SB Nation User Blog: Jay Coulter

Time For A Little Rest and Relaxation...

Jay Coulter — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:54:56 -0000

This week marks our annual vacation here at Track'em Tigers. With most of the country taking the week off, we figured why not us too? Fourth of July week is typically one of the slowest times of the year for Auburn Athletics. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this year will be no different.

We'll return on July 6^th and immediately turn our attention to the season opener with Louisiana Tech. It's hard to believe, but the season is upon us. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday week and weekend. War Eagle from all of us here at Track'em Tigers!

Who Says College Football Is In A Recession?

Jay Coulter — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:50:52 -0000

What recession?

If you own a home or have a 401K you've undoubtedly felt the current recession. If you are in sales you face it every day. People and businesses are scared and keeping their wallets closed. Today, the Alabama unemployment rate is nearing 10 percent according to government records. Many believe the actual total is much higher.

As a backdrop to all of this we get word yesterday that Alabama officials are negotiating a contract extension and raise for football coach Nick Saban. The same thing is being discussed with Bob Stoops at Oklahoma. Before I go any further, this is not a Saban bashing article and I'm not solely going after Alabama. It runs deeper than Bama and Auburn's not immune.

In what's widely accepted as the worst economic times since the Great Depression, we are seeing athletic departments around the country bring in record profits on the backs of fans that can't pay their rent in many instances.

I still remember like it was yesterday, my first Auburn game - October 4, 1975 - Auburn vs. Virginia Tech. Ticket price: $7.00. Today, that wouldn't buy two Cokes in Jordan-Hare. Unfortunately, college football has caught up with its professional brethren in making it nearly impossible for the average family to afford season tickets. Let's face it, most can't afford to take their families to one game.

Is Saban really worth more than $4 million a year? To be fair, is Chizik worth $2 million considering his five wins in two seasons at Iowa State? Truthfully, from an economic standpoint, Saban is probably closer to being worth his salary than Chizik is his paycheck - at least at this point. I believe most of you would grudgingly agree.

But the point is both salaries are insanely ridiculous and to think Alabama and others continue to pile on more money borders on criminal. We are all so accustomed to hearing and reading these salary numbers that we don't stop and think about them in real terms. Birmingham News reporter Ian Rapoport posted a cool salary calculator yesterday that compares any salary to that of Saban's. Looking at it in real terms is mind boggling.

Let's compare Saban's salary to that of someone who makes $50,000 a year. For the record, the average annual family income in Alabama is $40,232 according to The Kaiser Family Foundation. Here's how it shakes out...

If you make $50,000 a year, your hourly wage for a 40-hour work week is $24.04.

If Saban worked 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, his average hourly wage would be $1,923.08.

Each day, you make $192.31, while Saban makes $15,384.62.

Your weekly paycheck is $961.54; Saban's is $76,923.08.

It would take you 80 years to earn what Saban makes in one year.

That's 1.78 lifetimes* to earn the average $4 million that Saban makes each year in his eight-year contract.

I'm as big a capitalist as the next person and many of you are probably saying Saban is worth it because Alabama is willing to pay it. Point taken. But with bigger stadiums, higher paid coaches and huge television contracts, we are running the risk of having an entire generation of kids not get the opportunity to see a game at Jordan-Hare or Bryant-Denny Stadium on a football Saturday.

Is it really worth it?

Bowden Still A Lightening Rod In Alabama

Jay Coulter — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:36:44 -0000

Has it really been 16 seasons since Terry Bowden first came to Auburn?

In the months since Tommy Tuberville's resignation, there have been a lot of stories written about his place in Auburn history. Where does he rank? How will he be remembered? Like the presidency - and I'm in no way comparing the two jobs - it takes years before one can objectively look back and determine where an Auburn coach fits in the history of the program.

Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky wrote two excellent pieces yesterday on former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden. The feature story looks at Bowden's new job as head coach at North Alabama and also takes a peek back at his days on the Plains. In his column, Scarbinsky talks about the parallels to Bowden's hiring at Auburn in 1992 and the surprise pick of Gene Chizik in December.

As shocking as Chizik's hiring was, Scarbinsky argues that it wasn't nearly as surprising as Bowden's arrival at Auburn 16 seasons ago. "Chizik isn't the most unlikely Auburn coach of the postmodern, post-Bear era," writes Scarbinsky. "Chizik isn't even the most unlikely Auburn hire currently coaching in this state. Bowden himself earned and retired that title when, in December of 1992, he traveled down Highway 280 from Samford. A lot of people didn't think he had a prayer."

Bowden's hiring was a surprise. The choice of Chizik was the shock of a lifetime. Maybe that's more of a testament to Tuberville's success than the won-loss records or the level of competition the two coaches in question faced before arriving in Auburn.

