Well lets just say what most people think about the University of Alabama.  Its football pursuits seem to validate and justify its identity with an uneducated rural population and a symbolic link to the Lost Cause.  That the exploitation of a less-powerful racial group serves to inoculate the U of Ala from pressure to to improve the state or to stimulate change is truly ironic.  Football "success" has stalled its transformation into a modern university with intellectual, aesthetic or humanistic concerns.  The state of Alabama may be last in a lot of things but Bama fans can site to the world that it is first in football.

The Crimson Tide football team is an outlet for the lunatic fringe and their emotions and a gateway for them to be recognized.  Too often though the holy crusade of Bama football acts as an unbrella under which the range of political and social opinion is from Y to Z.  Thus when a university simply reflects the attitudes of its football fans..... it is no longer a university in the true meaning of the word.

The NCAA would actually be doing the University of Alabama a favor by handing down a 'Death Penalty' for its football team.  It will be only then that its faculity, alumni and students will appreciate the scholarship and learning that mark a university with intellectual fiber and integrity.  Until then Auburn will have to carry the burden alone of feeding, clothing, housing, protecting and healing the citizens of Alabama. 

Thank God for Auburn!

Today Auburn University interim president Dr. Vernon Smith announced the resignation on Auburn's athletic director Jay Jacobs. Jacobs had come under fire particularly since hiring Gene Chizik in December, 2008. Coach Chizik resigned after this year's 17 - 3 homecoming loss to Fuman. Of course Dr. Smith is serving as interim president because ex-president Jay Gogue resigned last week to go back into teaching. Dr. Smith is believed to have already contacted Derek Dooley about the AD job at Auburn. Also a search will begin immediately to replace Chizik who leaves Auburn with only five wins in his two years as head football coach.

Coach Gill I feel compelled to apologize to you on behalf of the Auburn family.  I trust you understand that these people (Jacobs, Gogue, Lowder et al) are not representative of the great majority of Auburn men and women.  To reject you for an over-the-hill retread is a decision made by the 'good ole boys' and for the 'good ole boys'.   Please do not judge the rest of the Auburn family by their stupidity. What we get in Coach Chizik is another 'good ole boy' willing to backslap, laugh and genuflect to a few wealthy but incompetent boosters.  You are much better than this. Perhaps your path and Auburn's path will cross again someday. Until then my most sincere apology for this most backward and boneheaded decision. The Auburn family is better than this, please forgive us.  Godspeed Turner Gill!  

Chizik to Auburn cannot possibly be true. The Auburn Creed is tarnished by your actions. Collectively you are proof that you cannot manage, plan or organize a successful football team, athletic department or university. All of you should be ashamed and embarrassed by your actions. You all should be humiliated but somehow I feel that you cannot feel ashamed or embarrassed.

I am outraged by your cowardice, racism and bigotry. I will never send any money to Auburn or allow any of children to matriculate there unless or until Gouge and Jacobs are removed from their jobs. I have taken up for Auburn all my life. Not anymore. I am taking my Auburn diploma off my office wall.

I will never suggest that anyone ever attend Auburn. At every cocktail party, reception, any gathering of any size I will consistently and thoroughly denounce your disregard for Auburn. What could have been Auburn's shining moment, you have made Auburn the subject of ridicule and dismay. Your lack of integrity is only exceeded your backwardness.

First of all I feel compelled to apologize for the Auburn family to Coach Turner Gill. Coach Gill please know these people (Jacobs, Gogue, Lowder et al) do not know what they do. To reject you for Chizik is a decision made by the GOBs and for the GOBs. Please do not judge the rest of us by their stupidity. What we get in Chizik is another 'good ole boy' willing to backslap and laugh at the monied people jokes. You are much better than this. Perhaps your path and Auburn's will cross again someday. Until then my most sincere apology for this most backward and boneheaded decision. The Auburn family is better than this, please forgive us. God speed Turner Gill!

In the off chance that anyone with hiring responsibility (Jacobs, Gogue, BOT, Lowder, PTB et al) might read this, I strongly suggest that either Turner Gill or Rodney Garner be hired. The very best scenario is Coach Gill becomes Auburn's head coach and then he brings Rodney Garner with him. The backup plan should be to offer Coach Garner. Garner is young, knowns the geography, loves Auburn and will surround himself with top shelf assistant coaches. Both coaches have what it takes to make Auburn a championship football program while graduating true student-athletes. Gill and Garner only need the opportunity. And if one or the other is not successful then you will be guilty of nothing but being bold. From that perspective Coach Gill or Coach Garner are the two least risky choices for you. History will remember your decision.

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