http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news...ni_unhappy_with_tuberville_resignation/49463/
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Students, alumni unhappy with Tuberville resignation
By Greg Phillips
Published: December 3, 2008
John Watson is an Auburn graduate and one of the Tigers’ biggest supporters.
The football team’s indoor practice facility is even named in his honor.
When word reached him Wednesday that Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville had resigned, Watson was disappointed.
“I don’t know if it was the right move or not,” Watson said. “I think Tommy Tuberville’s a great coach, and he’s been good for Auburn. If you talk with the players, I think you’ll find all of them are disappointed he’s leaving. I think we’ll miss him at Auburn, and I wish things could have worked out. Evidently, some people felt otherwise.”
Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver is not one of those people.
Culver, himself an Auburn graduate and season ticket holder, disagreed with the university’s apparent decision to force Tuberville out.
“I’m one of the few, maybe, but I’m not really happy it’s happened,” Culver said. “I think he did a good job at Auburn. I thought they’d make a decision quick, but I’m a little surprised it ended up this way. Thought they’d keep him at least one more year. Everyone’s due one mulligan.”
The news surprised some members of the student body. It also angered some.
“He resigned, or was he fired? I don’t think they should have fired the coach,” said Adam Payne, a junior computer science major. “We’ve had plenty of good seasons, and just because one season happened like that, they shouldn’t have fired him.”
Joseph Murfin, a graduate student working on a masters degree in math, said Tuberville’s leash was too short.
“Actually, I was really surprised by it,” Murfin said. “I know they had been talking about it, but it seems like after the number of succesful seasons he had, they would give him at least one more year. I always thought everybody (on campus) liked him. I’m involved in the band up here, and the band has always liked him.
From everything I’ve heard, he’s easy to get along with. I think it’s going to be a shock to th school that he’s been forced out.”
Other students were even more critical of the move.
“I think it is a stupid decision,” said BJ Neely, a freshman who plays in the band at Auburn. “This is his first losing season at Auburn, and he has more than twice as many wins as losses. You can’t fire the coach and expect the team to get better just like that. They should have given him at least one more year to get things on track before getting rid of him.”
A common concern among students and alumni is the message the resignation sends to future recruits and coaches.
“It does send a bad message. It tells future coaches, “If you come in and have one bad season, we’re going to get rid of you,” Payne said. “If you lose to Alabama, they’ll get rid of you. It doesn’t show confidence. We didn’t lose to Alabama for six years, and we (lost) to a really good (Alabama) team this year, and they fire him and don’t give him a chance.”
Murfin said future coaches should worry about who is making decisions on campus.
“I think a new coach coming into the school might be scared at how much power the Board of Trustees has,” Murfin said. “There was the rumor the trustees were involved in (former offensive coordinator Tony) Franklin’s dismissal, rumors the people in high places with money are the ones calling the shots instead of those who are supposed to be in charge of the university.”
Culver said recruiting could take the biggest hit.
“From what I can tell, Auburn’s on the verge of one of the best recruiting classes they’ve had in a while, so I really hope it doesn’t hurt that,” Culver said.
However, despite fans’ grumblings, Watson said Auburn will survive.
“What I liked about Coach Tuberville is he was more concerned about players getting an education, a good spiritual life and becoming a good person than winning football games, and, unfortunately, that may have been his downfall,” Watson said. “One thing is for sure, though. Whether he stays or leaves, Auburn’s going to be fine. Auburn’s a great school and a great football program.”