Now that 16 seasons have passed since Bowden first arrived on campus and all of the emotion of his success and failures have been given time to age, where does Bobby's son fit in the history of Auburn Athletics?

His tenure is one of the more interesting in Auburn history. Because he didn't even last six seasons, Bowden can never be viewed as anything more than a transitional coach. Yet he guided Auburn to one of only three undefeated seasons in school history. The unbeaten year of 1993 remains the most improbable in Auburn history.

Winning his first 20 games as head coach at Auburn is something that is likely never to happen again in major college football. Had it not been for wide receiver Karsten Bailey inexplicably dropping two key passes in the 1997 SEC Championship Game, Bowden could have laid claim to two conference titles in five seasons (due to probation, Auburn was ineligible in 1993).

Bowden's success came at a time when Steve Spurrier was the toast of the college football world and Peyton Manning was under center at Tennessee. These weren't exactly down years for the SEC.

Critics of Bowden point to his inability to recruit. There's little arguing that by the end of his tenure in 1998, there was not a lot of talent left on campus. Despite winning 10 games the year before, his final team was a shell of what he inherited a few years earlier.

How bad was the 1998 team? Current Major Leaguer Gabe Gross lead the team in passing with 1222 yards and Michael Burks was the leading rusher with 483 yards and no touchdowns. Bowden started the 1998 season 1-5 and abruptly quit the day before the Louisiana Tech game. It was a move that has made him a lightening rod in the state of Alabama to this day.

Many believe the accusations made about him quitting on his team cost him another opportunity in Division 1-A football. To this day, Bowden still insists he made the right move, quitting then rather than waiting to be fired at year's end.

While it's approaching nearly two decades since he first came to Auburn, Bowden remains highly unpopular in Auburn circles. Time has allowed him to get his due for what he accomplished in his early years. Unfortunately for him, the decision to quit on his team halfway through the season will be his lasting legacy among Auburn fans.

Father's Day Edition: Around the Auburn Nation and College Football

Jay Coulter — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:10:52 -0000

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. If you are fortunate enough to still have your father around be sure to call him today and tell him you love him. You'll thank me later. The Birmingham News has a couple of good stories on former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden. As most of you know, Bowden is now running the show at North Alabama. We've got some baseball news courtesy of Plainsman Parking Lot and The Opelika Auburn News has a great profile of Auburn Assistant Coach Trooper Taylor. Check it all out below...

Born again: Prodigal son Terry Bowden renews passion to coach at University of North Alabama - Sports from The Birmingham News - al.com

Scarbinsky: No chance for Chizik? Bowden starred in that movie himself - Scarblog - al.com

AU FOOTBALL: Taylor makes football a family experience | Opelika-Auburn News

Rivals.com College Football - Which conference race is most intriguing?

Secondary violations for Meyer, Gators - SEC - ESPN

Who is the most overrated team this pre-season? : Fanblogs College Football Blog

Auburn Tigers Baseball Blog Plainsman Parking Lot: Quick AU Summer Ball Update

Auburn Tigers Baseball Blog Plainsman Parking Lot: THREE STRIKES:

Tennessee's Tragic Trio: Stallworth, Little, Goodrich -- NCAA Football FanHouse

Paul Finebaum | Leaving Best Thing For Moore

$19 million in the hole, karmic victim Kosar could use some slings and arro... - NCAA Football - Rivals.com

Around the Auburn Nation and College Football...

Jay Coulter — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:26:59 -0000

Good Saturday morning to you. Let's hope the heat here in East Alabama breaks somewhat between now and September 5th. Temperatures in Auburn are expected to reach 100 degrees today. If we're lucky, maybe it'll get down to a cool 90 degrees by kickoff with Louisiana Tech.

There's a lot good stories floating around the internet today, including one of the nicest tributes I've ever read. The Opelika-Auburn News talks with Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines and others about the impact late Auburn Swimming Coach Richard Quick had on their lives. Smart Football looks at Gus Malzahn's offense and Chris Low at ESPN goes through his SEC mailbag. These stories and more are just a click away...

SZVETITZ COLUMN: Quick left behind legacy of love, leadership to all who knew him | Opelika-Auburn News

AU BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Tigers pick up another JUCO signee | Opelika-Auburn News

Officials looking to bring new bowl game to Cotton Bowl Stadium

The "Hype" Myth - Red Cup Rebellion

SEC mailbag: No title for Gamecocks yet - SEC - ESPN

Awful Announcing: Yes, Chris Berman Will Soon Have A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Switzer moves on 20 years after leaving Oklahoma - College Football - Rivals.com

Smart Football: The Gus Malzahn/Auburn Tigers run game

WAR EAGLE EXTRA: Jacksonville State will be future football opponent

Auburn athletics department plans to endow professorships, scholarships - The Auburn Beat - al.com

The Joe Cribbs Car Wash: The Works, Friday-style

Hope and concern: Auburn - SEC - ESPN

Ten College Football Personalities We Can Do Without

Jay Coulter — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:30:04 -0000

Make it stop!

