that environment.”

 

Saying that publicly would be a quick way for a coach to find a lot of doors closed in their face.

[woodford 3,678]

27 minutes ago, Strychnine said:

 

Saying that publicly would be a quick way for a coach to find a lot of doors closed in their face.

Maybe. Could open up others. 

[abw0004 10,134]

2 hours ago, steeleagle said:

Ofc OK was a perfect easy fit for him. he was there for 11 years and knows their coaching administrative culture and would be more comfortable there than at AU. 

Not sure why he brought up us from his daughter. 
 

my thinking is he is the kind of coach that has to be totally comfortable with the ‘structure’ and that is why he turned down so many offers in the past inc Auburn. 
 

OK was probably one of the few places he knew well. 

From what Golf said, he was never offered from Auburn.  Was the 4th choice, if that.  Too much baggage and Fredst alluded to it

[fredst 9,064]

3 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

From what Golf said, he was never offered from Auburn.  Was the 4th choice, if that.  Too much baggage and Fredst alluded to it

Exactly. Many of these guys that “turned Auburn down” were never offered or were never even viable candidates. That’s why, just once at least, when these absurd narratives start getting floated in the media (not just message board BS) I wish Auburn would go on the offensive. I understand why we don’t and most likely never will but it would be fun to watch just once- particularly in this case when it was kind of a gratuitous, unnecessary shot at AU

[AUght2win 6,883]

5 hours ago, jAUSon said:

Not evidence

Wtf do you mean? The only evidence that exists is what the man voluntarily presented. It isn't like he was accused of being scared or even asked about the Auburn job. 

"That's not what Venables meant by what he said, even though he said it uncoerced and then thoroughly explained what he meant."

[JuscAUse! 1,499]

3 hours ago, Chaotic_zx said:

Saban at the time was hardly a generational coach. He was a great recruiter that had won one championship and was about to be a NFL washout. He lost his greatest edge going to the NFL which is recruiting. 

 

Look at LSU and USCw. They swung for the fences and connected. It may work out and it may not but at least they are trying to do what it takes to win and I can see why they did it. Auburn can't hire Art Briles, Dan Mullen, Venables or anyone with a checkered past because God forbid that the media criticize Auburn for the hire. I don't even think Briles or Mullen would be a good hire but that isn't my point. Auburn swung for the fences with Bruce Pearl. Auburn hit a homerun with the hire. I can't fathom why Auburn refuses to do it in football. Putting egos before the welfare of the program. Undermining from the outset. 

Question: Would Brian Kelly leave Notre Dame for Auburn? Not a chance.

Question: Would Lincoln Riley leave Oklahoma for Auburn? Not a chance. 

Question: Would Brent Vanables leave the DC position at Clemson for Auburn? Nope.

Question: Would Gary Patterson have left TCU for Auburn? Nope x 2.

Question: Would Mario Cristobal leave Oregon for Auburn? Nope.

 

Whether you like or dislike any of the people involved in the questions is irrelevant. What is relevant are the answers. The answers are all the same and point to the problem. Failure by the power brokers of Auburn football to attract top level talented coaches. Either by incompetence or malice. Auburn has a reputation and the coaching world is small. People talk and while I don't know what is being said, it is undoubtedly negative toward the power brokers at Auburn. We all accept it or bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best. 

 

As for my answer. I don't have one. If you held my feet to the fire I'd say Luke Fickell. As for me. I'm going to support Bryan Harsin until he proves I shouldn't. I'm not thrilled with 6-6 and nobody should be. But he fits the criteria for the only thing I had to have this season. That is not being Malzahn. 

I see your point, and agree to an extent. But far from JABA as the only cause of coaches not being interested, you're ignoring the elephant in the room. Or in this case, the state (pun intended). Riley may very well have decided to go west because uat is not there, and Mario went to Miami, also not in the SEC or in the stronger conference of the ACC. 

I totally agree with your thoughts on Harsin, and I'll support him as long as he's the coach at AU. Unless and until he has a Gus vs uga game with Sean White. 

I do think Cristobal was all but signed when circumstances got in the way, but he'd probably have jumped to the U anyway so that probably worked out OK. 

 

[JuscAUse! 1,499]

3 hours ago, woodford said:

Agreed. Wish him or anyone coach that’s been targeted would come out and say “Look, Auburn is a great opportunity, but the micromanaging culture is an issue when trying to run a program. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that environment.”

But he could balance the culture with the loving, balanced, positive, and forgiving fan base here at AU.

😉

 

 

[jAUSon 2,836]

7 hours ago, AUght2win said:

Wtf do you mean? The only evidence that exists is what the man voluntarily presented. It isn't like he was accused of being scared or even asked about the Auburn job. 

