An idea conceived on a couch four days ago turned into a 60-person march in support of Tommy Tuberville at noon on Tuesday.
Shouts of “War Eagle” and “Bring Tubby Back” could be heard from police-escorted marchers as they walked from the Haley Concourse to the Auburn University president’s mansion.
The march took about 10 minutes.
The end of Tuberville’s tenure at Auburn was announced last week. Although Tuberville resigned, many students believe the former football coach was forced out.
Marchers supported their claims by pointing to a $6 million buyout Tuberville was to receive if he was fired.
AU officials say that Tuberville resigned but that he will get the money because it is “the right thing to do.”
Taylor Jones, a freshman majoring in political science, came up with the idea of the march while sitting on his couch. He spread the idea through Facebook.
“I started it to see how it would go, and it exploded,” he said.
Jay Gogue, AU president, contacted Jones. The president wanted to speak with him before the march, Jones said.
“I’ve gotten nothing but support from the university,” Jones said.
Despite that, Jones said he’s unsure the public was told the truth about the resignation.
“There have been theories that several boosters are behind this,” he said. “It’s too sketchy with them paying his buyout when he resigned ... Everybody here wants him to stay.”
Other students at the march agreed.
“You wouldn’t pay somebody $6 million if you’re resigning,” said Michael Babin, a freshman majoring in wireless engineering. He said the march was a show of support for Tuberville.
As the gathering ended, students began discussing plans for what to do next.
A new Facebook group — “Protest the Tuberville Staff Firings” — was created where like-minded individuals could meet.
“We’re planning on protesting at a trustees (meeting) soon,” Jones said.
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