I am doing what I have never done

[autiger4life 3]

So, I have never been one to go into meltdown mode, but here I come.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are not in top contention for the top talent, especially not like UA, UF, UGA, etc are. We have an unproven coach, we just lost our only tie over coach in Willis, who recruited the Mobile area, which is a pretty important area for us, we don't look to be rebounding.

We are way to excited to have a kid visit with us, instead of sign with us, and I really am not seeing much upside.

Please someone give me an unbiased view of why we are not heading down quickly.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

So, I have never been one to go into meltdown mode, but here I come.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are not in top contention for the top talent, especially not like UA, UF, UGA, etc are. We have an unproven coach, we just lost our only tie over coach in Willis, who recruited the Mobile area, which is a pretty important area for us, we don't look to be rebounding.

We are way to excited to have a kid visit with us, instead of sign with us, and I really am not seeing much upside.

Please someone give me an unbiased view of why we are not heading down quickly.

How I know we aren't going downhill.

1) national signing day has not taken place so we dont know what talent we are or arent getting

2) like you said, Chizik is unproven....you can't determine whether or not he's going uphill or down

3) results are measured on the field and the season has yet to begin

We are sitting on a flat portion on the uphill climb of the mountain. I dont think we'll be able to see if we'll be falling back down or continuing the climb until the start of next years recruiting season, possibly even after signing day. Hopefully we start the climb earlier than anticipated and don't end up falling down the hill.

i'll attempt to draw you a diagram

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---------------------- /

--------------- _*__/

----------- /

---------- /

______/

* = AU football program

I see positive things taking place and there are worse things than losing your LB coach. It hurts, but he is replaceable.

[SouthLink02 8]

It is never as bad as you think it is

It is never as great as you think it is

[JordanHareJake 0]

Please explain how Chizik isn't a proven coach. Maybe you mean he isn't proven in the way that is good yet.

[OldNewby 27]

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are not in top contention for the top talent, especially not like UA, UF, UGA, etc

Add LSU to the list.

And, I don't believe that statement can be limited to 2009 (with a brand new staff).

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

Please explain how Chizik isn't a proven coach. Maybe you mean he isn't proven in the way that is good yet.

ing

in todays coaching market, where assistants are making in some instances over 700k/year...you can't tell me that any coach at Iowa State has a fair chance of being fairly evaluated. Unless they do some serious renovation in football operations there, I would be surprised to see any coach win more than 8 games there during one season in their tenure.

[Tigerguy 1]

No need to blow a gasket yet. Our problems started before CTT left. With only one player in the Senior Bowl, this indicates our recruiting fell off a while ago. Quotes if the paper suggests that the pro scouts didn't bother to come to the Plains this year to look at the talent...it wasn't there.

Now is the time for all good AU fans to pull together. This didn't get broke overnight and we won't fix it overnight either. Bye bye Coach Willis. We didn't need you , but you damn sure needed Auburn !

[au2004ece 30]

Relax, he is just a linebacker coach.

[Guest BoStillKnows]

Relax, he is just a linebacker coach.

Obviously with no class and questionable character.

[AUloggerhead 3,208]

So, I have never been one to go into meltdown mode, but here I come.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are not in top contention for the top talent, especially not like UA, UF, UGA, etc are. We have an unproven coach, we just lost our only tie over coach in Willis, who recruited the Mobile area, which is a pretty important area for us, we don't look to be rebounding.

We are way to excited to have a kid visit with us, instead of sign with us, and I really am not seeing much upside.

Please someone give me an unbiased view of why we are not heading down quickly.

1. Not in contention for top talent. Debatable. AU is coming off its worst season in years. The HC "resigned" as a result, and now we have a (completely) new staff. They're likely not going to get "top" talent the 1st year due to the late start (releative to the other schools.) Give 'em a year or two.

2. We have an unproven coach. Debateable as well. Has there been a coach as ISU who has "proven" himself? The guy is described by his former players as a defensive "genius" and a perfect fit for AU -- good enough for me. Unproven coaches aren't usually recipients of the Frank Broyles Award either. Again, give him a year or two.

3. We just lost our only tie over coach in Willis, who recruited the Mobile area, which is a pretty important area for us.. In making a clean break with the old coaching staff, perhaps it's better to make a complete break. For whatever reason, Willis didn't want to coach here anymore. Yes, he's a good recruiter and he recruited the Mobile area. No, he's not the only good recruiter there is and another coach can pick up the Mobile area. We have an influx of new coaches that have actually broadened AU's traditional recruiting areas into Big 12 territory. Time will tell if it pans out.

4. We don't look to be rebounding. Geez, Chicken Little -- would you settle down & give the staff just a little bit of time to replace the guy. I mean, he only left today. Give Chizik & company some time to prove themselves before you exit like the Wicked Witch of the West.

[Fmnstr 0]

i'll attempt to draw you a diagram

-------------------------/

---------------------- /

--------------- _*__/

----------- /

---------- /

______/

* = AU football program

I see positive things taking place and there are worse things than losing your LB coach. It hurts, but he is replaceable.

hmmm, no. more like:

\---------------------------------------

-\--------------------------------------

--\-------------------------------------

---\------------------------------------

----\-----------------------------------

-----\----------------------------__*___

------\--------------------------/--------

-------\_______________/-------

but you are right. he is definitely replaceable. this is just some low-down, dirty, two-faced, backstabbing, petty, slimeball, two-bit, hateful s***. i was so angry i couldn't speak when i heard the news. i hope he doesn't ever want to come back to his alma mater and be treated with any respect whatsoever.

[autiger4life 3]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

miles is not a world class coach. he has 2 more years maybe 3 on the bayou before he's canned.