"That's not what Venables meant by what he said, even though he said it uncoerced and then thoroughly explained what he meant."

This is wtf I mean right here take your meds

[AUght2win 6,883]

31 minutes ago, jAUSon said:

This is wtf I mean right here take your meds

The lengths of denial. Some of you guys seriously worry me.

[Chaotic_zx 1,047]

11 hours ago, JuscAUse! said:

I see your point, and agree to an extent. But far from JABA as the only cause of coaches not being interested, you're ignoring the elephant in the room. Or in this case, the state (pun intended). Riley may very well have decided to go west because uat is not there, and Mario went to Miami, also not in the SEC or in the stronger conference of the ACC. 

I totally agree with your thoughts on Harsin, and I'll support him as long as he's the coach at AU. Unless and until he has a Gus vs uga game with Sean White. 

I do think Cristobal was all but signed when circumstances got in the way, but he'd probably have jumped to the U anyway so that probably worked out OK. 

 

That very well could have played a role in this with Riley so I see your point. I feel Cristobal was almost a go until someone leaked(from the Auburn side) it to put pressure on him. Again with undermining as whomever leaked it didn't want Cristobal or didn't want to pay the buyout. You have kind of added to my point about Cristobal. The fact that Auburn fans think that Cristobal would jump to Miami or Smart would've jumped to UGA only furthers my point. There are people thinking Harsin would've jumped to Washington. There are people thinking Harsin will jump to go to Oregon. Auburn shouldn't have to worry about losing a coach to UGA, Washington, Oregon, Miami, or Arkansas. Auburn power brokers are the reason it is a possibility. 

While fully supporting Harsin, one has to question the decision to put Bo back into the game with a broken ankle. Was that his Sean White moment? Supporting Harsin doesn't mean he is above reproach. I want better for Auburn. I want Harsin to lead to that better. If he can't lead to that better, pay him off and fire him. Then go get that person.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Chaotic_zx

[Hay Field 101 632]

18 hours ago, Strychnine said:

 

Saying that publicly would be a quick way for a coach to find a lot of doors closed in their face.

You know that's a crying shame these days. When a man is upfront and just straight forward honest he gets penalized for it. 

[AUApostle 7,663]

10 hours ago, jAUSon said:

This is wtf I mean right here take your meds

This is a compelling exhibit.  I'd have cleaned up the arrow a bit, but the rest is quality.

[JuscAUse! 1,499]

9 hours ago, Chaotic_zx said:

That very well could have played a role in this with Riley so I see your point. I feel Cristobal was almost a go until someone leaked(from the Auburn side) it to put pressure on him. Again with undermining as whomever leaked it didn't want Cristobal or didn't want to pay the buyout. You have kind of added to my point about Cristobal. The fact that Auburn fans think that Cristobal would jump to Miami or Smart would've jumped to UGA only furthers my point. There are people thinking Harsin would've jumped to Washington. There are people thinking Harsin will jump to go to Oregon. Auburn shouldn't have to worry about losing a coach to UGA, Washington, Oregon, Miami, or Arkansas. Auburn power brokers are the reason it is a possibility. 

While fully supporting Harsin, one has to question the decision to put Bo back into the game with a broken ankle. Was that his Sean White moment? Supporting Harsin doesn't mean he is above reproach. I want better for Auburn. I want Harsin to lead to that better. If he can't lead to that better, pay him off and fire him. Then go get that person.

Yeah. Fire him after one season. That'll make it much easier to get a top tier coach. I have no idea if Harsin is the answer at AU. But nobody on the sideline  put Bo back in the game knowing he had a broken leg. You make some good points but that's a BS take on our coaches and team medical staff. If you believe what you said, you are horribly misinformed at best. 

[BizTiger 242]

On 12/7/2021 at 9:30 AM, Chaotic_zx said:

Saban at the time was hardly a generational coach. He was a great recruiter that had won one championship and was about to be a NFL washout. He lost his greatest edge going to the NFL which is recruiting. 

 

Look at LSU and USCw. They swung for the fences and connected. It may work out and it may not but at least they are trying to do what it takes to win and I can see why they did it. Auburn can't hire Art Briles, Dan Mullen, Venables or anyone with a checkered past because God forbid that the media criticize Auburn for the hire. I don't even think Briles or Mullen would be a good hire but that isn't my point. Auburn swung for the fences with Bruce Pearl. Auburn hit a homerun with the hire. I can't fathom why Auburn refuses to do it in football. Putting egos before the welfare of the program. Undermining from the outset. 

