SZVETITZ COLUMN: Finding 'right fit' paramount for Jacobs, AU

Now, the real season begins.

The search for Tommy Tuberville’s replacement is off and running.

How fast will it go? How big will it get? How much will it take?

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs says there’s no limit.

Whatever it takes to get the “right fit for the team.” Whatever it takes to get the “right fit for this university.” Whatever it takes to get the “right fit for the Auburn family.”

Those are the criteria Jacobs and his staff will be looking for when hiring Auburn’s next football coach.

That, and someone who can win. A lot. Because winning, in this business, is everything. And sometimes even that’s not enough.

No price is too big. No search is too long. No mountain is too high. No valley too low. No … well, you get the point.

“We will not limit ourselves to anyone,” Jacobs said.

And they shouldn’t.

This is Jacobs’ defining moment as Auburn’s AD. This is Auburn’s defining moment as a program.

Jacobs talks about how his goal is to make Auburn the preeminent athletics department in the country. Well, it starts with the football program. It starts with the head coach. It starts with the face of the franchise. It starts with whomever Auburn hires.

And that starts with Jacobs.

Tuberville did wonders for this athletic program. Not just the football team, but the entire university. Winning like he did, taking the Tigers to the SEC Championship and a BCS bowl — plus the seven other bowl-trip seasons — brought in a lot of national exposure (which is good for recruiting) and money (which is good for everyone).

And now, it’s up to Jacobs to continue that by hiring a head coach who can raise the bar.

And he knows it.

He knows that Tuberville played an enormous role in putting Auburn at the forefront. The perfect 2004 season and the NFL Draft to follow the next April elevated Auburn to heights never seen before.

That’s why Jacobs will spare no expense to regain that momentum. It’s also why this job is going to be so sought after.

“Because of the success Tommy Tuberville has built,” Jacobs said. “Competing in the SEC, competing for SEC and National Championships and being able to mold young men.”

Jacobs has carte blanche. Whatever he needs to do or spend to get the “right” fit for Auburn is paramount.

There are no mulligans with this search. There’s no “let’s see if this one works.” It’s a home run or it’s a strikeout. And in the SEC, it’s a lot easier to swing and miss. That’s why this hire is so crucial.

And, again, Jacobs knows that.

“Financially, we will not have any constraints,” Jacobs said. “This league has stepped it up. The tree has gotten a lot taller and has gotten a lot more competitive. We are going to hire someone that is equally competitive.”

And it’s not just about the money. It’s about the perception, especially in this state. Everyone wants a rock star. Everyone wants the “next best thing.” Everyone wants a winner.

But sometimes, it doesn’t take someone in sunglasses and a boa, arriving in a stretch limo, to deliver the desired results.

It takes someone who works hard and can get the most out of the resources he’s given. It takes someone who will “fit” in.

That’s who Jacobs will be looking for.

And it’s going to take time.

So let the search begin. We’ll all be watching.

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at mszvetitz@oanow.com or 737-2513.