Scoop: With Tub in Trouble, is Butch on Horizon?

The winds of change have been set in motion in Auburn, Alabama. Sources at the school tell Football Rumor Mill that Coach Tommy Tuberville’s chances of returning in 2009 look about the same as a Republican takeover of Congress next month.

Saturday’s 22-25 loss to Arkansas may be the beginning of the end for Tub. Talk about irony… Remember “Jet Gate” in 2003? Steve Ensminger was calling the plays for Auburn’s offense and a bunch of trustees wanted to hire then Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino to replace Tuberville.

Fast forward to 2008… Tommy Tuberville fired his latest offensive coordinator earlier in the week (his fifth). Now, he has Steve Ensminger calling his plays and current Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino likely just cost him his job.

Barring a miracle turnaround, it’s hard to see who Auburn beats the rest of the season. Following an off week, the Tigers travel to West Virginia, play at Ole Miss, return home to take on UT-Martin and end the season with Georgia and Alabama. Getting to seven wins would be a season salvaged. Auburn could conceivably finish 5-7. We’re not sure seven wins would be enough to ensure Tuberville’s return. In fact, we’re told he likely has to win at least eight.

Who would replace him? That’s an interesting question. With Petrino likely off the table, next in line would have probably been Florida State OC Jimbo Fisher. However, Fisher was named head coach in waiting for the Seminoles last year. The three names we’ve been hearing are North Carolina Coach Butch Davis, Texas DC Will Muschamp and Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson, whom we consider a long shot.