Question: Would Brian Kelly leave Notre Dame for Auburn? Not a chance.

Question: Would Lincoln Riley leave Oklahoma for Auburn? Not a chance. 

Question: Would Brent Vanables leave the DC position at Clemson for Auburn? Nope.

Question: Would Gary Patterson have left TCU for Auburn? Nope x 2.

Question: Would Mario Cristobal leave Oregon for Auburn? Nope.

 

Whether you like or dislike any of the people involved in the questions is irrelevant. What is relevant are the answers. The answers are all the same and point to the problem. Failure by the power brokers of Auburn football to attract top level talented coaches. Either by incompetence or malice. Auburn has a reputation and the coaching world is small. People talk and while I don't know what is being said, it is undoubtedly negative toward the power brokers at Auburn. We all accept it or bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best. 

 

As for my answer. I don't have one. If you held my feet to the fire I'd say Luke Fickell. As for me. I'm going to support Bryan Harsin until he proves I shouldn't. I'm not thrilled with 6-6 and nobody should be. But he fits the criteria for the only thing I had to have this season. That is not being Malzahn. 

Agree 100%

Will also add that Harsin has nearly the same pre-Auburn win % that Urban Meyer had pre-Florida (74% for Harsin, 76% for Meyer). If Harsin ends up flaming out at Auburn, Auburn people need to look within themselves instead of just blaming Harsin. 

We have issues that a lot of us simply don't want to address. 

 

[PowerOfDixieland 3,226]

Re-emphasizing what Venables really needed in terms of alignment.  No decision making or leadership skills required.  Just do as your told......

On Tuesday, it was reported Venables' two most important hires -- his offensive coordinator and his strength coach -- will be former Sooners: Jeff Lebby and Jerry Schmidt. (FootballScoop can confirm Lebby's hiring.)

Here is Oklahoma's coaching staff as it stands today:

Head coach: Brent Venables (OU assistant coach, 1999-2011)
Offensive coordinator/QBs: Jeff Lebby (OU student assistant, 2002-06)
Running backs: DeMarco Murray (OU RB, 2006-10)
Co-OC/Inside receivers: Cale Gundy (OU QB, 1990-93; OU assistant, 1999-present)
Tight ends: Joe Jon Finley (OU TE, 2004-07)
Co-OC/Offensive line: Bill Bedenbaugh (OU assistant, 2013-present)

Defensive coordinator: TBD
Inside linebackers: Brian Odom (OU LB, 2000-01)
Defensive line: Calvin Thibodeaux (OU DL, 2002-06)
Defensive backs: TBD
Special teams: TBD

Head strength coach: Jerry Schmidt (OU strength coach, 1999-2017)

 

 

 

[DAG 34,035]

I think this is a great hire from OU. I am also bias to Defensive minded coaches. I believe he will have a profound structure and bring mental/physical toughness that OU has been lacking in the past. Another great addition to the SEC.

[Chaotic_zx 1,047]

8 hours ago, JuscAUse! said:

Yeah. Fire him after one season. That'll make it much easier to get a top tier coach. I have no idea if Harsin is the answer at AU. But nobody on the sideline  put Bo back in the game knowing he had a broken leg. You make some good points but that's a BS take on our coaches and team medical staff. If you believe what you said, you are horribly misinformed at best. 

At no point did ever say fire Harsin after 1 season. You misunderstood. Further, I asked if putting Bo back into the game with a broken ankle was this staff's Sean White moment. It doesn't matter if they knew it was broken. They knew he was hurt. No matter how much you state that it was misinformed, they should be questioned for that decision. 

 

Edited to add: Auburn isn't going to hire a top tier coach regardless. So if Auburn is stupid enough to fire a first year head coach, it wouldn't change who they would go after. Just the timing.

Edited December 9, 2021 by Chaotic_zx

[JuscAUse! 1,499]

11 minutes ago, Chaotic_zx said:

At no point did ever say fire Harsin after 1 season. You misunderstood. Further, I asked if putting Bo back into the game with a broken ankle was this staff's Sean White moment. It doesn't matter if they knew it was broken. They knew he was hurt. No matter how much you state that it was misinformed, they should be questioned for that decision. 

 

Edited to add: Auburn isn't going to hire a top tier coach regardless. So if Auburn is stupid enough to fire a first year head coach, it wouldn't change who they would go after. Just the timing.

