Seriously, what happened to Auburn?

[Rockfly78]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

 

[K_TIME]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

Alabama's rise above a top tier program to the best program (and maybe we've seen in any historical era) feels like taken wind out of Auburn a bit. Let's be honest....you can't get to SEC champ game unless you beat Bama...so they are blocking them in many aspects.

Also, letting boosters run nuts...it's catching up to them. The Yella wood guy appears to be a problem to work with.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

They won a championship under Chniz or ever how he spells his name, UNC's DC. Gus played for one, but he couldn't develope a QB. Then UGA hired Kirby and they had the 2 best recruiting head coaches within 125 miles of AU. Just hard for them to recruit like they did a few years back.

 

[YaketySax]

I think some of it is natural ebb and flow. For example, remember how bad Alabama between the arrival of Saban and most of the late Stallings' years? Beyond that...

They made several bad coaching hires in a row now. Tuberville had some good years, but also some bad ones that saw him run out of town. Then Gene Chizik was a weird hire since he was bad at Iowa St, but he struck lightning with Cam Newton. After Cam, everything was bad again. Malzahn had one or two terrific years and then not much else. Harsin seems like he's already on a tight leash.

I would think their recruiting has suffered between Alabama and Georgia both being premier programs squeezing their home turf. I haven't looked at the rankings to verify, but I would imagine they've declined since 2010.

It's booster culture is a hive of villainy and scum. They deter good assistant and head coaches from coming, and make life harder on the ones that do. All to live in a small college town when your wife wants to live somewhere nicer that has at least a scintilla of culture to go along with less meddling and pressure from toxic fans/boosters.

I think they'll be good again when they either make a home run hire, or Bama/UGA take a step back from the astral plane and are merely just "very good" programs again.

 

[NavyCat88]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

Bad coaching hires followed by rapid coaching changes. No continuity. Same as Tennessee for the past decade (although Chumley might break the pattern...time will tell).

Booster interference is another issue....they're like "little Texas" in that regard.

Finally....speed of hiring process at AU seems to be very quick, and I think this is an outgrowth of "Lil' Bro" syndrome as it relates to Alabama and their iconic HC Saban. The old adage "if you want it fast badly....you'll get bad fast" is in play here.

AU needs put the boosters in their proper place of support but not control, hire with a plan (style of O vs D....track to improvement, resources, etc.), stick with the plan, and let coaches develop talent and depth for success over time. They might get a little boost from transfer portal and NIL, but I think those elements (although beneficial at times) represent more of a short-term sugar high compared to good program management over the long term under a good HC.

No excuse given their talent-rich location, tradition, and resources.

I'm good with where we are by comparison.

GBB!

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Bama had the lean years because of probation, caused by recruiting violations. Lost multiple scholarships for several years, were limited on how many official visitors they could host. Made a couple bad hires before they got Saban. LSU was the lead dog in the West which was the weaker division back then.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

The Curse of Cam!

 

[KYWC36]

They won a championship under Chniz or ever how he spells his name, UNC's DC. Gus played for one, but he couldn't develope a QB. Then UGA hired Kirby and they had the 2 best recruiting head coaches within 125 miles of AU. Just hard for them to recruit like they did a few years back.

Alabama and Georgia are very talent rich so the areas around them are loaded and Auburn is a national brand- even now so recruiting isn't the issue. In fact, I don't think Hairspray or however you spell his name , even maximizes what he could do. He isn't a great recruiter. The issue is they have made bad decisions in hires, had a rotating door on assistants and coordinators and they allow the boosters too much control. The boosters are quick to pull support and to cause turmoil and it has shown. Not to mention, the current coach has caused his own turmoil and distractions. They are also much like Nebraska and are guilty of being arrogant. Their last two coaches won national titles and both received pretty quick hooks considering they had a title in their belt.

 

[KYCAT78]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

I think what happened to AU is what happened to UL. AU tried to chase the success of Saban and it resulted in lots of bad decisions. UL tried to chase the early success of Cal and it also resulted in lots of bad decisions.

 

[Johnfarrel]

I think some of it is natural ebb and flow. For example, remember how bad Alabama between the arrival of Saban and most of the late Stallings' years? Beyond that...

They made several bad coaching hires in a row now. Tuberville had some good years, but also some bad ones that saw him run out of town. Then Gene Chizik was a weird hire since he was bad at Iowa St, but he struck lightning with Cam Newton. After Cam, everything was bad again. Malzahn had one or two terrific years and then not much else. Harsin seems like he's already on a tight leash.

