re: #tAuburnBasketball Thread

If they had something on Pearl, he’d be gone. No reason to have to interview him if they had proof of anything. This is a pissing match and power play by the President.

Is the Person thing what makes them want to clean house? That’s the part I’m not getting.

quote:

---

My guess is that Leath was just fed up with the AD being one scandal after another, embarrassment of AU legend being the cause, previous investigations (softball) that failed to unearth major problems, and that he wants a resolution to the BBall scandal so new AD doesn't have it on their plate

---

Yea, I don't know if I can really blame Leath right now for his attitude. I mean, do we need to bring up all our threads about the AD when all the scandals broke, and we have to responsibility over the AD. You have that much shite go down in one department of your company, you're going to have a no tolerance policy. An employee decides not to cooperate (even with legit reasons), there isn't much you can do. I'm not saying he couldn't have handled this better, but at some point the buck has to stop and answer have to be found.

The situation sucks, don't get me wrong, but my ultimate anger is still going to reside with JJ and our AD.

quote:

---

An employee decides not to cooperate (even with legit reasons), there isn't much you can do. I'm not saying he couldn't have handled this better, but at some point the buck has to stop and answer have to be found.

---

First, Auburn does not acknowledge that Bruce has 'legit reasons' from a legal perspective, which seems to be a huge part of the problem. It appears they are pretty bitter and allowing it to affect their interactions, as right/wrong pressing their case is expensive legal battle


I'm totally with you that firing Bruce isn't a damning move. What Auburn appears to try and be doing is reduce public outcry about firing Bruce + avoid buyout.

While I get that being attractive it isn't realistic. It is like going into a divorce trying to bleed your soon to be ex spouse dry. All you are going to accomplish is a long drawn out messy divorce

Frankie Sullivan Rivals Article

quote:

---

"Failing to explain to Frankie why he's been suspended is extremely unusual and very frustrating," said Ted Mann, a Birmingham attorney who is representing Sullivan. "All he has right now is a letter that explains nothing."

---

quote:

---

Henry Gimenez, a partner with Lightfoot, Franklin & White, a Birmingham-based firm retained by Auburn to assist its investigation into former associate head coach Chuck Person, requested to interview Sullivan in October. Sullivan agreed. A few days later, Sullivan sat down with Gimenez and answered questions with Mann in attendance.

The interview ended, Mann said, without a hint of trouble.

---

quote:

---

"Frankie saw nothing and heard nothing that could be considered an NCAA violation, an SEC violation or a breach of Auburn policy," Mann said. "Nothing said in that interview should lead to a suspension."

---

quote:

---

Mann declined to provide a summary of Gimenez's questions because he said both parties agreed to keep the meeting confidential.
To that end, Mann was shocked by an ESPN.com report published Nov. 13 that indicated Sullivan's suspension was "related to the same type of issues that the FBI uncovered in its investigation of former Tigers associate head coach Chuck Person."

---

quote:

---

"....This is supposed to be a confidential process. That's what they requested."

---

quote:

---

"Two members of the men's basketball support staff were suspended with pay earlier this week by the Auburn Athletics Department," Keeter wrote Friday evening. "Both were informed that Auburn uncovered potential violations of university policy. As the investigation unfolds, they will have the opportunity to respond.

---

Frankie Sullivan article from 247


Interesting quotes not included in the above Rivals article

quote:

---

Sullivan retained the Birmingham-based lawyer when the university advised staffers and players that they had the right to retain counsel as Auburn initiated an independent investigation into the Chuck Person scandal.

---

quote:

---

Mann has guided Sullivan through the process and sat alongside the former Auburn player and team captain as three lawyers from Lightfoot, Franklin & White interviewed him in mid-October.

---

quote:

---

In the last two weeks, Mann has repeatedly request a list of the rules violations or university policy violations Auburn contends supports the suspension.

---

quote:

---

He described Auburn’s actions in this case as highly unusual given the grievance process requires the employee to respond to the university’s claims within 45 days of the disciplinary action. Mann can’t file a grievance without knowing the reasons for the suspension.

---

quote:

---

“I’ve never seen an employer refuse to provide an explanation as to why they took an action to either suspend or terminate an employee,” Mann said

---

quote:

---

“He’s a young guy, he wants to be a coach. He doesn’t want this to adversely stain his career. We think it’s only fair in our system of justice so to speak that he be apprised of whatever it is they claim that justified his suspension. We are still waiting. We have no reply.”

---

Can we repost sleazth’s email again? I haven’t contacted yet? Thanks

Jay Tate afternoon update:

Some "good" news to share from an Auburn perspective. This latest deadline wasn't a dud; coaches (ie their representatives) and university representatives held talks today that soothed some frayed nerves — at least for the moment. We're told both sides acknowledged the need for additional pliability and diplomacy. Will that actually lead to a useable resolution? Difficult to say.

Coaches continue to push their overall desire to cooperate. They're not trying to be bandits. They just don't want to hold wide-ranging discussions right now. The university, from its perspective, is doing its best to remain patient. At the same time, administrators want to hear some real answers.

The impasse remains an obstacle, but coaches are at practice today. When you're in a storm this threatening, every day the whistle remains around on your neck must be considered a half-step in the right direction.

If you're asking me, it's surprising they're still here. It's a complicated situation — to say the least.

quote:

---

First, Auburn does not acknowledge that Bruce has 'legit reasons' from a legal perspective, which seems to be a huge part of the problem. It appears they are pretty bitter and allowing it to affect their interactions, as right/wrong pressing their case is expensive legal battle

---

Oh I definitely agree. I'm not saying they are in the right here, I side with Bruce on letting the FBI investigation end first, but from the administrative stand point, I can see that side as well. If Bruce talks now or after the FBI is done, he can still incriminate himself, so I get their frustration.

quote:

---

I'm totally with you that firing Bruce isn't a damning move. What Auburn appears to try and be doing is reduce public outcry about firing Bruce + avoid buyout.

While I get that being attractive it isn't realistic. It is like going into a divorce trying to bleed your soon to be ex spouse dry. All you are going to accomplish is a long drawn out messy divorce

---

100% agree. I don't necessarily agree with the path AU is taking on this, but I won't say I don't understand why they are doing it, from a business stand point.

quote:

---

Let's also keep in mind how our BBall team is now down 3 key coaches/staffers

---

This is devastating to a college basketball program in recruiting and opponent scouting. Each of these guys would normally be working late, late hours dissecting each upcoming opponent and game planning for them and now it falls to either student managers or cuts into current staffers time on the recruiting trail.

Granted, I doubt any recruiting is happening at all for now.. at least until this stalemate is broken.