REPORTS: FRANCHIONE BOUGHT OUT, DONE. EXCELSIOR!

To echo Navy – Please don’t start putting Brian Kelly in these lists. It’s waaay too early to take the Bearcats’ limited success as proof of concept.

$8-10 Million?!?!?!? To fire him!?!?!?

Damn I’ve got to get a coaching job already.

Didn’t that whole selling the newsletter thing fall under some clause in his contract spelling out cause for firing?

Just pulled up the finebaum show online. they are falling all over themselves at the thought of CTT leaving.

Coach Franjabroni was, like, really good and stuff before he arrived at TAMU, right? Was it all smoke and mirrors? Was it his assistants? Everyone just kept waiting (perhaps rightfully) for TAMU to improve and they never did. Did he give up upon receiving the gig and just enjoy his pile of money? Because he’s clearly terrible now – how did he succeed before?

#3

Finebaum and his cronies are usually falling all over themselves about something…or they’re complaining that the Tide gets no respect for beating a really good Houston team…

Fran was pretty good for 1 year at Alabama with Dubose’s leavin’s.

No love for Charlie Strong?

Bobby Lowder won’t pay Tuberville another red cent. The two don’t speak since Jet-gate. If Tubby stays, it’s because he wants to stay (or nobody else offers), not because Auburn wins a bidding war.

#4: He coached Tomlinson at TCU. That is basically how he got every job since then, as he hasn’t actually stayed any one place long enough to give anyone a good look at how he would run a program. Now we know.

Where’s Charlie Strong on the list?

Hah ha, people fleeced again by dreams of quick success and making choices based on past results. THANK GOD THE ADs AREN’T RUNNING YOUR SCHOOL’S ENDOWMENT!!!! WHEW, Dodged a bullet on that one, TAMU, Pitt, Nebraska, ND, Arizona, & Miami soon enough…

Tuberville has to be on that list too. When does the Bill Callahan countdown start? I think you will see a lot more early firings this year after the success of UF and UNC with their respective hirings. The bungling by UA also does not help.

Oh and Terry Bowden has sais he wants to get back into coaching but not in the SEC. Though Ark would be a great place to send his ass to rot.

Three of those potential candidates have been LSU assistant coaches.

in other coaching news, http://www.gatorsformarkricht.com/ is perhaps the greatest website not regarding which days should be saturdays. god i hate the dawgs. i’m wearing my shirt and possibly painting my truck to match this year in jacksonville. who’s with me!?

Will Muschamp heard he was on the list and said “BOOM MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!”

To expound on my hastily made comment above, It is indeed pisspoor how some of these ADs and hiring committees end up making their choices. While I think I would have also hired Weis…The other guys on my list of notable piss poor hirings seemed to be doomed from the get-go. A winner is a winner no matter what, and a loser is a loser no matter what. Also, why would you invest your coaching salary dollars in an overvalued asset, such as a shitty NFL HC, when there are plenty of scrappy up-n-comers, like an Urban Meyer was a few years ago, who will potentially take less money because your school is a great spot for them to advance their career and carve out a niche.

It’s like trying to date a hot chick who just got dumped…there’s a reason, and it’s probably not pretty, and it’s not going to be worth your investment. I don’t get why these hiring committees don’t see that and just find the chick who just got her braces removed and still dresses bad, but underneath is rocking a sweet body and pent up sexual frustration.

Like I said, these committees would put up some of the poorest investment returns ever, so keep them the hell away from your money.

HOW DARE YOU WISH TERRY BOWDEN UPON ME SIRS!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!!

oh and correct me if i’m wrong, but chuck strong (da MAN!!!) isn’t likely to coach in the big xii because, [again, correct me if i’m wrong] the big xii doesn’t allow blacks to be head coaches. i don’t think they’ve ever had a black head coach in their conference. not that the SEC is a ton better, but at least sly croom is a respected coach who’s just getting shafted repeatedly by mediocre recruiting classes.

Having a nincompoop head coach at your rival school is great

http://www.dontfirealgroh.com

interesting list there. all of which would send minor shockwaves.

however i’m in dallas listening to talk radio types and nothing yet. what tha dilly??

Jerkwheat is right, man… that’s just cold

I seem to remember www.keepmikeshula.com too.

Don’t see Tuberville going anywhere. Other than Lowder, I don’t know anyone affiliated with Auburn that is unhappy about his performance there.

Even though I’m an App fan…I’d still laugh at the thought of A&M hiring a 67 year old, first year, head coach.

