Franklin fired as Auburn offensive coordinator
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Franklin Leaves AU revision
Franklin Leaves AU revision
Published: October 8, 2008
Updated: October 8, 2008
Tony Franklin has been fired as Auburn’s offensive coordinator a source close to the program told the Opelika-Auburn News on Wednesday afternoon.
Franklin was hired in December of 2007, just a few days after then-AU offensive coordinator Al Borges was let go by head coach Tommy Tuberville.
Franklin, who spent the last two years at Troy, was brought to Auburn to run the spread offense - or the “Tony Franklin System” which has been installed at high school programs across the country.
Franklin’s offense hasn’t lived up to its expectations this season, as the Tigers are 4-2, 2-2 in the SEC.
The university confirmed the firing at 3:44 p.m., issuing a press release stating that Franklin had been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.
Check out Andrew Gribble’s (AU Beat Writer) Blog for his take!
“After evaluating where we are at this point of the season offensively, I felt it was in the best interest of the Auburn football program to make this change,” Tuberville said. “I’m not satisfied with where we are and I am personally going to take a larger role with the offense the remainder of the season. We are going to work harder than ever to make sure we consistently improve as we move forward.”
The offense is near or at the bottom in most offensive categories in the SEC and the country. Auburn ranks 104th in total offense (309.2 yards per game), 105th in pass efficiency (104.98), tied for 111th in red zone offense (65 percent) and 112th in third-down conversions (29.7 percent).
For more, check back to http://www.oanow.com and read Thursday’s Opelika-Auburn News.
Reader Reactions
You “reporters” are a slimy bunch. A fellow just get fired and you put a video of him on the net immediately after of him moving out. One of the lowest point in a man’s career and you guy’s are like vultures. Jerry Springer would be proud of the Opelika-Auburn News. One reason I stopped my subscription years ago. No wonder people have such a low opinion of your chosen field.
Tubs’ scapegoat…plain and simple.
THANK YOU! Thanks big-dollar boosters, thanks Athletic department, and thanks to all the fans who booed your team. Thanks for everyone against change and looking ahead. Thank you for being short-sigted and ignorant. Gee, Franklin couldn’t reinvent the wheel in 6 games. He must suck. Lets forget that NONE of the teams that went to the spread in the last half-dozen years did it in one season. Let us forget too the great recruiting class that we had up this point. Oh, and did anyone notice that we are only half-way through the season? Of course, running the ‘ol fashioned offense worked wonders for us last season. I’m pretty sure we had the same record last year as we do now. Hmmm….
This is really ironic. Tuberville could have done as well to pay a consulting fee to Paul Johnson over at Georgia Tech who is using the spread option very well. Tech ran up 38 points om the same Mississippi State team that Auburn only managed 3 against, and with the same offense, but with mediocre level ACC players. Even Bear Bryant was cool with getting consulting help. He paid Darryl Royal to teach him the wishbone back in the 70’s. Tubs need a humility sandwich to git ‘er done.
GOOD NEWS: Change is coming.
BAD NEWS: 6 weeks to late.
12 different coordinators in 10 years, you do the math.
Bottom line: WIN OUT,or a new GENERAL.
FINALLY!!!!! The people have spoken.
Nuff said.
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