Not to take anything away from Gill and his success at UB, but do you think Buffalo could take on a 12-1 Alabama team and win?? nope. They got hammered in their bowl game. Gill will make a good coach in the upper-tier of D-I, but looking back on it, i'm glad he wasnt hired here.

Their wins were UTEP, Army (barely), Temple (barely), Ohio, Miami(OH), Akron (barely), Bowling Green (barely), and Ball State handed them the MAC title.

that's not near the competition ISU faces year in and out. Losses to Pitt, Mizzou, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, UCONN, and Kent State

Iowa State losses, Iowa 17 - 5(#12 Def), UNLV 34-31, Kansas 33 - 35, (im guessing this is where he lost his team), Baylor 10-38, Nebraska 7-35, Texas A&M 35-49, Ok State 17- 59, Colorado 24-28, Mizzou 20-52, K-State 30-38

Wins - SDSU and Kent State (who beat Buffalo)

You can't tell me that any of those teams that beat ISU last year would not have challenged for the MAC championship last year.

Gill was very close to a 4 - 8 season as Chizik was also close to a 6 - 6 season. It's not about being harder to recruit, it's who you have to recruit against and the caliber of athletes you need to obtain. It takes a more superior athlete to win at ISU than it would at Buffalo.

Utah squeeks past a horrid Michigan team to start the season, and plays Oregon State, TCU, and BYU (only respectable teams) and barely beats both TCU and OreSU. They got into rhythm and carried it with them through the Sugar Bowl. Alabama was the better team just not that night which is what matters in the end, however, it does not mean that they are some great power house in D-I football. In 2007, they were 8-4 against a very similar schedule and a bowl win over Navy. 2006, 7-5 with a bowl win over Tulsa (pre gus malzahn), 7-5 in 2005 and a bowl win over GA Tech. Then of course in '04 they were under the leadership of a man named Urban Meyer.

[Tigermike 4,286]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

miles is not a world class coach. he has 2 more years on the bayou before he's canned.

With the talent LSU is signing year after year, Miles may end up staying longer than many think.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

miles is not a world class coach. he has 2 more years on the bayou before he's canned.

With the talent LSU is signing year after year, Miles may end up staying longer than many think.

talent doesnt over-come ineptitude. he's a couple plays lucky in the past of not being fired after this year. talent will only hold him over for so long.

[rtftiger 40]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

miles is not a world class coach. he has 2 more years on the bayou before he's canned.

With the talent LSU is signing year after year, Miles may end up staying longer than many think.

talent doesnt over-come ineptitude. he's a couple plays lucky in the past of not being fired after this year. talent will only hold him over for so long.

As a aTm fan, you should know that talent does overcome ineptitude. It hasn't been Mack Brown who has ha Texas beating aTm for the last ten years.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

miles is not a world class coach. he has 2 more years on the bayou before he's canned.

With the talent LSU is signing year after year, Miles may end up staying longer than many think.

talent doesnt over-come ineptitude. he's a couple plays lucky in the past of not being fired after this year. talent will only hold him over for so long.

As a aTm fan, you should know that talent does overcome ineptitude. It hasn't been Mack Brown who has ha Texas beating aTm for the last ten years.

which would explain 12-7 and 38-30 from 2006 and 2007 and thats with Coach Fran running the show (even more of an idiot than Brown). Those games were like watching morons pound each other in the face for 3 hrs. I get your point, but owning the state of Louisiana in recruiting and Texas are two very different things. You can survive a little bit longer with Texas talent, however, his ineptitude is reflected in the fact that he drops a game that he shouldnt almost every year. He should have lost to tOSU but they gave him that game.

[AUloggerhead 3,208]

I am not worried as much about Willis leaving as I am the overall trend. While there is still plenty of room for Auburn to be absolutely fine, I see no reason to believe it to be true besides I wish it true. We don't have a world class coach, we don't have a world class recruiting class, and we don't have world class current players. We don't have top 4 in the SEC in any of those categories.

Coaches: Miles, Saban, Meyer, Richt

Recruits: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA, UT, OM

Players: LSU, Bama, Florida, UGA

See a trend here? Why does it make logical sense that we would be fine when if we were sitting on the other side of the fence we would be celebrating. Is there a chance we are fine? Sure. Is there much more of a chance we are not? Yes.

As far as no coach doing well at ISU, come on. Gill did well at Buffalo which is harder to turn around than anywhere, Utah beat a 12-1 Alabama, there are plenty of examples of coaches doing well at terrible schools, that is how many coaches rise in the ranks.

Once again, there is a chance we are fine, but if we take off the orange and blue glasses, we wouldn't be so optimistic. Put it this way, if Bama was in our shoes, would you be saying the same thing you are saying now? Be honest.

No orange & blue glasses are on. Anytime a HC change is made, there will be some upheaval associated with recruiting. I don't know of any new coach/staff that can turn it around in 1 year (legally, anyways.) Chizik is certainly included here. I don't expect a top 10 class out of him after less than 2 months on the job. These things take time. Prior to Benedict Arnold switching sides so suddenly, wasn't the consensus on this board that Chizik was assembling a pretty solid staff and would make a more energetic attempt at recruiting than the previous staff? I'm sure I read that. And now that the Quisling Willis has jumped ship, we're supposed to believe the rest of the staff is going to fall apart and everything is hopeless? Sorry to disappoint but I'm not taking that road. The rest of the staff is still as solid as they were before. Ted Roof specialized in coaching LBs before so I don't see that much of a dropoff, coaching-wise. Recruiting may take a bigger hit than that expected from the HC change but then the size of the "hit" is all relative.