I agree with what I think is Brian’s point; hire the most consistent winner from a league or division below you. I’m sure there are examples of this not working, but Urban Meyer and Tressel both come to mind. Brian Kelly at UC is freshly minted in this vein, but at least initially is on the right track.

Ha ha. Stupid Aggy. We told you that guy sucked and that your team was a fraud last year. But did you listen? Noooooo!

Cameron, I won’t correct you, but John Blake will. Tech did a damn fine job of losing a couple of WTF? games to him in the mid/late 90s, just to keep him around.

Sound advice from Brian.

I have to ask though: how many opportunities does one have to put part 1 of that theory to the test at GA Tech?

Based on at least 5 minutes’ conversation with some Tech alumni while on a work trip to the greater Atlanta area (does Gwinnett County constitute "greater Atlanta?) I thought that Tech students just went directly to part 2 with the sexually tense badly dressed co-eds.

@4

Franchione’s reputation was made at TCU when he had Patterson as OC and LT running circles around everyone. He’s a fraud laughing all the way to the bank. Way to go, aggie.

1. Try 1310am. Not sure why the Dallas Mavericks guy (Cooperstein) is reporting it, but he is apparently well connected at aTm.

#3
Tuberville to aTm
Muschamp to Arkansas
Borges to UCLA

I would bet that the final buyout, because of the VIPConnection mess, will be considerably lower than $8-10 million.

1. - I came here to make much the same point. I’m fairly certain there’s still a taboo in college ball about hiring a black coach. Charlie Strong certainly deserves a gig since he’s a good recruiter and has found ways to make chicken salad from chicken feathers (I’m being clean for once). I have to say that it’s shameful that he’s been left out of coaching searchs much less being hired, and I can only think it’s in part due to skin color.

Fran did have a good record coming in… LT aside.

He had success at New Mexico.

He had a midmajor and BCS in the same sentence @ TCU.

Had a good season or 2 @ Bama… but jumped ship for a school w/out sanctions. A lot is made of him leaving in the middle of the night… but apparently there were calls against his life if he was ever seen on campus again.

He did ok @ A&M…
He recruited pretty well and fielded good teams that should have won more.

But then he had losses like OU ’03, Utah ’04, Baylor ’04, Tech ’05, Tech ’07, ISU ’05, Colorado ’05, Miami 07, and both bowl games…

Most schools in the country would have canned him after ‘05. I’m glad he had a couple more years chance, but he just didn’t capitalize.

Tough loss for him. I hope he finds his way at a good Mid Major and has success there.

dammit! SEARCHES

Coop is at 103.3 espn. He used to be at 1310 am the ticket, but he tired of their 12 year old antics and unwillingness to talk sports. He’s the only guy in this town with a decent show.

OhioDawg-

I think Kelly is experienced and established enough as a winner to be offered one of sure to be many higher profile vacancies this year. While Kelly is only in year one as a BCS coach, I think what he did in turning Central Michigan around and in turning Grand Valley into a d-2 power is going to be enough to land him a much cushier gig next year if he wants one.

As a CMU alum and someone who watched his GVSU teams a few times, I’m a big fan and I’d commit illegal acts if I thought for a minute he’d entertain replacing Nutt.

#26…considering 1 million people live in Gwinnett, and it’s only 20 minutes outside Atlanta…absolutely!

Another name I want to throw into the pot…one bad-ass collegiate linebacker, and arguably the real reason South Carolina is so good this year:

Tyrone Nix

@31

i guess he got tired of having ratings too b/c noone listens to espn in this town. you slam 12 year old antics yet hang out on edsbs (no offense orson).

@27
that’s what i was listening too, but it was apparently reported on an earlier show. thanks.

John Blake was a black coach (at Oklahoma no less!) and Ron Prince, the current coach at KSU, is black and looks like the father from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

1. - Many folks outside of Auburn would love to see that very thing happen.

Muschamp may acually get hired out of Auburn.

But if Tuby WERE to go, I think WM would get the AU job. Doubt we lose both.

Glen Mason is available. Just throwing that out there.

Why is everyone running away?

1. - don’t you mean the Uncle?

#18

Sly Croom is getting shafted by mediocre playcalling and zero offensive ingenuity.

The smartest move Croom could make for his future and MSU’s future would be to go out and hire a brilliant offensive mind and hand over the reigns.

So they’ve worked out a buyout to pay Fran $8-10 million? Um, if they fired Fran, the buyout would be a little over $8 million. An agreement may have been reached, but it’s more than likely around $2 million.

