Muschamp, Spurrier have not been offered Auburn job

The Opelika-Auburn News has learned that neither Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp nor South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier will be named the new head coach at Auburn today.

That nullifies reports you can find here and here that say otherwise. The Muschamp story even went as far to say a press conference would be held today.

I am a member of the working media and have yet to hear of such gatherings. There are no flights from Austin, Texas due in to Auburn today, either.

Neither stories have any validity whatsoever.

I was hesitant to address these rumors last night because that’s all they are. If I took the time to dismiss every single rumor I’ve heard up to this point, then there would have already been 24 posts about why Bill Cowher will not be the next coach at Auburn.

Let’s start with Muschamp, Auburn’s former one-year, fan-favorite defensive coordinator.

Muschamp told multiple Web sites late last night that his story was absolutely false. ESPN, which picked up the story and really gave it some legs, has just reported that Texas spokesman John Blanco said “Muschamp has not and will not interview for the Auburn job.“

“I have not talked to Auburn about this job and I have no interest in the job,” Muschamp told Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I really don’t know what else to say. I’m going to stay at Texas until they fire me.”

As for the Ole Ball Coach, it looks like he’s pretty content in Columbia. Here’s what he had to say at an Outback Bowl banquet Thursday, courtesy of GamecockCentral.com.

“There’s nothing to that,“ Spurrier said. “It’s amazing how some of that stuff gets started.

“The Auburn one? Is that the one you’re talking about? Yeah, that one jumped out of nowhere. It’s interesting how anybody can almost start a rumor, I guess.

“It’s really complimentary, I guess, that they still think I’m good enough to coach at those places, or whatever, it is a compliment, but I’ve said many times that this is my last coaching job, at South Carolina. We’re going to try and see if we can’t do something real good.“

UPDATE: Here’s an official statement from Muschamp, which was just released by Texas.

“I have not interviewed for any jobs. I’m not interested in any jobs. I’m happy here, my family loves Austin and I’m going to be at Texas.“

Day 8 roundup—Planes, statements and more no comments

This was by far the most exciting day of Coach Search ‘08. That still doesn’t mean I’d like to see Auburn’s new coach later rather than sooner.

Enjoy the wrapup. I’m going to enjoy my couch for the rest of the night.

Athletic director Jay Jacobs and members of the Auburn leadership team touched down Thursday evening around 5:55 p.m. at the Robert G. Pitts Airport in Auburn, returning from a daylong trip to Fort Worth, Texas, where they reportedly interviewed Texas Christian’s Gary Patterson.

Auburn was scheduled to interview the eight-year Horned Frogs head coach sometime Thursday, according to ESPN.com. TCU is located in Fort Worth.

Jacobs, associate athletic directors Mark Richards and Tim Jackson and Auburn radio sideline reporter Quentin Riggins popped their heads out of the plane before immediately boarding an SUV, which was waiting for them on the tarmac. Jackson took over the wheel and zipped the party away down the opposite end of the runway and out of the airport parking lot.

TCU has not commented on Patterson’s suspected flirtation with other jobs.

The administrators opted not to use one of Auburn’s jets, instead flying on an 8-passenger jet registered to Warren Manufacturing Inc. The Birmingham-based company sells agricultural vehicles and trailers.

The group departed Thursday morning from Auburn at 5:44 a.m., according to FlightAware.com. Originally scheduled to leave Fort Worth at 3 p.m., the chartered jet did not take off until 4:07 p.m., making for a roughly eight-hour stay.

Patterson has racked up 72 victories in eight seasons with the Horned Frogs, including five seasons of 10 or more wins. TCU went 10-2 this season and is set for a date with undefeated Boise State in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

Patterson, 48, got his coaching career started 26 years ago at Kansas State. He was the defensive coordinator for two seasons at New Mexico State before arriving at TCU for the 1998 season. He was named head coach at TCU before the Mobile Alabama Bowl in December 2000, replacing Dennis Franchione, who left to become head coach at Alabama.

Another potential Auburn candidate, East Carolina coach Skip Holtz, issued a statement Thursday to take his name out of the running for the opening at Syracuse. He did not, however, take his name out of contention for other possible openings.

“While it is always flattering for others to have an interest in your abilities, I simply am too focused on our preparations for the bowl game and many other of our short and long-term goals to fairly evaluate what I feel is a promising situation at Syracuse,” Holtz said in the statement. “I appreciate Syracuse’s interest but that certainly is a direct reflection on what our players, coaches and the Pirate Nation have been able to accomplish, especially through a season that featured so much adversity.“

A spokesman at ECU said Auburn had not sought permission to speak with Holtz.

ESPN, citing multiple unnamed sources, reported late Thursday that New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone has accepted the Syracuse job.

Buffalo coach Turner Gill, who interviewed for the Auburn job early in the week, was considered near the top of the list for the job at Syracuse.

