An Open Letter to Auburn University

Posted by TheBisch
December 4, 2008

Dear Auburn University,

Today is a dark day for Auburn Athletics. I am deeply hurt by the events that transpired late yesterday. Auburn University had a good football coach in Tommy Tuberville. In his ten years as the head football coach of the Tigers, he averaged nine wins a season. He won the SEC Championship in 2004 with a 13-0 record – something no other Auburn coach has ever done before. Tuberville beat Bama in six straight games prior to this season. That’s a statement not even Pat Dye, Shug Jordan or Mike Donahue, Auburn’s Hall-of-Famer coaches, can claim.

Tommy Tuberville ran a clean, respectable program. I like the fact that we graduate more players than anyone else. I think it’s great that we have graduate players on our team. What I truly enjoy about Tuberville’s program is that his players don’t sound and act like thugs. Listen to any interview with a player and you will hear that they can speak in complete sentences and formulate intelligent thoughts. They are never “showboaters”: his players always speak well of other teammates – it’s never about just one player. Our players are never involved in criminal activities, unlike certain other teams around the Southeast.

I’ve met Tommy several times at barbecues and Alumni events. He is exactly the same man in person that you see on the field (well, on a good day when the Refs aren’t screwing us). He always has time to stop and chat with his fans and talk about Auburn and Auburn football. I respect him for that. I respect him for the clean team he’s been running for ten years. Auburn has lost a great man.

Today, Jay Jacobs claimed he was “shocked” by Tuberville’s resignation and pleaded with him to reconsider. Then we’re told that his buyout will be paid? Something stinks here, Mr. Jacobs, and it smells an awful lot like Bobby Lowder.

I don’t believe for one second that Tommy Tuberville resigned of his own accord. It’s no secret that Bobby Lowder wanted Tommy gone and now he got his wish. It really disturbs me that the CEO of Colonial Bank has that much power at Auburn. That fact is no secret either and it will severely hurt recruiting a new coach. Who would want to come coach for Auburn knowing that Lowder has that kind of power over the decisions at the Athletics department?

It definitely wasn’t classy that you spoke to other coaches prior to Tuberville’s “resignation”. Yeah, that’s come out in the news. Let’s call this “Jetgate II”, shall we?

This was certainly not the right time to let Tuberville go. Alabama already has the advantage in recruiting and now we’re setting ourselves back at least another four years. Since the “resignation”, I’ve read that four recruits from our 2009 recruiting class have already “de-committed”. Way to go, Jacobs. Way to go, Lowder. You’re ruining Auburn Football for the rest of us.

I have been a season ticket holder as a student or alum since 1994. I have been through the highs and the lows of this program. One thing remains constant: Bobby Lowder’s meddling. I would like to see Bobby Lowder collect his toys and go play micromanager elsewhere. At this point, I would like to see his sock puppet, Jay Jacobs, removed from his position as Athletic Director. Since Jacobs took the reigns, all of Auburn’s sports programs have taken a turn for the worse.

Every fall, I come to Auburn seven times to watch a hero and his “army” win games. For the last ten years, that hero has Tommy Tuberville. I will be watching to see who you pick as Tuberville’s replacement. I don’t expect your new pick to be my new hero. Some early rumors have swirled around Petrino. If that is who you pick, do not expect to receive my Season Ticket renewal for next year. That would be a huge disgrace to Tommy, the players, your fans, and most importantly, Auburn University.

Sincerely,

TheBisch

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