Why would Willis want to hurt Auburn?

[rtftiger 40]

Okay, I continually hear TitanTiger and others talk about Willis as a backstabber, traitor, etc. There is speculation that he was intentionally trying to hurt Auburn.

Why would he want to hurt Auburn? (This is where I step in it.) I find it very hard to believe that he would do what he has done without there being some impetus. Most everyone seems to believe that he made the decision in a vacuum without cause from outside circumstance. That is naive and shortsighted.

Could it be that he really felt wronged? Could it be that expectations were not met? Could it be that promises were not kept? Could it be that he really was doing what was best for his family and career?

From many, CGC has gotten a pass since day one. Losing recruits the Mississippi schools is one thing. Losing star coaches who graduated from Auburn to Alabama is quite different.

Some have said, "it's only a linebackers coach." We all know that is just spin. Willis and Chizik (1) are the only two people on staff who have recruited people to Auburn successfully. Trooper Taylor might be great, but I don't think that he has claimed his first commitment for Auburn.

[metafour 5,776]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

[AUdrew1 3]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

you are absolutely right!

[jw 4 au 546]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

you are absolutely right!

When though, in 5 or 6 years?

[rtftiger 40]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

Do you see Muschamp getting the Texas gig before 2012? If so, I'd be surprised. If not, I would have rather he stayed for the three years to help Auburn than coach for Alabama. A lot can happen in three years.

[AUdrew1 3]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

you are absolutely right!

When though, in 5 or 6 years?

you never know he may not be the head coach at texas but he will be a head coach soon. and James and Boom are tight!

[metafour 5,776]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

Do you see Muschamp getting the Texas gig before 2012? If so, I'd be surprised. If not, I would have rather he stayed for the three years to help Auburn than coach for Alabama. A lot can happen in three years.

I could see it...I could even see Texas pushing Mack Brown out the door if he decides to stay longer than expected. Willis isn't going to be accepted at Bama and he's going to find that Saban works his coaches harder than anyone in the country.

[autigeremt 7,537]

Okay, I continually hear PT and others talk about Willis as a backstabber, traitor, etc. There is speculation that he was intentionally trying to hurt Auburn.

Why would he want to hurt Auburn? (This is where I step in it.) I find it very hard to believe that he would do what he has done without there being some impetus. Most everyone seems to believe that he made the decision in a vacuum without cause from outside circumstance. That is naive and shortsighted.

Could it be that he really felt wronged? Could it be that expectations were not met? Could it be that promises were not kept? Could it be that he really was doing what was best for his family and career?

From many, CGC has gotten a pass since day one. Losing recruits the Mississippi schools is one thing. Losing star coaches who graduated from Auburn to Alabama is quite different.

Some have said, "it's only a linebackers coach." We all know that is just spin. Willis and Chizik (1) are the only two people on staff who have recruited people to Auburn successfully. Trooper Taylor might be great, but I don't think that he has claimed his first commitment for Auburn.

CGC gettting a pass?????? WHAT? I don't think so! Do you think selling your soul to the devil is warranted at any time in your life? There are some things you do not do, and Willis to Alabama is a sell out. If he had went to another school, it would have been a totally different matter. But he went to BAMA, and he did it two weeks prior to signing day. He could have told Saban "Hey, give me until Feb. 5th, and I will let you know then". Instead, he took a chance to give Auburn the finger, and for that....he can kiss my ass!

[AUdrew1 3]

I think there is definitely something that went on here, but honestly, I really dont care that much right now.

Willis will bolt for Texas the second Muschamp gets the HC job BTW.

Do you see Muschamp getting the Texas gig before 2012? If so, I'd be surprised. If not, I would have rather he stayed for the three years to help Auburn than coach for Alabama. A lot can happen in three years.

I could see it...I could even see Texas pushing Mack Brown out the door if he decides to stay longer than expected. Willis isn't going to be accepted at Bama and he's going to find that Saban works his coaches harder than anyone in the country.

