Started By
Message
1 Year Later - Kevin Steele Saga
Posted on 12/7/21 at 9:36 am
Posted on 12/7/21 at 9:36 am
So... what exactly went down there? I’m the type of guy that immediately tunes out when people start talking about behind closed doors conspiracies. I’ve observed in my life that 98% of the time there isn’t a shred of truth to them.
How much truth was there in this case? Was there really an organized coup attempt by Steele and some of the PTB?
How much truth was there in this case? Was there really an organized coup attempt by Steele and some of the PTB?
5
Posted on 12/7/21 at 9:41 am to auburnnyc94
Just me reading all articles and connecting dots. We have terrible sports writers with rough sources that have no connection to our athletic department. These guys need to sell subscriptions and they don't care about the negative impact to our university. Steele was never an option, nor Napier or Clark. The few credible AU sources I have seen have AG requesting a plan from Mario, Harsin, and the CU coordinators. Harsin and Mario are the only ones who were interested of the four.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 9:56 am to AUCE05
Anyone’s guess is as good as what reporters tell us given the differing accounts.
What we know is that Greene used a search committee and his own relationships to shape a group of finalists. We know Harsin was one of them because he was hired. Guessing Cristobal was another. And it sounds like Napier, Venables, and some others never quite got to the finalist stage.
Did boosters attempt to place Steele in charge? I don’t know. I’m guessing at least one was trying to move in that direction. At least one of the recruits told 247 that Steele and his staff expected to remain there. But what else would Steele say if he’s still employed, not ruled out as a candidate, and charged with keeping some recruits together on signing day?
All this to say, I tend to believe Venables but I think most misunderstand his point. He saw what we see: An AD hired by a fired former president working without direction from Gogue (Gogue famously doesn’t like to dabble in athletics) and without booster support. Why would he sign up for a long term gig when Auburn will likely replace its President and AD during his first contract? I think the agents of several of those guys were probably wise to steer them away since they landed good gigs this cycle
What we know is that Greene used a search committee and his own relationships to shape a group of finalists. We know Harsin was one of them because he was hired. Guessing Cristobal was another. And it sounds like Napier, Venables, and some others never quite got to the finalist stage.
Did boosters attempt to place Steele in charge? I don’t know. I’m guessing at least one was trying to move in that direction. At least one of the recruits told 247 that Steele and his staff expected to remain there. But what else would Steele say if he’s still employed, not ruled out as a candidate, and charged with keeping some recruits together on signing day?
All this to say, I tend to believe Venables but I think most misunderstand his point. He saw what we see: An AD hired by a fired former president working without direction from Gogue (Gogue famously doesn’t like to dabble in athletics) and without booster support. Why would he sign up for a long term gig when Auburn will likely replace its President and AD during his first contract? I think the agents of several of those guys were probably wise to steer them away since they landed good gigs this cycle
This post was edited on 12/7/21 at 10:02 am
Posted on 12/7/21 at 10:07 am to auburnnyc94
I am no insider but I would be skeptical there was some conspiracy. I am sure Steele wanted the job and there may have been a couple of boosters who wanted him, but I think the whole thing was overblown.
What we do know:
1) Venables was in serious talks but walked out after he saw that AU wasn't "aligned." I take this to mean that AU was still courting other candidates and he was irritated he wasn't the one and only focus.
2) Cristobal seems to have been in talks at some point. (I think this is accepted by most).
3) Bill Clark was pretty damn far down the list and may have been contacted, but was never offered the job. AU, in a rare event, released a statement admonishing Clark.
4) Harsin and Greene knew each other from conventions and what not. How high on the list Harsin was is anyone's guess. (My guess is he probably wasn't #1). But I guess it depends on WHOSE list you're talking about. Greene likely had a different list from Yellafella, etc.
All in all, I think it's clear that not everyone was pulling in the same direction. I have no doubts that some boosters wanted coach X while people in the AD wanted coach Y. But at the end of the day Greene got his guy.
What we do know:
1) Venables was in serious talks but walked out after he saw that AU wasn't "aligned." I take this to mean that AU was still courting other candidates and he was irritated he wasn't the one and only focus.
2) Cristobal seems to have been in talks at some point. (I think this is accepted by most).
3) Bill Clark was pretty damn far down the list and may have been contacted, but was never offered the job. AU, in a rare event, released a statement admonishing Clark.
4) Harsin and Greene knew each other from conventions and what not. How high on the list Harsin was is anyone's guess. (My guess is he probably wasn't #1). But I guess it depends on WHOSE list you're talking about. Greene likely had a different list from Yellafella, etc.
All in all, I think it's clear that not everyone was pulling in the same direction. I have no doubts that some boosters wanted coach X while people in the AD wanted coach Y. But at the end of the day Greene got his guy.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 10:37 am to auburnnyc94
quote:
Was there really an organized coup attempt by Steele and some of the PTB?