“Maybe my work is done here, I don’t know that,“ Gill said Thursday at a news conference to promote the International Bowl in Toronto—hours before Syracuse reportedly hired Marrone—according to the Associated Press. “There’s some things that are probably going to happen, but I don’t know when.“
Three Auburn freshmen make All-SEC

Punter Clinton Durst, linebacker Spencer Pybus and defensive back Neiko Thorpe were named Thursday to the SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Football Team.

Durst, a walk-on who had never played football until making the team at Auburn, ranked third in the SEC and 26th nationally in punting, averaging 42.1 yards per kick. He placed 18 kicks inside the 20-yard line and forced 22 fair catches.

Durst was one of just four unanimous selections to the team.

Pybus, a Dothan native, played in all 12 games for Auburn, and finished the season with 14 tackles (seven solo, seven assists). He also had one tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry. He had a season-high three tackles against both Tennessee and Arkansas.

Thorpe, who played much more than expected in light of junior cornerback Jerraud Powers’ nagging hamstring injury, saw action in 11 games, including a start against Arkansas. He collected 29 tackles (20 solo, nine assists) and intercepted passes against Arkansas and UT Martin, returning them for a combined 101 yards.

Auburn was one of six SEC schools to put at least three players on the SEC’s All-Freshman Team.

Jacobs, Auburn leadership team spotted at Auburn airport

Athletic director Jay Jacobs and members of the Auburn leadership team touched down Thursday evening around 5:55 p.m. at the Robert G. Pitts Airport in Auburn, returning from a daylong trip to Fort Worth, Texas.

Jacobs, associate athletic directors Mark Richards and Tim Jackson and Auburn radio sideline reporter Quentin Riggins popped their heads out of the plane before immediately boarding an SUV, which was waiting for them on the tarmac. They zipped away quickly, as gathered reporters could only watch the unnecessarily dramatic exit.

The SUV returned 15 minutes later to drop off the men at their respective vehicles.

According to multiple reports Thursday, Jacobs and friends interviewed TCU head coach Gary Patterson. Conveniently, TCU is located in Fort Worth.

The result of tonight’s escapade, of course, was your basic no comment on today’s suspected interview with Patterson. TCU has gone to much less exotic, but still frustrating, lengths of issuing a no comment. Repeated phone calls and e-mails were not returned.

The plane, registered to Warren Manufacturing Inc. in Birmingham, departed Thursday morning from Auburn at 5:44 a.m., according to FlightAware.com. Originally scheduled to leave Fort Worth at 3 p.m., the chartered jet did not take off until 4:07 p.m.

That’s quite a lengthy interview, in my opinion. Or maybe they just found a great place for lunch.

Holtz officially out of the mix at Syracuse

Here is the as-promised statement from East Carolina coach Skip Holtz. He’s done talking about Syracuse, but he didn’t exactly say he is done interviewing elsewhere.

“While it is always flattering for others to have an interest in your abilities, I simply am too focused on our preparations for the bowl game and many other of our short and long-term goals to fairly evaluate what I feel is a promising situation at Syracuse. I appreciate Syracuse’s interest but that certainly is a direct reflection on what our players, coaches and the Pirate Nation have been able to accomplish, especially through a season that featured so much adversity.“

Tommy Tuberville’s official letter of resignation

The Opelika-Auburn News has acquired the official letter of resignation Tommy Tuberville filed last Wednesday.

Here’s the PDF. Here it is word for word.

Mr. Jay Jacobs
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Athletics Complex
CAMPUS

Dear Jay:

This letter will confirm our recent conversations about my status as Head Football Coach. After long consideration, I have decided to resign. I understand that, notwithstanding my resignation, the University will make a total payment of $5,083,334 as outlined in Section 21 of my contract. I also understand that the structure and timing of the payments may be modified by mutual agreement.

I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve as Head Coach at Auburn and will continue to support Auburn’s Athletic Program in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Tommy Tuberville

Here’s Section 21 of Tuberville’s contract.

21. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT BY AUBURN:

Should Auburn elect to terminate this Agreement without just cause (“Just Cause” being failure to comply with the provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 above or the Personal Conduct Clause set forth below) then Auburn will be liable to Coach for the payment of liquidated damages in the amount specified next to the calendar years listed below. Pro rata payments shall be made for partial years. The following chart illustrates the liquidated damages (“Buy-Out Amount”) which may become due from Auburn under the provisions of this Paragraph:

Calendar Year/Buy-Out Amount

2005/$7,000,000
2006/$7,000,000
2007/$6,000,000
2008/$6,000,000
2009/$5,000,000
2010/$4,000,000
2011/$3,000,000

The Buy-Out Amount shall be paid in the event of termination of the Contract by Auburn to Coach in two equal payments, the first of which shall be due thirty (30) days from the date Auburn terminates this Agreement under the provisions of this Paragraph, and the second of which shall be due on the anniversary of such termination date. Payment of the Buy-Out Amounts by Auburn under this Paragraph will satisfy fully and discharge completely any and all obligations which Auburn has to Coach under this Agreement, including but not limited to, payments that have been earned or accrued, but not yet paid.