Say what you will about Auburn's "Tiger Prowl," it's certainly generating a buzz.Although this has been written about at length on most of the recruiting Web sites (props to AuburnSports.com for the photo, by the way), here's an overview of what Auburn is doing: seven assistant coaches are doing a tour of the state in a stretch Hummer limo with Auburn decals and flags on the side to announce the school's presence within Alabama.
The group started in Mobile earlier this week and has been moving north. They hit Central High in Phenix City and Smiths Station on Wednesday morning (stangely they didn't cross the border into Georgia) before moving on to the Auburn/Opelika area and eventually Montgomery. The Birmingham area is on the docket for tomorrow apparently.
Keep in mind, the Auburn coaches cannot talk to the players. This is ostensibly just a fact-checking trip, to brush up on transcripts of some players and meet coaches. But it certainly is a different approach to recruiting.
Here's what some coaches had to say:
RON NELSON, Central High coach
On seeing the limo pull up
"Everybody saw them coming. You knew where they were coming from."
On meeting seven assistant coachesMARK ROSE, Smiths Station coach (it should be noted that Rose was a four-year letterman at Auburn, a teammate of current defensive line coach Tracy Rocker back in the Pat Dye era)
"I think the biggest thing is, and I really think what Coach (Gene) Chizik and them are trying to do, is a lot of times you come in to recruit and you meet one guy that recruits your area and you don't know the other guys. Right now, we sat down for about an hour today, we had a chance to meet all seven of these guys and build a relationship with them. When I call, they'll know who I am and vice versa."
Was there a buzz around their arrival?
"They just happened to be here during a class change and I think a lot of kids saw them in the halls, so the buzz from that standpoint is there."
On Auburn's commitment to recruiting the state
"I think they know that they've got to get some players from the state of Alabama. And I think that's one of the big things they're doing to make their presence known and to let people know that Auburn will recruit you."
On the visit
"I know they don't go everywhere, so it's a privilege to have them come by."
On if the staff showing up in a limo was unique
"Yeah. I guess that would be a little unique. But I think that's a good thing."
On the Auburn staff's commitment to recruiting Alabama
"Knowing those guys, I know they're committed. They're working non-stop. Like I said, I've had some dealings with a lot of them since they've been here and knew several of them from before. There's no doubt they're committed and they're working for Auburn."
12 comments:
I guess you have to do whatever you can to try to contend with Saban. I sure hope Auburn does not think a rented limo will suffice for the 2nd tier coaching staff they have in place. Until Auburn hires a good coach they will always be second in the state of ALABAMA!!!
If the Bama staff had done the same thing, Bama fans would say it is the greatest idea ever. Give me a break. Truth is, Auburn is making waves and Auburn haters can't stand it. WDE
Oh I tell ya, Saban calls out the bama nation for their bad, negative, unrealistic attitudes and the fan base starts pulling their hair out over a car with AU tags on it. Dont worry about the limo, worry about the reason the top 3 RBs in the nation naming AU high on their list. Worry about the recruiting reps of these "2nd tier coaching staff" as they put this team back on track.
Honestly, I think this is a ridiculous idea, but I'm not the coaching staff's target audience. High school kids are, and they're probably wowed by seven coaches from a major Division I football program stepping out of a stretch Hummer.
The whole point of this thing is to get people talking, and they've certainly accomplished that. This was even discussed on ESPN's "Around the Horn" today. When has Auburn ever be mentioned on that show at this time of the year?
I've got to admit, it's a pretty successful strategy.
.....Yeah, I have to agree, Andy. Cheezy, ridiculous, yes. The Hummer's one of the ugliest vehicles on the road, and making a dachshund-looking limo out of it doesn't help!
.....Impressing recruits and getting pub's what it's all about, though. Someone's a trend-setter in the coaching staff. Very, very good!
I wake up early this morning and find this fiasco. Granted, the "tiger prowl" was a fine publicity stunt but I don't like this sort of stuff. Who are we the Dallas Cowboys??? If Bama had done this sort of thing in Saban's first year I would have said it seemed they were desperate...it sure looks like we are...oh well it could be worse I suppose.
Classic Rose...a man of few words. Rose coached at SSHS before (and taught English) as an assistant. He had an interesting year last year, it looks like he might be getting Smiths on track as a 6A team.
As far as hitting the road in a limo/Hummer...well, it is kind of hokey, but given the amount of attention it's gotten, I'd say they've achieved their goal. Just one more sign that this staff is NOT like the old staff, and that they are going to try new ideas, whether the work or not.
notabanker: Aren't all coaching staff's 'desperate' to get the top recruits? I mean unless you are Pete Carrol at USC where 5-stars line up to play for you, you're competing tooth-and-nail for these guys. I think it's a good sign that the current staff recognizes we needed a new recruiting strategy, especially in-state, and is running with it. Necessity is the mother of invention. Is it a stunt? Sure. Is it cheesy? When is a stretch limo/Hummer not cheesy? Does it make a statement to high schools around the state that Auburn is serious about recruiting? I think so.
So don't hate. Haters are so annoying. Just enjoy the fact that you have some college football to discuss in April.
It's almost hard to believe the flack that our staff is getting from AU fans about a limo. It's not like it is a substitute for actual recruiting. Several of these coaches have outstanding reputations for being excellent recruiters.
It was a fun way to get the entire State and the football world (thanks to ESPN) talking about Auburn in a fun, positive way. We definately could use some fun and positive press.
I realize this is a story regionally and even nationally because of the limo aspect of the story, but is that what the story is for the school administrations and students who are receiving these visits? I don't think so.
I think these young men appreciate the fact that almost an entire coaching staff is coming out to their schools (1) to show AU's interest in them individually and (2) to show that AU is serious about recruiting in this state.
Great points!
"So don't hate. Haters are so annoying. Just enjoy the fact that you have some college football to discuss in April."
Don't hate? If I disagree I'm hating? As for every team being desperate for recruits...go ask Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Alabama if they are desperate. Many programs are LOADED with talent thus do not have to pull publicity stunts. Those programs didn't have to pull publicity stunts to get to where they are now either...but if this works hats off to the current AU staff.
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