Terry Bowden as a possible candidate???? Looks like someone took the script for calling into an AM sports talk station a little too seriously. Terry Bowden is no way, no how even with jigglin’ distance of A&M’s radar.

41

He was the father of more characters in that show than characters for whom he was an uncle.

also, Ron Prince is a chameleon.
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/va/sports/m-footbl/auto_headshot/p-prince02.jpg
http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/77202454.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1931429C503D256B63F67E57B0DA4C239AC284831B75F48EF45

Aggie fans can keep their filthy nut-grabbing mitts off my Bo Pelini. Have Paul Johnson — he perfectly fits in the Cro-Magnon preferences of Aggie Fan.

Osborne named to be interim AD at Nebraska — one wonders when the “Bo Pelini got cable” rumors will begin.

Why would Tubs leave the SEC for A&M? Makes no sense. A&M is the little brother to Texas and in an inferior conference. While Auburn is the little bro to Bama, it is much closer overall (and especially the last 5 years) to Bama than A&M will ever be to Texas. No way Tubs leaves unless it is 100% about money.

Pellini goes to Nebraska. A&M tries to lure Leavitt from USF, Schiano from Rutgers or Grobe from Wake. Wildcard is Butch Davis at UNC.

1. 29

Please! He was a sub .500 coach at New Mexico and then went on to build his budding major conference career around the success he enjoyed with LT.

And don’t even talk about success with Bama. Does this sound like a successful coach: a leader who supposedly is a player’s coach leave a school in the dark of night and then have the class to let your ex-team know by TELECONFERENCE that not only are they losing their head coach but the entire staff will be leaving as well. Sounds like a selfish prick to me. If you were so distressed with the sanctions, Fran, then you should have never gone to Bama in the first place. But no you knew that if you could get your fucking fat foot into the door of Major Conference Football, somewhere a more attractive job might come calling.

And his record and latest foray into stupidity at TAMU speaks for itself. “Hey Mr. Pennywise, I’ve got a sweet deal for you. For the amazing price of just 12 hundred dollars (that, Sally Struthers, is just $3.29 per day!!!) I’ll tell you ultra secret information on which of our strapping young teenagers are suffering from turf toe (aka Sandy Taco Syndrome) or which future Texas Corporate Oil Magnate is six credit hours away from his Bachelor of Arts in Functional Retard.”

I don’t hope he wipes his ass with some poor mid major school, #29. Rather I hope this moron ends up getting zero dollars for contract violations and I hope the only job he can find is a special teams assistant job in Supai Arizona coaching the long snappers in 8 man football.* I’m not finished.**

No offense to Supai Arizona, Long Snappers, or 8 Man football.
*Fuck you Fran.

1. - So how does it feel to get the shit beat out of you by your little brother for the last five years?

1. - Auburn’s little bro days are long gone, pal.

RE #47. And by #29 I mean #32.

We had a football program first, anyway, unless the definition of “little brother” has changed.

How are comments getting slid in higher up after the fact? I thought I commented to Thor at #27 and now he’s #29. Now two of us commented to Sabanite at #45 and now he’s at #46.

47 sounds like a butt hurt bama fan.

1. - Part one of my theory (being that recently dumped hot chicks are something you should stay away from) was based on pure supposition, and inference. Who gives up sex with a hot woman unless she is badly tainted…even if you’ve got other options you’ll probably still keep her, but cheat.

At GT there are zero (well like maybe 3, but they’re fucking the football &/or Baseball team anyway so I’d give a wide berth to them anyhow) opportunities to test this theory, due to the general lack of hot women, and at that, women getting dumped, it’s simply unheard of.

In the end, The best bet from GT is to get yourself a freshman who still is a geek, but will soon get slutified by her sorority, and shed that aura. Its not ideal, but it is an option. Actually the better bet is to just find some bitches at UGA so you can go up the Athens and have a place to crash.

1. Cjjagoff: Read my name fucktard. I’m a Volunteer fan with a conscience.

This job opening has Mark Mangino written alll over it.

1-800-AUB-1957

Volunteer fan with a conscience? Do those even exist?

You’re right. I’m just a Volunteer fan.

5 wins does not shift the overall balance or the national perception. Tough to accept but true. No one will ever mistake A&M for Texas, UCLA for USC, Tulane for LSU, Vandy for Tennessee or Auburn for Alabama. The big brothers get MNCs for undefeated seasons…the little brothers get pats on the back

#48…I’ll be shocked if it’s not 6 straight years by the end of this season. Bama’s about to enter the shitstorm portion of their schedule on Saturday.

