NCAA Football NEWS
Tuberville A Master At “Coach Speak”
Published by MoonDog on October 9, 2008
Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin was fired on Wednesday, less than a week after Tigers head coach Tommy Tuberville was on ESPN touting Franklin and praising the spread offense he implemented.
Auburn Fired Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin on Wednesday
Tuberville said he’s not satisfied with the lack of progress being made and felt it was time to make a change. Auburn is ranked 104th nationally among FBS teams, averaging 322 yards per game.
Franklin was hired last year prior to the Tigers appearance in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl, replacing Al Borges. Tuberville has been through five offensive coordinators in the past 10 years.
Tuberville told The Associated Press that Franklin’s dismissal is “not going to change our philosophy. This is a good offense. Our guys like it. They understand it. They’re getting better at it.”
Let me get this straight; Tuberville claims Auburn has a good offense and his players understand it, but he fires the person who installed it. If it’s a good offense, then why fire Franklin?
Head coaches quite often have to make the assistants they hire look like geniuses, because it makes the head coach look like a genius for making the hire.
In Tuberville’s case, he had to cover his tracks when terminating Franklin’s employment by citing a lack of production. But Auburn’s offensive woes don’t have anything to do with Franklin.
The Tigers simply don’t have the type of players needed to run the spread offense. Tuberville has recruited players that are more suited for Borges’ offense, a run oriented attack.
Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville
Last season Auburn averaged 349 yards per game, good for 98th nationally. Considering Tuberville fired Borges because his offense had become stagnant, it makes you wonder what the real problems are.
Tuberville can hire a hundred offensive coordinators but it’s not going to do any good. Auburn’s problem can be isolated to the most important position on the field - quarterback.
While it’s not a lack of effort or ability, Chris Todd and Kodi Burns have struggled this season. That shouldn’t come as a surprise though, with Tuberville changing offensive coordinators like the rest of us change socks.
When you think of the spread option offense and the perfect quarterback to run it, what players do you think of?
Pat White and Tim Tebow come to mind. Their ability to run and pass is exactly what Auburn doesn’t have.
Todd isn’t much of a runner and Burns isn’t much of a passer, and that doesn’t bode well when your offense predicates your quarterback being proficient at both.
In the end, this wasn’t about Franklin. This was a situation where Tuberville fired the person perceived to be the reason for the Tigers poor offensive showing through six games.
Moreover, Tuberville had to make a decision that would silence his critics and appease the Tigers fan base. Firing Franklin accomplished that, at least until Auburn lines up against Arkansas on Saturday.
But it doesn’t accomplish the real reasons why Auburn has struggled offensively, and to figure that out, all Tuberville has to do is look in the mirror.
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David Funk on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 10:44
I agree. The problems with Auburn’s offense starts at the quarterback position. The decision to keep changing OCs has kept them from progressing. It also makes it tougher from a recruiting standpoint with changes constantly being made on offense.
Nice post MoonDog.
tophatal on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 12:18
Moon Dog
I suppose this is Tubberville’s way of saying I don’t want to be the one at the end of the day to take the blame for this mess ? I’d have thought that it starts and ends with the decisions made by the coach to begin with. And even with Franklin’s firing. Who’s to say that things’ll improve ?
tophatal ……………..
MoonDog on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 15:47
You hit the nail on the head Top. That’s exactly what he’s doing. I have a lot of respect for Tuberville because the guy wins games. But Auburn would have trouble offensively regardless if they fired Franklin or not.
NESW Sports Headlines 10/10/2008 | NESW Sports, Sports Videos on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 00:01
[...] Tuberville talks Coach < Moondog Sports [...]
TNBMatt on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 07:59
Moon,
Congrats on the With Leather link!!
Matt
TNB
MoonDog on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 08:06
My specter of influence continues to grow. Soon, the World will be According to MoonDog.
LOL. Yea, right.
Thanks dude.
SECForever on Sun, 12th Oct 2008 07:07
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you. The problem isn’t at the Offensive Coordinator position. That much is true. However, the problem is not the quarterbacks’ fault either. What has been the one constant through all of Auburn’s ups and downs over the last decade? That’s right: Tubs. His poor leadership, lack of recruiting, and lack of skill in knowing what to do with his players are all finally coming home to roost. While Fulmer will be gone at the end of this season, I imagine Tubs’ seat will get extremely warm when Alabama defeats them this year at the Iron Bowl. For the love of Christ, even ARKANSAS beat Auburn, and they haven’t beaten ANYBODY worthy of note this year. Losing to a team whose only wins coming into the contest were squeakers against Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe? OUCH! As an Alabama fan, we have nothing to fear from the All-Bum Kittens.