I think you will see Muschamp the head coach at GA before you see him as head coach at texas. Ga fans are getting sick of Richt.

[Auburnforever 0]

You want to talk about being wronged?

Talk to David Housel. He was wronged. He took the high road, loved his University, his team. Do you think he's ever tried to "help" Alabama because of it... HELL NO!

Coach Willis you are a backstabber!!!

[AUman43 5]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

[LegalEagle 22]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

That's $atan's job - to beat AU. I doubt he got permission to speak to Willis, but hiring him is a big feather in his cap.

You may blame Willis, Chizik, Jacobs, etc. and be in the right ballpark, but blaming $atan gets no traction with me.

[arnaldoabru 11]

You want to talk about being wronged?

Talk to David Housel. He was wronged. He took the high road, loved his University, his team. Do you think he's ever tried to "help" Alabama because of it... HELL NO!

Coach Willis you are a backstabber!!!

You mean the high plane.

[AUman43 5]

That's $atan's job - to beat AU. I doubt he got permission to speak to Willis, but hiring him is a big feather in his cap.

Are you actually believing that Willis was the best linebacker coach out there that Saban could have hired? If so, you need therapy and a reality pill. This was no accident and was done with an underhanded purpose.

[Ravad 78]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

[AUdrew1 3]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

i think it's more about trying to destroy AU recruiting this year than anything. During the short time Chizik and staff have been here lil Nick is already starting to feel the heat on his coat tails. Willis should watch his back with Saban.

[Mikey 16,781]

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

Thank you! When Joe Whitt recruited Mobile for Auburn, he kept a steady stream of great prospects coming our way. Since Willis took over, McNeil is the only one he's got for us. Something would have had to be done anyway because Willis wasn't cutting it.

[AUdaREALsecTigers 2]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

i think it's more about trying to destroy AU recruiting this year than anything. During the short time Chizik and staff have been here lil Nick is already starting to feel the heat on his coat tails. Willis should watch his back with Saban.

Exactly! When Saban was hired he said he was hired to beat Auburn. He'll do whatever he has to do. And honestly, if all it took was a few bucks for Willis to leave for the dark side, what have we really lost?

[WaDE'05 8]

To those who think Willis's move can't hurt us............wake up! He had the i nside track to the Mobile area where Alabama was already stronger than us; he knows the physical attributes. limitations and tendencies of all our linebackers as well as other personnel as well; he obviously knows Chizik's targets not only for t his year but next year as well, and he may have a bone to pick with Chizik and the staff. This, in my opinion, was totally unethical by Saban. There's a lot of outstanding LB coaches out there and Saban could probably have gotten anyone he really wanted. Instead, he chose the one of his chief rival. If anyone thinks this is just about a coach, he or she needs their head examined.

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

Sen'derrick Marks is another. But if I remember correctly, I believe Don Dunn recruited him more than anyone. Mobile has been sort of locked down to Bama and LSU for a while now.

[3328 0]

Gimme a break. Joe Whitt, a gentleman with an incredible amount of class and integrity, an Auburn man, is our Baldwin County man. Nobody owns Mobile. Check with Stat to see the numbers the last 10 yrs. in Mobile, I believe we're not that bad off.

Somebody check to see if Willis is related to 'The Legend of Leeds' R. Gardner, the 2nd benedict arnold next to 1971 bill oliver.

I gotta call CSI to determine what type of knife was used.

There is no excuse for this to have happened 2 weeks before signing. Absolutley no class--but all's fair in love and war.

'Hey you bastards, I'm still here!' Steve Mcqueen in Papillon

[AU1941 6]

If you think Willis had any kind of "inside track" in Mobile...

Name me more than one player on our roster from the Mobile area that has had any significant playing time?

3 years...

2006

2007 - Michael McNeil

2008

Thank you! When Joe Whitt recruited Mobile for Auburn, he kept a steady stream of great prospects coming our way. Since Willis took over, McNeil is the only one he's got for us. Something would have had to be done anyway because Willis wasn't cutting it.