Today we continue looking at the best and worst television personalities in college football. Many of you had some great comments from Monday's post and pointed out a few good ones that were left off the list - Jill Arrington being the biggest omission.

We'll finish up by looking at the ten worst television personalities in college football. By my judgment these are a few of the big names we could all do without. As always, feel free to jump in and give your two cents.

Here goes...

Gary Danielson - The former Purdue and Detroit Lions quarterback has always seemed like a strange choice for SEC football. Taking over for Todd Blackledge after he bolted for ESPN, the CBS color analyst struggles to relate to southern viewers. Maybe it's his Big 10 upbringing or his northern accent. Whatever it is, it just doesn't play in Dixie. While Blackledge has bonded with SEC fans, Danielson is just not a fit.

Kirk Herbstreit - When Herbstreit initially took over for Craig James on College GameDay, he seemed to be the perfect replacement. He knew his football and came across as a guy you wanted to have a beer with and watch the game. As his popularity has grown, the more pompous the former Ohio State quarterback has become. These days he's plain nauseating to watch.

Holly Rowe - Some things in life you just can't explain. Holly Rowe fits in that category. How she continues to get the top games as sideline reporter on ESPN ahead of Erin Andrews and Bonnie Bernstein is one of the great mysteries of television. It's a question that many drunken men have asked themselves on Saturday nights in the fall.

Spencer Tillman - The former Oklahoma Sooner star wears more makeup on set than Boy George did in 1986. Serving as Tim Brando's sidekick on the CBS College Football Show, Tillman's comments are often overshadowed by his unusual look. Lose some of the makeup Spencer and you may work your way off the list next season.

Lou Holtz - It's still hard to believe this guy won a national championship at Notre Dame and is a best selling author. Believe it or not kids, in his day he really was credible.

John Saunders - Very few Canadians can do college football right. Saunders joins former Florida quarterback Jesse Palmer as a north of the border strikeout. As studio host for the ABC College Football Pregame Show, Saunders teamed up with former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden to create one of the worst duos in sports history. Thankfully, the network took mercy on its fans and exiled Bowden a few years back. Unfortunately, Saunders remains.

Pam Ward - The Maryland graduate holds the distinction of having the most annoying voice in all of college football. Serving as play-by-play person for ESPN's early Big 10 telecasts on Saturday afternoon, she's been called a pioneer. Others just call the experiment a train wreck. Hasn't the Big 10 been through enough already?

Mark May - Is there a more bland voice in all of college football? One of the hot new drinking games on college campuses these days is to take a shot of liquor every time May references his playing days at Pittsburgh. I believe Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days was written with him in mind.

Andre Ware - Nothing says "this game sucks" more than seeing Ware as part of the broadcast team. Maybe the former Heisman Trophy winner is not so bad. I guess if I was tasked with talking about Syracuse and Buffalo every week, I'd be just as boring. Ware makes the list, but just barely. There's still hope for the old Houston quarterback.

Desmond Howard - Simply put, the former Michigan great is just plain bad. Of all the talent out there, how ESPN settled on him to be the fourth man on its franchise college football show is beyond me. Who would have thought that Heisman pose in Ann Arbor back in 1991 would be a gravy train for years to come?

Ten Television Personalities That Make College Football Great

Jay Coulter — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:19:29 -0000

The best to ever walk the sideline? Without question.

My wife likes to joke that Chris, Kirk and Lee of ESPN GameDay moves in with us in late August and refuses to leave until early January. There's a lot of truth to that statement. When you stop and think about it, the television personalities that invade our homes during college football season play a big role in our enjoyment of the game. There are those that we love to hate, those that we love to look at and some that actually make intelligent conversation.

I've given it some thought and come up with my top ten favorite college football television personalities. They are ranked in no particular order. These are the people who play a big role in making college football great. On Friday, I'll share my list of the 10 least favorite college football television personalities. How does my list compare to yours?

Here goes...