Brian-

  Croom is the one shafting himself repeatedly with mediocre recruiting. The QB carousel this year is exhibit A since the coaching staff refuses to acknowledge our troubles on offense.

  As for nincompoop head coaches we wish upon our rivals for eternity…none can touch The Orgeron.

#49

Must have missed where AU won another (or 11.5) national championship(s).

Matter of time now, and you know it. Enjoy it while it lasts.

OH SNAP. Osborne returning to Nebraska as interim AD.

People in the SEC have consciences?

1. - If I were forced to wager, I’d put money on Francho Villa roaming SMU’s sidelines next year.

Haven’t seen a year with this many openings since Gary Barnett took Northwestern to the Rose Bowl. Back then, every AD said, “WTF, if Northwestern can win the Big 10 why are we losing?”

USF success is going to kill many a coach. Rutgers success should have last year. Coaches just got a one year reprieve.

good one, cjjagoff. I’m gonna lose a couple minutes of sleep from that one.

It isn’t that Charlie Strong can’t get a head coaching job because he’s black. Charlie Strong can’t get a head coaching job because his wife is white.

Can’t believe the Spurrier to aTm rumors haven’t started yet.

Unless you’re referring to the newly formed nation of Tuscaloosa, I’m not sure what national perception exists that would distinguish Alabama from Auburn as “big brother”. Try playing your eleven trophies against Auburn and see what happens…probably a similar result to what will happen anyway.

Osborne just hired as AD at Nebraska.

Dmac,

You don’t get trophies for retroactive NC’s.

(1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941)

Hold the rope, bitch. Then wrap that shit around your neck, tie the other end to the guardrail on a bridge and take a swan dive. Me so happy.

#69

Make that 12.

#70

Do you get a trophy:

a) if you’re on probation (1957), or
b) from the 17 year-old acne-faced kid on the internet (2004)?

@ Cameron Siggs

“but at least sly croom is a respected coach who’s just getting shafted repeatedly by his lack of recruiting prowess as well as stubborn loyalty to an offense best run by Joe Montana, Brett Favre and Steve Young.”

/fixed

OK…so try playing your six trophies and five certificates from the Helms Foundation that ’Bama has printed out and framed against Auburn?

This is not a parody:

http://auburn.scout.com/2/338643.html

69:
I’ll start by saying that I am upset about this semi UA/AU threadjack, as this is Tennessee week, a different hate week. But …

If we played 11 trophies against AU, Brandon Cox still couldn’t evade the rush.

If AU keeps playing well, they might be able to claim another SEC West Co-championship. WHOOO! Rings and parades!

And to respond to an earlier post, it doesn’t feel very good to lose to AU 5 in a row.

@26 raider red

thanks for the correction. i was having trouble finding the information and i’m glad the big xii is an equal-opportunity employer (drug free/EOE). so maybe chuck “norris” strong will have a shot at getting the head coaching job he’s deserved for YEARS. i’ll be heartbroken, because his tenure here has been nothing short of monty kiffen in tampa as far as defenses are concerned, and i know he’ll make a fine head coach.

1. In the national perspective of things, Alabama has been irrelevant for a few years now and Auburn is one of flagships for the SEC.

And if you don’t think perceptions change, take a look at FSU, which was THE powerhouse icon for the 18-35 crowd.

See, this is what Bammers do when you question their “12.” They ask you to kill yourself, or they turn the question around to focus scrutiny elsewhere.

But to answer you, RIP:

a) Yes, it WAS an AP title (Bama has two AP titles that were awarded before losing a bowl game)

b)No, and we don’t claim it

We also have two retroactive NC’s (1913,1914), but we don’t claim them, either.

Interesting blurb from the Sporting News web site…

“The next few games are critical to Karl Dorrell’s future at UCLA.

“A source told me that UCLA AD Dan Guerrero met with Bruin defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker last week during the team’s off week to discuss the possibility of Walker taking over as interim coach this season if Dorrell is let go early.

“Presumably, if Walker does well, he would be given strong consideration to become the head coach. Walker’s defense has been strong since he arrived in Westwood before the 2006 season. He long has been considered a strong head coaching candidate, with his extensive background in the NFL. The guy is good.”

The Black Steve Lavin is feeling the heat

C’mon, Tater,

The parade/rings were following a perfect season and an SEC title, not divisional co-championship.

tater salad,

ever notice how these threadjacks are always started by boogers?