If Willis wasn't cutting it, then why the hell did Chizik hire him back? Obviously CGC saw something in the man, or he wouldn't have hired him back to the staff after letting him go when CTT left, right?

[Aubie27 0]

That's $atan's job - to beat AU. I doubt he got permission to speak to Willis, but hiring him is a big feather in his cap.

Are you actually believing that Willis was the best linebacker coach out there that Saban could have hired? If so, you need therapy and a reality pill. This was no accident and was done with an underhanded purpose.

based on the response from this board, i would say that Saban's ploy worked beautifully.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

Okay, I continually hear PT and others talk about Willis as a backstabber, traitor, etc. There is speculation that he was intentionally trying to hurt Auburn.

Why would he want to hurt Auburn? (This is where I step in it.) I find it very hard to believe that he would do what he has done without there being some impetus. Most everyone seems to believe that he made the decision in a vacuum without cause from outside circumstance. That is naive and shortsighted.

Could it be that he really felt wronged? Could it be that expectations were not met? Could it be that promises were not kept? Could it be that he really was doing what was best for his family and career?

From many, CGC has gotten a pass since day one. Losing recruits the Mississippi schools is one thing. Losing star coaches who graduated from Auburn to Alabama is quite different.

Some have said, "it's only a linebackers coach." We all know that is just spin. Willis and Chizik (1) are the only two people on staff who have recruited people to Auburn successfully. Trooper Taylor might be great, but I don't think that he has claimed his first commitment for Auburn.

I hope you aren't referring to me when you say PT. I certainly haven't been critical of Willis or anyone else. All I've said is I would like to know the details of what's going on before I rush to judgement. I agree with much of what you are saying.

[rtftiger 40]

Okay, I continually hear PT and others talk about Willis as a backstabber, traitor, etc. There is speculation that he was intentionally trying to hurt Auburn.

Why would he want to hurt Auburn? (This is where I step in it.) I find it very hard to believe that he would do what he has done without there being some impetus. Most everyone seems to believe that he made the decision in a vacuum without cause from outside circumstance. That is naive and shortsighted.

Could it be that he really felt wronged? Could it be that expectations were not met? Could it be that promises were not kept? Could it be that he really was doing what was best for his family and career?

From many, CGC has gotten a pass since day one. Losing recruits the Mississippi schools is one thing. Losing star coaches who graduated from Auburn to Alabama is quite different.

Some have said, "it's only a linebackers coach." We all know that is just spin. Willis and Chizik (1) are the only two people on staff who have recruited people to Auburn successfully. Trooper Taylor might be great, but I don't think that he has claimed his first commitment for Auburn.

I hope you aren't referring to me when you say PT. I certainly haven't been critical of Willis or anyone else. All I've said is I would like to know the details of what's going on before I rush to judgement. I agree with much of what you are saying.

My apologies PT. I actually meant TT (Titan). It will be noted in the original post.

[Mikey 16,781]

Gimme a break. Joe Whitt, a gentleman with an incredible amount of class and integrity, an Auburn man, is our Baldwin County man. Nobody owns Mobile. Check with Stat to see the numbers the last 10 yrs. in Mobile, I believe we're not that bad off.

Joe Whitt was our man in the Mobile area. Success over a ten year period is a credit to Whitt. Read carefully:

We did great around Mobile when Whitt was recruiting that area for us. Then Whitt retired and starting with the '06 recruiting season, Willis took over. Our success in and around Mobile promptly went into the tank under Willis. One contributing player (Mike McNeil) in three years is not good enough. Willis beat UAT, LSU, FSU and the others that recruit the area on exactly ONE player in three years. To repeat, not good enough.

As to why Chizik retained Willis, everybody, me included, thought Willis and Gran should have been retained. Maybe Chizik yielded to the pressure of 100k emails, maybe he holds Willis in high regard, I wouldn't know.

I now regret being a vocal supporter of Willis. A hard look at his results show us a recruiter that hasn't done very well and if there's been anything exceptional about our linebacker play, I can't tell it.