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October 8, 2008

TONY FRANKLIN: FIRED?

Sources close to the program, anonymousness, but still: here’s the first report that the Tony Franklin experiment at Auburn ist kaput. More to come as sources get less sketchish, so remember to salt this news accordingly.

Update: Finebaum is reporting that Franklin is indeed fired. In light of this, some recent headlines have been edited to reflect the current situation.

And…update. Official, news-related substance confirmed.

48 Responses to “TONY FRANKLIN: FIRED?”

1

WorstFan says:

First Malzahn, now wither Franklin? Doesn’t anyone realize radical sea changes take time?

October 8th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
2

TideDruid says:

Typical Tuberville fashion. Fire a coordinator to take the heat off of your own back. Of course, Auburn fans will still blame Tubs for a lot of things if he gets Hugh Nall to call plays again.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
3

TideDruid says:

http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/10/franklin_out_as_auburns_offens.html

October 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
4

crane says:

no more lame spread eagle joke? sniff sniff.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
5

Crabapple Buck says:

If only they had won 6-2, he may still have a job.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
6

Mr. Pelican Pants says:

Calling Mike Shula!!!

Tate up the middle
Tate up the middle
Todd sacked
Punt

Repeat
———————as from the comment section of the paper reporting…….vote of confidence=fired azzzz….
Damn recruits will haul ass from Auburn….
Next up——-Tommy Tuberville after the Iron Bowl—–

October 8th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
7

AtomicDog says:

Do we call this a crooming?

October 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
8

Mr.Pelican Pants says:

Lets get back to basics Auburn—–Chop Blocks all around–HUZZAH!!

October 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
9

EZ says:

So Andy finally booted Otis out of Mayberry, huh?

October 8th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
10

BamaCPA says:

Now which school is too hard on their coaches ? AU owes us royalties on this one.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
11

GamecockTony says:

This is what you get for letting a former barefoot kicker run your offense.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
12

NativeSon says:

I’m glad I was correct in wondering why in the hell so many people were all over Auburn’s nuts as the SEC West champ. That doesn’t tend to happen with the new QB / new OC / new DC hat trick they were toiling under.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
13

woolf says:

Paging Dr. Nallsminger… Dr. Nallsminger to the ICU…

Was Tony Franklin to blame for play calling in the second half of the Vandy game? That was one of the least-combobulated displays of “organized” sport I’ve ever witnessed. Looked like plays were called in whale song, by Joe Kines, via a kindergarten class playing Telephone — who knows what was going on by the time it got to the huddle? If he midwifed that abortion, he should be fired… in a kiln.)

October 8th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
14

BamaTaxMan says:

#13 -

Thankfully I’d already finished my milkshake, otherwise I’d have been cleaning it off my monitor.

The only thing about this that scares me is that the Barners might figure out how to score now. (Which would kinda ruin my hopes that they’d fail to win another game).

October 8th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
15

Signal to Noise says:

10 months?

Sorry, I’d wager Auburn United’s offensive struggles wouldn’t be a whole lot better if they’d stuck with Borges — not if Todd and Burns are any indication.

October 8th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
16

Vandy J says:

It would be rude and insensitive of me to type something as vulgar as “PWNED” here, and I shall not descend to that level.

O wait…

October 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
17

JHawg3 says:

Damn. I was just about to take the Hogs and the 19 points on the basis Auburn hadn’t scored that many all year. Now they’ll just line up in the power I and jam it down our throats.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
18

Rick Shaeffer's Stylist says:

#1 Gus Malzahn was never allowed to practice his love with Arkansas’ offense, otherwise you would see Arkansas fans celebrating their first Heisman Trophy winner and first BCS bowl berth. But, the Nuttless wonder would have been preparing himself to be the AD at Arkansas so even though we missed out on all the good stuff, you have to consider that because of the whole Malzahn/Mustain drama created by the Nuttless wonder, we dodged a massive bullet. And we got rid of the lying sack of shit in the process.

Yippee!

Look for Malzahn to be the OC at a BCS school this time next year, or possibly the head coach at a mid major. His offense is leading the country in scoring and yards after being the # 1 offense in the country last year.

Fucking Houston Nutt.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
19

Der Schatten says:

When will people realize that Tubs, like Papa Bowden, winks, nods and “aw shucks” with the media. In return, his glaring character deficiencies are excused, explained away or blatantly ignored.

For someone nearly Petrino’d, this is a world class asshole move, not indicative of some stewardship, leadership, or guts…it’s a typically gutless, tossing to the wolves to distract from the greater issue: to wit, who’s the asshat hiring Nall, Emsfiger, Borges, et al.