Chris Fowler - He's hands down the best studio host in the history of college football. In a lot of ways, he's the voice of college football, coming into our homes to kickoff the college football weekend each Saturday morning. Fowler is without question the most talented of the three ESPN GameDay personalities.
Rece Davis - He's an Alabama graduate and one of the best. His College Football Final show on ESPN at midnight Saturday is mandated viewing for all true fans. He works more than any other studio host, doing live cut-ins from early afternoon to after midnight. Should Fowler leave, Davis is next in line for his seat.
Erin Andrews - She's hands down the best looking person to ever grace a college football sideline. This Florida graduate gets better looking each year. She's the only person on the planet that can make a Vanderbilt-Miss State game must see TV.
Todd Blackledge - Who would have guessed that a former Penn State quarterback could become an SEC favorite? He's the best color analyst in the game and his Todd's Taste of the Town turns good, hole in the wall restaurants into major tourist attractions around the country.
Vern Lundquist - Admittedly, Lundquist is an acquired taste. For the first two or three seasons on CBS Sports he was a train wreck. He's still not great today. But now that he's been around for so long, it's hard to imagine him not calling games on Saturday afternoon. As for his partner, Gary Danielson, that's another story completely.
Ron Franklin - The biggest mistake ESPN ever made was taking Franklin away from the Saturday night SEC broadcasts. For my money, he's the best play-by-play man in the business when it comes to the SEC. The Ole Miss graduate is rarely seen these days, often being relegated to second-tier games on ABC Sports.
Tim Brando - The Louisiana native brings college football to the mainstream with his weekly national radio show and continues to anchor CBS Sports coverage of the SEC. His stock has dropped in the last year because of weekly appearances on The Paul Finebaum Radio Show. More than once, he's lost his cool with callers and seems reluctant to accept the changing media landscape.
Bonnie Bernstein - Not as widely known as Andrews, Bernstein made her way over to college football on ESPN after a stint as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports. The Maryland graduate has the brains and the football knowledge to go with her incredibly good looks.
Lee Corso - The man everyone loves to hate gave fans a scare this off-season when he suffered a mild stroke. Sure his logic is nuts and his picks are rarely on target, but College GameDay would just be another show without him. Let's hope he's around for many years to come.
Brent Musburger - If the phrase, "You are looking live," doesn't send chills down your back then you are not a true college football fan. Musburger stepped in for legendary play-by-play man Keith Jackson a few years ago and has kept the ABC Sports franchise going strong. Let's hope the new SEC contract with ESPN means more opportunities for Musburger to call games down South.

Sunday Edition: Around the Auburn Nation and the SEC

Jay Coulter — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:04:01 -0000

Good Sunday morning to you. Looking around the internet today there's a good interview with Auburn Basketball Coach Jeff Lebo, who tells the Opelika-Auburn News that he's still not over being snubbed by the NCAA. Athlon's does a profile on Gene Chizik and ESPN makes a push for Auburn to face Notre Dame. Check out the links below...

Fantasy 2009 nonconference matchups better than the reality - ESPN

AU HOOPS: Lebo still fuming over NCAA snub | Opelika-Auburn News

New coaches: Army and Auburn - AthlonSports.com

AU FOOTBALL: Jacobs may still come to Plains | Opelika-Auburn News

Nonconference duels now a dying breed - Solomon's Wisdom - al.com

SportingNews.com - Playoff burden not breaking Campbell's back

SPORTS by BROOKS " Creepy Jr. High Football Recruiting Site To Launch

Gator Clause - You've got to have thugs to win football games

Signee Dre Kirkpatrick still needs coursework to be eligible at UA - The Bama Beat - al.com

If Bama doesn't clean up, it can say goodbye to Saban | Jeff Schultz

Around the Auburn Nation and the SEC...

Jay Coulter — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:45:44 -0000

It's a pretty quiet weekend on the college football front with the exception of all the whining taking place to the northwest of us. There are some good stories floating around the world wide web this morning. ESPN does an interesting ACC vs. SEC Mythical challenge. My friend Joel over at Rocky Top Talk looks at the Alabama situation and gets reaction from others around the South. Former Auburn assistant Don Dunn has a new gig and The Auburn Beat talks with Tiger basketball coach Jeff Lebo. Check out the links below...

Premature Assessments: Auburn's world turned upside down, one more year - D... - NCAA Football - Rivals.com

NCAA punishes Alabama with double-whammy: an asterisk and a footnote - Rocky Top Talk

PREP FOOTBALL: Former AU assistant Dunn hired at Auburn High | Opelika-Auburn News

Richard Quick Memorial Service / Memorial Fund Information - AUBURN OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Recruiting, summer camps continue at Auburn; could Brandon Jacobs be back on the radar? - The Gold Mine - al.com

Special teams coach Boulware brings a lot to the Tigers' table | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

The Joe Cribbs Car Wash: Krootin' links

Interview with Jeff Lebo: The coach on the tournament, schedules and even some football - The Auburn Beat - al.com

Fla. attorney general to NCAA: Release FSU letter or face penalties - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com Live Scores, Standings, Stats

'Bama offers textbook proof that rulebook no longer the rule - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com Live Scores, Standings, Stats

Video: ACC vs. SEC Mythical Challenge - SEC - ESPN

Never Happened...

Jay Coulter — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:23:32 -0000