Timing was right on Tubs

Whether it was a resignation or a firing, what happened this week at Auburn needed to happen. The school needed a new football coach, and soon it will get one.

That is the entire issue, period. Regardless of the inevitable national-media criticism and suggestions that Tommy Tuberville and the school parted ways over petty reasons, the decision made by both parties was the right one.

Nobody revels in another human losing his job, at least if they have a decent bone in their body. But this isn’t the average worker on the assembly line trying to save a few dollars for Christmas. Because of Auburn’s belief a decade ago that a mostly unproven commodity could resurrect its football program, Tuberville has been afforded an existence of fame and fortune the likes of which less than one percent of the population in this country enjoys. In other words, he’s set for life, regardless of whether he wants to coach another day or not.

As I have expressed on many occasions in both this space and on my radio show, my belief is Auburn’s program was stale, lifeless and short on talent. Tuberville’s coaching staff appeared to have grown complacent, and his management of the repeated issues that arose in this disaster of a season indicated he might have been in over his head.
Athletics director Jay Jacobs, appearing to be honest and forthright at a tense press conference Thursday, insisted it was Tuberville who initiated his own resignation, saying the coach was tired and needed time away from the game. I believe Jacobs.

What I don’t believe is this had anything to do with Alabama and its resurgence under Nick Saban. Yes, the two schools are always aware of what the other is doing, but to buy into the notion that Auburn forced Tuberville out because the Tide is suddenly winning is ludicrous. The Iron Bowl series, as most others of its type in the country, will generally even out over time. History proves it.

So now Auburn begins the search for a new direction. Jacobs said there would be no restraints financially, saying the school would pay whatever salary necessary to get the right man in place. One suggestion: Confer with the former and current coaches who have Auburn ties and still love the school. From Pat Nix to Pat Dye and everyone in between — Pat Sullivan, Larry Blakeney, Ron Middleton, Tracy Rocker and others — they know more about the profession and the kind of man that would fit in on the Plains than anyone. They might not make a recommendation publicly, but be assured they would privately.

Tuberville deserves some kudos. He ran a clean program, but then, isn’t that like a eulogy that notes the deceased didn’t commit a felony? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? He won some big games most observers thought he had no chance to win, and he had that magical undefeated team of 2004. But didn’t it feature perhaps the most talented offensive backfield in SEC history? Hadn’t the program taken steps backwards ever since? Wasn’t the most accomplished skill-position player on his last squad a walk-on?

It is time to move forward and reunite the Auburn family. It isn’t time to feel sorry for Tuberville, who will likely pop up on television as a studio analyst in the very near future. It is time to revel in the fact that there is now promise, hope and the potential to get back into the role of SEC and national contender. Coaching football is a tough business, but that is exactly what it is, a business. And in this case, the best way to conduct business was utilized.

Phil Paramore’s column appears Tuesday and Friday in The Dothan Eagle. He can be heard weekday mornings from 7-9 on AM 560 WOOF. He can be reached at http://www.woofradio.com.