Class will out, Boogs, class will out.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
20

poguemahone says:

Uh, what? Why? Yes, the offense is atrocious, but so is Michigan’s right now. What’s the hurry-up? It’s not like anyone (outside Auburn city limits) is expecting a national title out of Auburn any time soon.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
21

WarCardinals says:

I thought he’d be fired last Sunday or Monday. When it didn’t happen on either day, I figured TF was in it for the long haul. I’m surprised that they fired him 3 days before the next game, with a bye week the week after.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
22

HOSS says:

What’s the over-under on coaches fired after losses to Vanderbilt this season?

October 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
23

Crabapple Buck says:

Vandy 2008 is very similar to Northwestern in 1995-6. When Gary Barnett turned them around there were more coaches fired that year than any other. Most ADs figured that if Northwestern can win, there were no more excuses. Vandy will mirror that sentiment and you can look for a similar offseason, this was just the first of many firings.

Greg Robinson, you are on the clock.

October 8th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
24

Jason says:

Two questions:

1)Does this have anything to do with Bama being ranked #2 in the land?

2) Do all the high school coaches who bought $1,000 DVDs from Tony Franklin get bailed out by the Federal Government on their 7/1 ARM offenses?

October 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
25

Yinka Double Dare says:

This is just as dumb as the assorted posters on various message boards who assert that Rich Rodriguez will be fired after one year, that Michigan’s recruiting is going down the toilet, yada yada yada.

Auburn hires Franklin, expects instant results (even though it was pretty plain to see that Franklin wasn’t really being allowed to do what he wanted), and then fires him halfway through the season? Brilliant move. War Eagle has been replaced with WHARRGARBL.

October 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
26

decemberist says:

It was only a matter of time. After the Miss. St. game, Auburn fans had moved past the bad offense and were up in arms about the fact that Franklin doesn’t really like to shave that often.

by god, they scored just a field goal, but they want thier OC to at least look like he doesn’t sleep in the equipment room!

October 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
27

Gen. Stoopnagle says:

There’s no shame in losing to Vandy. The ball is finally bouncing their way on a more consistent basis.

Vandy ain’t foolin’. They’ve got the Gators and Vols coming into Nashvegas and they won the last time they were between the hedges. I’m not going to say it, but I think it could happen.

October 8th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
28

Holly says:

My perfectly logical scenario is this: Vandy goes undefeated, except for Tennessee’s trip to Nashville. Their only loss, our only win in conference play. Write it down.

October 8th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
29

Bamamat says:

they’re next logical step would be to be put on probation and to have their color commentator get a dui

just tryin to be like bama huh barners?

October 8th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
30

Biggus Rickus says:

So it’s Franklin’s fault that their wide receivers kind of suck, their QBs royally suck and their line can’t block? Accomplishing all of those fuck ups in less than a year would be truly impressive, in a way.

October 8th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
31

Mr.Pelican Pants says:

Well, if Auburn would pay decent money to someone, they may get a decent product on the field. And who says recruiting dont matter? Where is those “character” players that are right for Auburn?
So, what about these 2 and 3 star kids who commited to Auburn and Tony Franklin? Tommy just shot himself in the foot bigtime,now Saban is really gonna mop up in state…..Wow, just wow, I didnt know the Tuscaloosa DeathStar had the “Mind Control Self Destruct Tractor Beam” aimed at Auburn already…..
Saban, you are truly the genius of psychological warfare and mind games, and you should get a bonus for this one…..Alabama is 6-0, good defense, good running game (like Auburn used to be able to do) back in the spotlight, Auburn looks like bumbling idiots—that right there is worth a $1 million dollars cash bonus…. To put this in perspective, it would be like tOSU hiring a new O-Coordinator, having him bring in a 2 star recruit while Michigan gets TP, then going out and losing to PURDUE….

October 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
32

MrRedDevil says:

Resign? RESIGN?!?!

Son, he’s gonna git his ass FARRRRRED!!!!!

- Rammer Jammer’d

October 8th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
33

TPS Reports says:

I’m going to miss Franklin’s Widespread Panic on the plains…

October 8th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
34

Digital Headbutt says:

Well, at least Tony still has his clinics to fall back on…

http://www.tonyfranklinfootball.com/

October 8th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
35

WarDamnEagle says:

New offensive strategy:

1. See the football.

2. Pick up the football.

3. Run the @#$%ing football.

Thank you 8 pound 6 ounce Baby Jesus for this wonderful day…

October 8th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
36

Biggus Rickus says:

WarDamnEagle,

Actually the new offensive philosophy is:

1) Fire OC
2) …
3) Profit!