I would think their recruiting has suffered between Alabama and Georgia both being premier programs squeezing their home turf. I haven't looked at the rankings to verify, but I would imagine they've declined since 2010.

It's booster culture is a hive of villainy and scum. They deter good assistant and head coaches from coming, and make life harder on the ones that do. All to live in a small college town when your wife wants to live somewhere nicer that has at least a scintilla of culture to go along with less meddling and pressure from toxic fans/boosters.

I think they'll be good again when they either make a home run hire, or Bama/UGA take a step back from the astral plane and are merely just "very good" programs again.

The AD that hired Harsin has already been fired. Harsin not only on a short lease, it's a choke collar, and he's tied to a yellow wood post.

 

[trueblujr2]

Alabama's rise above a top tier program to the best program (and maybe we've seen in any historical era) feels like taken wind out of Auburn a bit. Let's be honest....you can't get to SEC champ game unless you beat Bama...so they are blocking them in many aspects.

Also, letting boosters run nuts...it's catching up to them. The Yella wood guy appears to be a problem to work with.

We used to have a pendulum swing here in Kentucky, still do for that matter. when UK was awful, UofL was a solid top 25 team, and when we would get better, UofL would fall to the wayside. right now I think our pendulum is reaching max trajectory as UofL is borderline irrelevant anymore and we're on the verge of establishing ourselves as a legit power. It's hard for both teams in the state to compete at equal levels when you're competing for recruits, etc. I think we see it in South Carolina with Clemson being there too. When Spurrier had SC going pretty good, Clemson was a team we were playing in Music City Bowls.

 

[mrschwump]

Haven't been able to cheat at pre-Cam levels. Think I read once that Auburn has been on probation more than any other school.

 

[Smashcat]

Speaking of programs that have fallen on hard times.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Alabama and Georgia are very talent rich so the areas around them are loaded and Auburn is a national brand- even now so recruiting isn't the issue. In fact, I don't think Hairspray or however you spell his name , even maximizes what he could do. He isn't a great recruiter. The issue is they have made bad decisions in hires, had a rotating door on assistants and coordinators and they allow the boosters too much control. The boosters are quick to pull support and to cause turmoil and it has shown. Not to mention, the current coach has caused his own turmoil and distractions. They are also much like Nebraska and are guilty of being arrogant. Their last two coaches won national titles and both received pretty quick hooks considering they had a title in their belt.

Gus was the OC when they won it, FSU with Jamis beat the when Gus was the head man and played for it.

The thing about Alabama is about 75% of the population are Bama fans. Bama gets about 80% of the instate talent they want. Auburn relied on Georgia kids for most of their top talent. Now other schools are hitting Georgia much harder and kids Auburn normally signed were going elsewhere.

But you are right, their boosters are pretty hands on. The stories they started about the current coach and his family. They flew a plane in to hire Petrino at midnight and they hadn't fired Tubbs yet.

Add the fact that at least 10 SEC schools are currently excited about their coaches. But I think Missouri will be looking for a new one at seasons end. AU may be too, I think he has to go 8-4, maybe 7-5 and not sure he can.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Haven't been able to cheat at pre-Cam levels. Think I read once that Auburn has been on probation more than any other school.

That's true, rules were made because of Bear, Auburn broke them.

 

[Smashcat]

btw. Does Auburn beat Penn State?

 

[CUJO_1970]

Auburn has got a whole lot of Louisville in them. Obsessed with Big Brother and trying to be equal, but never will.

Killed themselves in the process.

 

[Eric4theUKWIN]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

I know right 🤔, great question.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

btw. Does Auburn beat Penn State?

No

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

btw. Does Auburn beat Penn State?

Unless they get better QB play don't think so unless they some turnovers.

 

[SaltyCat22]

btw. Does Auburn beat Penn State?

Depends on Big Ten officiating crew. Should be an easy cover at home. Penn State is a middle of the pack B1G team, and that’s saying something because that conference blows.

 

[hmt5000]

The alumni were at war for control over the program. Different factions buying different players at the same position that didn't fit the system... it just came to head.