I doubt it.
When folks discuss the obstacles that an Auburn coach faces, like recruiting, schedule, etc., they always fail to mention one of the biggest obstacles. The press.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 10:45 am to auburnnyc94
IMO Greene/Gogue/Burgess were doing their thing w/ the committee while a booster element was working to install Steele because he could be completely controlled by them.
And PM served as the mouthpiece for that element which left him completely blind to what was happening in the actual decision making circle.
And now that 247 element is serving as messenger from the sour grapes people who didn't get Steele, and Ron has essentially admitted as much (not the messenger part).
How Venables and Cristobal fit in, I don't know. Maybe there was some alignment on all sides with those candidates but then the schism happened after they didn't work out.
And PM served as the mouthpiece for that element which left him completely blind to what was happening in the actual decision making circle.
And now that 247 element is serving as messenger from the sour grapes people who didn't get Steele, and Ron has essentially admitted as much (not the messenger part).
How Venables and Cristobal fit in, I don't know. Maybe there was some alignment on all sides with those candidates but then the schism happened after they didn't work out.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:01 am to AUCE05
quote:
Just me reading all articles and connecting dots. We have terrible sports writers with rough sources that have no connection to our athletic department. These guys need to sell subscriptions and they don't care about the negative impact to our university. Steele was never an option, nor Napier or Clark. The few credible AU sources I have seen have AG requesting a plan from Mario, Harsin, and the CU coordinators. Harsin and Mario are the only ones who were interested of the four.
1) Kevin Steele was a real push by some boosters. Once ADAG and Gogue put their foot down and set a "Search Committee", that idea was squashed. However, all the nonsense that was reported about how "badly" our search was going was clearly driven by those who were intent on causing damage with the intent of usurping power.
2) It is well known that Phillip Marshall is a mouth-piece of certain boosters. It is very likely that the boosters he represents were in the Kevin Steele camp. Same guys who didn't get their way, and obviously aren't happy about it.
3) Combine points 1 and 2 above - why do you think there is so much push by certain Auburn writers to promote the idea that Harsin "definitely" wants to leave? If you were a booster who didn't want Harsin in the first place and who is now being shut-out some (Harsin shut down a lot of access), then it makes all the sense in the world to use these West Coast openings to build up the idea that he's looking to leave. Either to push him out entirely, or to create a situation where he loses fan support. Same thing regarding the nonsense about his vaccination status.
4) Brent Venables comments about "alignment" literally means the alignment of all aspects of the football program: the administration & AD, the boosters and BOT, and the fanbase itself. The stuff about interest groups pulling the program in different directions is real.
Guys like Philip Marshall and Ron Sanders aren't making things up to "sell subscriptions"; they're reporting what their handlers want them to report. So you need ask yourself why they're so hell bent on "reporting" that Harsin is looking for a way out.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:18 am to Pettifogger
quote:
IMO Greene/Gogue/Burgess were doing their thing w/ the committee while a booster element was working to install Steele because he could be completely controlled by them.
And PM served as the mouthpiece for that element which left him completely blind to what was happening in the actual decision making circle.
Bingo. I think this sums it up well. I think Venables caught onto this pretty quickly.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 4:51 pm to TheJones
This thread is awesome.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 7:19 pm to auburnnyc94
Click bait crap. Harsin was never mentioned, there’s no telling how many people were duped by the “insiders” and paid a subscription.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 7:13 am to Rhino5
quote:
Click bait crap. Harsin was never mentioned, there’s no telling how many people were duped by the “insiders” and paid a subscription.
If that didn't prove that any AU subscription service is throwing money away...
Posted on 12/8/21 at 7:38 am to slacker130
Stoops to Auburn…..
I remember…
I remember…
Posted on 12/8/21 at 7:42 am to Rhino5
How do y’all not remember?
Auburn rant started the grassroots movement #stoptheSteele
Auburn rant started the grassroots movement #stoptheSteele
Posted on 12/8/21 at 9:04 am to jangalang
quote:I remember...
How do y’all not remember?
Auburn rant started the grassroots movement #stoptheSteele
I emailed the PTB urging them to reconsider...
ETA: I found the post with their addresses Important AU Admins addresses
This post was edited on 12/8/21 at 9:11 am
Posted on 12/8/21 at 9:37 am to Niner
Hell yeah
Bro shake
Bro shake
Posted on 12/8/21 at 8:21 pm to jangalang
If I had to guess Cristobal was #1 and Napier probably got an interview along with Venebles. We probably panicked when Cristobal Napier and Venebles didn't pan out thats when the Bill Clark Kevin Steele names started to appear. Green then remembered he met Harsin one time and the rest is history
Posted on 12/8/21 at 8:22 pm to AUtigR24
I believe you’re dumb enough to believe that
Page 1 of 1
Latest Auburn News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News