October 8th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
37

PW says:

they’re still probably gonna beat Bama.

October 8th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
38

Wolf In The Ozarks says:

I’d be tempted to think that maybe..just maybe…Arkansas could win…but they go and fire the reason I had hope. Gonna be a really long year. At least we’ve only lost to “good” teams…nope not making me feel better.

October 8th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
39

WarCardinals says:

@ Biggus:

“…” is a better offensive philosophy than the shittastic hybrid we’ve been running

October 8th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
40

PatDye'sLiver says:

New offensive strategy:

1. See football (And at leat 9 large, insanely fast defensive players in the box)

2. Run the football for no gain.

3. See football (And at least 9 large, insanely fasst defensive players in the box, salivating at the thought of laying the wood to the running back again) Run to the opposite side for little or no gain.

3. See Footbal. Futile attempt to pass football with resulting horrible decision by Noodle-Arm or Blockhead (whomever is in at QB)

4. Punt, if 3 didn’t result in a turnover.

Rinse, Repeat.

Hell, 3 -2 over MSU may look like a shootout.

October 8th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
41

Ted says:

Tubberville: To Tennessee or Clemson?

October 8th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
42

Mr.Pelican Pants says:

PW,
We are gonna hang at least 6 pts for every year that they have beaten us on them for revenge, and thats not counting defensive or special teams TD’s! Yall got first shot before we do, Georgia should be able to do the same since Tubbs will probaly start running the Veer or the Wing T….its too late in the season to fix it, they should have rode it out….I wonder how long it takes for Franklin to write a “tell all” book this time like he did at Kentucky??? And I guess everyone can stop calling the Auburn offense The Tony Franklin Spread Offense(TM)? or the Frankenstein Offense now….And Kodi “I cant believe I’m not the starter so Im gonna have my parents talk to Coach Tubbs or I’ll Transfer” Burns…sheesh….Once Auburn gets some receivers, it will be too late since most of the vaunted D will be in the NFL..

October 8th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
43

sullivan013 says:

Missing in the ‘analysis’ of the Auburn season is that both the LSU and Vandy games were winnable with just one additional scoring drive. Make those two scores and the team is undefeated. 3/4s of the yardage gained by Auburn in the Vandy game were in the first half when the Spread was absent. The play calling used the strength of the line and running backs for 6-8 yards per carry.

There isn’t a lack of talent at Auburn, just the use of it. It falls on the OC to call the plays during the game. Franklin didn’t do that very well beyond last year’s bowl game. He seemed stuck on trying what proved time and again to NOT WORK in game after game, both inside and outside of the SEC. In the case of Vandy, the inferior team won, as anyone who actually saw the game will attest. Auburn squandered it’s advantage by continuing to pursue a non-working game plan. No scheme is worth losing a game over, not in this league.

In any profession, such stubborness leads to only one logical conclusion: you get shown the door.

October 9th, 2008 at 7:48 am
44

Biggus Rickus says:

sullivan,

Missing from yours is the fact that running what you want them to they averaged 335 yards and 24 points last year. With the much maligned spread they have averaged 309 yards and 18 points this year, which when factoring in the shorter games is not all that different. At some point you have wonder about the talent level of the offense.

October 9th, 2008 at 8:02 am
45

sevenDs says:

Actually, the offense is averaging 15.6 pts per game not 18.6, the defense has scored three TDs this year.

We didn’t even need scores late in the game to beat Vandy and LSU, we only needed first downs to control the ball longer. We did get that against Tenn in a critical point of that game.

October 9th, 2008 at 8:49 am
46

Ted says:

#43 Ifs ifs and buts were candy and nuts…..we’d all live in rationalization land.

Tony Franklin or not, Auburn isn’t a very good football team. There is no reason for them to be ranked, other than the brand name and, as Jesse Palmer said, SEC bias.

October 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
47

The Snake will Drive Again! says:

#37 – this is the thing that scares me to death.

#43 – saying we just needed one more scoring drive reminds me of the UGA people telling me that they just ran out of time. Really? So did we. If the first half was 7 minutes longer it would have been 42 – 0.

In the long run this will prove to be a good move for the barn. Franklin is a high school coach at best.

October 9th, 2008 at 10:25 am
48

sevends says:

Tony Franklin fired for not scoring enough.
Mike Price fired for scoring too much.

(My apologies to Mr. Price, but like Bill Clinton, it’s going to follow him a while.)

October 9th, 2008 at 11:29 am