@28 – Patterson was actually Franchione’s DC, not OC, for the Frogs.

@ 66 – I would love to see Fran land on his ass at smu, but I’m a little afraid he would actually do a good job there.

The last time Tuberville was going to A&M, Alabama lost a head coach.

For A&M to get Tuberville, they have to pony up another 10 mil to buy him out plus pay him a salary. Don’t think so.

However, there is another coach in the state that doesn’t have a buyout, has recruiting connections to Louisianna and Texas, and whose OC was a big-dog at A&M’s rival.

Truly Fun Candidate Dept:

LOU HOLTHHHHHHH!!!!

#82

Sure thing.

The reason for the shift in posts is due to new posts having to pass moderation first. The get posted in order they were received retroactively.

Like some football team’s claims to NCs.

#84

http://www.tjscollectiblesinc.com/catalog/item/3863945/3569315.htm

Sweet.

I can almost guarantee you all that Tubs ain’t going to Texas A&M and work for a cheating old Bammer named Gene Stallings….

Unless, Stallings is $ucka, $ucka, $ucka with the A&M wallet…..

of course, he was $ucka with the Bama wallet when it came to paying players…

one coaching search not naming Jeff Tedford.

sigh of relief

The only thing more worthless than bama fans making claims of superiority over AU? AU fans responding.

Bragging rights, and such.

Jerkwheat – Personally, I agree with you.. but I don’t want anyone else getting the same idea. I’m in Cincinnati!

#90,

Anyone can get a ring made by Balfour for anything, and I seriously doubt the whole team had them made (2004, though, yes, the whole team got them).

I thought Auburn was UGA’s little brother.

—Mark May

1. I stand corrected, but my point was that Fran’s entire reputation was based on other peoples effort. Apparently he didn’t realize that it wasn’t himself who was the genius behind the Frogs success but patterson and LT.

#95

Sure thing, little bro.

Has anybody started the required Spurrier rumor yet? Hell, we might as well get it out of the way.

Wait wait wait, kt, are you an aubie? I really hope an aubie wouldn’t be talking about another school paying players. You know, considering Terry Bowden said the pay for play scheme was full force on the plains when he got there.

And, you know, Alabama doesn’t keep former coaches on bribery, err, salary, to keep their mouths shut. What is it that those former coaches do for the athletic department?

And who the fuck was getting paid by Gene Stallings? Typical aubie bullshit. Don’t let that get in the way of smearing an upstanding man.

I heard that there’s awesome golfing in College Station…

Seriously, this story holds absolutely no water with the reference to an 8 million dollar buy out after the coach has violated his contract. What, are they trying to thank his fat ass for a job well done?
Don’t turn this into a Finebaum blog, please.
You people are smarter than this; I know you are.

69

Come on, a lot of D1 coaches have white wives.

/kidding

Bill Byrne (TAMU AD) has been superb when it comes to hiring coaches. I’m not sure what direction he will go in if Fran is indeed done, but I’m 100% confident that he will move quickly and get the guy he wants.

I’ll second (or perhaps third) the buyout thing. With a clear recruiting violation on the table, their is no way that Fran gets $8 million. Also, I’ve yet to see a link that confirms this and the A&M message boards are completely dead. I think that these radio stations might have jumped the gun.

best blog ever.

just because i haven’t heard anyone way that Saban should go to A&M so that Alabama can finally resurrect The Bear and prop his ass up on the sidelines and return to glory… yet…

say… dammit.

Well, I agree, a great blog, except jay whitlow is complaining about the inserted face of our fearless leader jay whitlow says he loves this sight and it’s a great escape avenue so why do we have to see GB’s face on it?

@76
i do respect his desire to maintain a system that will someday work when he gets the right players, but you do have a point.

Wrap your mind around this one…Bob Davie.

@ #36:
You shut your mouth right now before people realize what’s up.

I was turned gay by this blog

1 – As a matter of fact, the Big XII does have a Black head coach, Kansas State’s Ron Prince.

2 – Here’s to the Aggies getting Bo Pelini. That guy is a fool. He may be able to f-up a solid program even more than the oblivious Coach Fran.

Tommy Tuberville field at Bryant Denny Stadium.

Tommy Tuberville Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL…

Sorry Orson…

Bra-FUCKIN-vo to MeytonPanning. RE: 47. Franchione IS a douchebag. Hopefully a fine AUSA from the lower asscrack region of College Station will be shortly introducing Mr. Franchione to the Federal grand jury system for his systemic violations of HIPAA and FERPA. Couldn’t happen to a nicer tardbag.