In my defense, you said 'with a broken ankle' so there's that. A better argument might have been TJ in the bama game. I have no problem questioning the staff. Trust me, I couldn't believe the Miss. State game, South Carolina, and Bama outcomes. On the other hand, the OC was fired, and I feel that was the correct call. If the coach was a hands off type, he did what he was supposed to do. On the other hand, Bo has been hobbled and recovered in games before. TJ was on one leg for a long time. That was never mentioned by you, and bammers love the 'Harsin put Bo back in with a broke leg just to win the game' crap. That's what confused me in your argument. But no. Bo had a hurt leg. AU could have had White hand the ball to the running back 76 times and won that game against Georgia. Apples and oranges. 

 

[BizTiger 242]

1 hour ago, PowerOfDixieland said:

Re-emphasizing what Venables really needed in terms of alignment.  No decision making or leadership skills required.  Just do as your told......

On Tuesday, it was reported Venables' two most important hires -- his offensive coordinator and his strength coach -- will be former Sooners: Jeff Lebby and Jerry Schmidt. (FootballScoop can confirm Lebby's hiring.)

Here is Oklahoma's coaching staff as it stands today:

Head coach: Brent Venables (OU assistant coach, 1999-2011)
Offensive coordinator/QBs: Jeff Lebby (OU student assistant, 2002-06)
Running backs: DeMarco Murray (OU RB, 2006-10)
Co-OC/Inside receivers: Cale Gundy (OU QB, 1990-93; OU assistant, 1999-present)
Tight ends: Joe Jon Finley (OU TE, 2004-07)
Co-OC/Offensive line: Bill Bedenbaugh (OU assistant, 2013-present)

Defensive coordinator: TBD
Inside linebackers: Brian Odom (OU LB, 2000-01)
Defensive line: Calvin Thibodeaux (OU DL, 2002-06)
Defensive backs: TBD
Special teams: TBD

Head strength coach: Jerry Schmidt (OU strength coach, 1999-2017)

 

 

 

Venables was previously at OU so no surprise there

[woodford 3,678]

1 hour ago, DAG said:

I think this is a great hire from OU. I am also bias to Defensive minded coaches. I believe he will have a profound structure and bring mental/physical toughness that OU has been lacking in the past. Another great addition to the SEC.

If he sticks around I think I'm more worried about OU than I was earlier this year and I have been wary of UT and OU this whole time. I don't think it's good for Auburn at all.

[PowerOfDixieland 3,226]

12 hours ago, BizTiger said:

Venables was previously at OU so no surprise there

Which is my point. 

Ever wonder why "The Greatest That Never Was" wasn't even a bump in the road for OU?  That program is locked down from the inside.  Think SMU pre-Sean Stopperich, PSU pre-Mike McQueary, Auburn pre-Eric Ramsey.  If Barry Switzer is the blueprint then Brent Venables fits the mold.

[AU_Canoe 236]

If I was a coach that had any doubt in myself I wouldn't come to Auburn. AU has to be one of the toughest jobs out there for the many reasons stated in this thread, i.e., internal dynamics, expectations, competition, etc. Hopefully, AU's HC job posting stated "hard headed with a strong constitution". 

Whenever Saban retires or becomes some type of consultant or executive AD for UA... so the "process" can continue, I would imagine the crown for the toughest job in America will be transferred across the state, i.e., internal dynamics, expectations, competition, etc. 

 

Edited December 9, 2021 by AU_Canoe

[McLoofus 35,182]

27 minutes ago, AU_Canoe said:

If I was a coach that had any doubt in myself I wouldn't come to Auburn. AU has to be one of the toughest jobs out there for the many reasons stated in this thread, i.e., internal dynamics, expectations, competition, etc. Hopefully, AU's HC job posting stated "hard headed with a strong constitution". 

Whenever Saban retires or becomes some type of consultant or executive AD for UA... so the "process" can continue, I would imagine the crown for the toughest job in America will be transferred across the state, i.e., internal dynamics, expectations, competition, etc. 

There are several schools doing less with equal resources, doing about the same with far superior resources, or- in Texas's case- doing worse with vastly superior resources. Clemson is the only school to have done meaningfully better with comparable resources. Only a handful of programs have gotten close with inferior resources, and none of them have been able to sustain it.

I don't think our internal dynamics are that much worse than most other big schools that are trying to be relevant in football. Plus, that tough schedule affords us elite visibility and we're situated in- by far- the richest recruiting territory in the country. We don't have Texas or Ohio State resources but we're on the next tier. 

You're right, a coach with self doubt won't cut it here, but a coach with self doubt isn't going to cut it in big time sports, period. 

We're a school where Terry Bowden, Tommy Tuberville and Gene Chizik can go undefeated. Where Pat Dye and Gus Malzahn can win SEC championships and have national championship-caliber seasons. We shouldn't ever lose sight of that.