Adding to his resume?

[OldNewby 27]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

[OldNewby 27]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

I agree with your dad's decision. His commitments and goals are obviously important to him. A man of high character, I would say. No one except JW knows the whys and whats of his shift to UA. But, you are correct - his actions set a bad example and rightfully cause some to question his character. One thing for sure - he's no longer in Auburn, and that may be a good thing. If he was unhappy with his lot, better to find out now.

I cannot name any former Saban assistants who are now head coaches. There may be some, I just can't think of any. Come to think of it, I can't name any former Tuberville assistants who are HCs, with the exception of Coach Chizik. It is a hard barrier to break.

[arnaldoabru 11]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

I agree with your dad's decision. His commitments and goals are obviously important to him. A man of high character, I would say. No one except JW knows the whys and whats of his shift to UA. But, you are correct - his actions set a bad example and rightfully cause some to question his character. One thing for sure - he's no longer in Auburn, and that may be a good thing. If he was unhappy with his lot, better to find out now.

I cannot name any former Saban assistants who are now head coaches. There may be some, I just can't think of any. Come to think of it, I can't name any former Tuberville assistants who are HCs, with the exception of Coach Chizik. It is a hard barrier to break.

Wasn't Noel Mazzone a head coach somewhere?

[AU1941 6]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

I agree with your dad's decision. His commitments and goals are obviously important to him. A man of high character, I would say. No one except JW knows the whys and whats of his shift to UA. But, you are correct - his actions set a bad example and rightfully cause some to question his character. One thing for sure - he's no longer in Auburn, and that may be a good thing. If he was unhappy with his lot, better to find out now.

I cannot name any former Saban assistants who are now head coaches. There may be some, I just can't think of any. Come to think of it, I can't name any former Tuberville assistants who are HCs, with the exception of Coach Chizik. It is a hard barrier to break.

Wasn't Noel Mazzone a head coach somewhere?

I think Bobby Petrino was a CTT asst that made HC, wasn't he? Where is Noel Mazzone now?

[GaCoach 0]

Guys that's exactly what he's doing, padding he's resume. As tough as it seems, we have to get over this. The sky is NOT falling! To may of us Auburn fans hear news like this, news that doesn't go our way, and we suddenly think it's the end of the world. Auburn was very good before Willis and will be now that he's gone.

Noel was the QB coach for the NY Jets, but I'm sure they all got fire with the HC. Bobby was the OC at Auburn in '02. He's the only HC from the Tommy's 'coaching tree'.

[OldNewby 27]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

I agree with your dad's decision. His commitments and goals are obviously important to him. A man of high character, I would say. No one except JW knows the whys and whats of his shift to UA. But, you are correct - his actions set a bad example and rightfully cause some to question his character. One thing for sure - he's no longer in Auburn, and that may be a good thing. If he was unhappy with his lot, better to find out now.

I cannot name any former Saban assistants who are now head coaches. There may be some, I just can't think of any. Come to think of it, I can't name any former Tuberville assistants who are HCs, with the exception of Coach Chizik. It is a hard barrier to break.

Wasn't Noel Mazzone a head coach somewhere?

Not according to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Mazzone

[OldNewby 27]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he left. Could have been a number of reasons. I don't think it sets a good example or reflects very well on his character, however. My dad took a job at the university and during his transition the boss that hired him was let go. He had made a commitment and joined Auburn anyways, 3 years later, a bigger/better school offers him the same position for more money. He's intrigued and looks into the offer, but ultimately decides that his commitments and goals here at Auburn would go unfulfilled, and in the long run will help him move up the career ladder. If my dad had taken the job at the bigger more established university, it more than likely would have been his last rung on the ladder. Now, however, he has a rung or two more that he'll be able to climb.

You get more respect from making the smaller program taller (alas Turner Gill at Buffalo), whereas, at Alabama --- Saban gets all the credit.

Just out of curiousity, who are Saban assistants who currently hold head coaching gigs?? (JimBo and Muschamp dont count)

I agree with your dad's decision. His commitments and goals are obviously important to him. A man of high character, I would say. No one except JW knows the whys and whats of his shift to UA. But, you are correct - his actions set a bad example and rightfully cause some to question his character. One thing for sure - he's no longer in Auburn, and that may be a good thing. If he was unhappy with his lot, better to find out now.

I cannot name any former Saban assistants who are now head coaches. There may be some, I just can't think of any. Come to think of it, I can't name any former Tuberville assistants who are HCs, with the exception of Coach Chizik. It is a hard barrier to break.

Wasn't Noel Mazzone a head coach somewhere?

I think Bobby Petrino was a CTT asst that made HC, wasn't he? Where is Noel Mazzone now?

Slipped my mind. Petrino was OC in 2002 then was hired by Louisville. He did stick around to help us beat Penn State in the 2003 COB, iirc.

Mazzone was with the Jets. Can't find out where he is going next - Browns? Hurricanes? ?

[quietfan 233]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD.

'Course I'm sure that part really improves his resume..

[OldNewby 27]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD.

'Course I'm sure that part really improves his resume..

You bet. Especially on the Plains.

[WinCrimson 61]

Disclaimer: Willis hung his Auburn Family out to dry, leaving for its arch rival two weeks before NSD. I find that hard to ever forgive. Below, I am trying to see his move to Bama from a different perspective.

Coach James Willis has coached under several distinguished defensive coaches in his eight years in the coaching profession - Gene Chizik, Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads as his DC, and Tommy Tuberville as his HC. Suddenly there's an opening for a LB coaching position at UA with Lance Thompson going to UT. Willis sees a chance to coach under another famous defensive mind, Nick Saban. He moves on to Tuscaloosa.

When Lance left for UT, he became a big force behind that Willis to Alabama situation...

In fact, he had been suggesting to Saban for quite some time that he go after CJW.

[BoJtrueAUman 4]

I don't think anyone is worried about how good we will be it's just the principal of the thing. He won't ever be able to come back and coach here and the likleyhood that he will be welcome at all is slim. Had he left for any other school we might still be pissed but the fact he left for UA is treason in my book

[Tigermike 4,240]

Willis needs to add this to his resume.

[SouthLink02 8]

He will get a good bit of experience with Saban and probably learn a lot

But it will be a shock dealing with his coaching personality which many never seen to fully enjoy even though they stay with him

[GaCoach 0]

James is about to step into hell from a working conditions stand point. He may have worked long hours on Tommy's staff, but he will be on lock-down under Saban. I'll be surprised if he stays more than one season.