 

[GermantownDawg]

A few things, but the main two being:
1. The rise of Bama and Georgia. Auburn used to make a living in South Georgia, but when Richt got to Georgia and especially when Kirby did, it squeezed them out, much like what happened to UT and Atlanta when Richt and Garner got to Georgia.
2. Their board of directors and trustees have WAY too much influence. Very much a good ole boy culture down there. Greene and Harsin bucked it and they didn’t like it…

 

[Fox2monk]

Speaking of programs that have fallen on hard times.

View embedded media

Stoops Troops!

 

[Fox2monk]

A few things, but the main two being:
1. The rise of Bama and Georgia. Auburn used to make a living in South Georgia, but when Richt got to Georgia and especially when Kirby did, it squeezed them out, much like what happened to UT and Atlanta when Richt and Garner got to Georgia.
2. Their board of directors and trustees have WAY too much influence. Very much a good ole boy culture down there. Greene and Harsin bucked it and they didn’t like it…

Georgia is ridiculously good right now. Just a juggernaut.

 

[bbncal02]

Georgia is ridiculously good right now. Just a juggernaut.

That’s because Kirby Smart lives up his legacy. He’s a Sabanite and learned everything he could from him. It apparently stuck.

I would love to pick Sabans brain on stuff. Or attend an open practice for Alabama. Man can lead.

 

[jauk11]

I think some of it is natural ebb and flow. For example, remember how bad Alabama between the arrival of Saban and most of the late Stallings' years? Beyond that...

They made several bad coaching hires in a row now. Tuberville had some good years, but also some bad ones that saw him run out of town. Then Gene Chizik was a weird hire since he was bad at Iowa St, but he struck lightning with Cam Newton. After Cam, everything was bad again. Malzahn had one or two terrific years and then not much else. Harsin seems like he's already on a tight leash.

I would think their recruiting has suffered between Alabama and Georgia both being premier programs squeezing their home turf. I haven't looked at the rankings to verify, but I would imagine they've declined since 2010.

It's booster culture is a hive of villainy and scum. They deter good assistant and head coaches from coming, and make life harder on the ones that do. All to live in a small college town when your wife wants to live somewhere nicer that has at least a scintilla of culture to go along with less meddling and pressure from toxic fans/boosters.

I think they'll be good again when they either make a home run hire, or Bama/UGA take a step back from the astral plane and are merely just "very good" programs again.

I don't know much about their situation but sounds like you have a reasonable analysis.

 

[Bill Bixby II]

When I think of SEC football I always see the teams in tiers. The upper tiers are the cream of the crop in college football. For me I always pictured auburn in that top tier and one of the top ten programs in the nation.

But today auburn has flown under the radar and just stayed their. They have basically sneaked off. I know they are pulling high recruits so what the hell happened to them? Like I have totally forgotten about auburn and it seems the world has too. I honestly don’t know who their coach is at the moment. It’s puzzling.

According to "reports" <make up whatever you want.>

 

[Rockfly78]

According to "reports" <make up whatever you want.>

What the hell are you babbling about Mitch?

 

[Bill Bixby II]

What the hell are you babbling about Mitch?

Just talking about reports

 

[Rockfly78]

Just talking about reports

Dude you’re in the wrong thread. I already replied in the other thread about the reporting of Mitch’s stance on NIL. If you’re gonna chase me around from thread to thread because you feel hurt by something I posted then you’re gonna end up hijacking other threads. Stay on topic weirdo. We can discuss the NIL thing on the NIL thread. Although I already answered your question so what else is there to talk about?

 

[CRZ4UK]

Cam Newton was the start of cheating is OK. His father openly sold him in the transfer market. He was caught red handed and the NCAA let it slide. Same with Cory Maggettie and Duke. These were the infancy of someone like Tom Jurich. Cheating is OK. We can do it and get away with it. Same as the guys who almost bankrupt the country in the housing crisis. If you show some people cheating is OK they will take it to epic proportions.

 

[zwynn10]

Alabama's rise above a top tier program to the best program (and maybe we've seen in any historical era) feels like taken wind out of Auburn a bit. Let's be honest....you can't get to SEC champ game unless you beat Bama...so they are blocking them in many aspects.

Also, letting boosters run nuts...it's catching up to them. The Yella wood guy appears to be a problem to work with.

Agree completely. The Nick Saban era has been dominant in college football certainly in the last 10 - 12 years. Auburn fans/athletic administration believe that they should be on the same level as AL and are, hence, coming up short just about every year in their minds. This has caused AU/ boosters to make rash, reactive decisions in their football program. So, in short, the answer to the question of what happened to Auburn football is Nick Saban at AL.