Sylvester Croom Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium

Actually, more appropriate for this thread:

Dennis Franchione Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Yeah, that really happened.

Hey Auburn Fans,
You have owned us recently, completelly and totally, but sanctions and Shula are over.

We’re not going to win every time we plaly now, but you sure aren’t going to have it as easy as you have for the past 7 or 8 years.

I don’t know or care about national perception and/or big brother/little brother status.

This may be your last year to beat us easily for a while.

Auburn has never been beaten in Tuscaloosa. That’s right NEVER.

If I was Texas A&M or Arkansas, the first person I would interview would be Jason Garrett. I don’t know why his name hasn’t come up more often.

Actually it should be Pat Dye Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. He’s the man that got the series to be Home and Home. From what I’ve seen of Saban, I’m not that worried. At any rate we OWN you in Tuscaloosa.

120- Buck-
I think you are hinting at something that has held true since I was a kid playing at recess, as i’m sure it was true with you- while we like undefeated seasons and national championships and heisman trophies and conference titles, it really only boils down to WHO WINS THE IRON BOWL. And it doesn’t matter who’s 1-10 or 10-1 going into that game of all games- I’ve heard it compared to space travel: it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there before, it can still kill you the next time, and it’s true. Anyone can win, and aparently the last decade or so the best team has!
 
Shit- my old pastor was a huge Bama fan and if they won on Saturday he would talk shit during his sermon, but if they lost on saturday he wouldn’t even give a sermon on Sunday becasue he knew the sanctuary would be full of Auburn folk ready to cheer instead of sing hymns. What a way to say “GO TO HELL, AUBURN!” and mean it!

Yes, Auburn has kicked ass the last decade, and yes, Alabama has never won in Tuscaloosa, and yes you were under sanctions and bad coaching and on your period and wah wah wah blah blah blah. I will be at the game this year and will get to witness yet another Tiger victory. You want to put your money where your mouth is? See you at the game. Or you can just come up to Toomer’s Corner after the game and picture me rollin’…

#124

1) There is no IRON BOWL since the game was moved from Birmingham.
2) How do you know if you like national championships? Have you ever experienced one?

We have the same number of national championships as Alabama does in the 21st century. I guess I’ll just have to enjoy kicking Bama butt at Pat Dye Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. Now, before you break bad with Pat Dye ( That’s MR. Dye to you), remember he was one of Bear’s Boys. Would you mind if we wear our home jersey’s next year at Tuscaloser?

1. You really shouldn’t have set the hook so soon, they were still pulling line out. Although your remarks were spot on.

And, all-time, you have the same number of national championships as Pitt.

As for the jerseys, ask your new coach.

1. Pat Dye went to Georgia.
   Lots of people were assistant couaches to Bryant. It was kind of like being an apprentice to Donald Trump. Do a good job and you have a nice future ahead of you.

New coach?

Terry Bowden got on the 5:52 Delta flight from KC, MO to ATL yesterday.

Maybe he was coming from an interview. Said he’d be back in coaching in three weeks, then played it off. He mentioned a truthy school (one likely to need a coach) and then played it off.

I didn’t ask where he’d been, but y’all can start the speculation now.

Mr. Russell – I think Auburn has the edge over UA,T in the last 25 years, 17-8 or something close to that. Feel free to correct me.

14-11, AU over the last 25 years, by my calculation.

At least 6 of those AU victories came while Bama was on probation. Bama won one, maybe two over AU while AU was on probation.

You need better probation teams.

Why setting for anything less than Jon Gruden – If there ever was a coach that was made for college football, then it is Jon Gruden. Still only 44 years old, Gruden still has a passion for the game that is not equaled by anyone we know, college or pro. His Super Bowl win was in 2002, so things might be getting stale in Tampa, and what a better combination of people than Jon Gruden and the Aggies. He would eat up the traditions that make A&M the great school that it is, and there would be no one tougher on the campus once he arrived in College Station.

I just had to get in my “I told you so” to all of those TAMU fans out there. I can remember how they were talking Fran up when they made the hire and my thinking “what has the guy ever done?” He did have a couple of GREAT years at TCU, but I think you really have to ask yourself who were they playing. SW Texas State, New Mexico and TCU are at best mid-major programs playing against other mid-major programs. Playing their schedules isn’t exactly the same as playing BAMAs or TAMUs. I wonder if they would now agree that Fran is a Fraud?