A proven coach is not going to put up with a splintered, dysfunctional organization that is perceived to still exist on Donahue Drive. Fair or not, that means Jay Jacobs's tenure as athletic director may have to end for Auburn to have any chance of long-term success.
Whether you like him or hate him, Jacosb's tenure has not been a complete bust. The modest renovations to Jordan-Hare Stadium have been welcomed and the construction of Auburn Arena was a much needed addition to campus, even if the payoff hasn't come yet. And let?s not forget, Auburn won its long awaited title on his watch.
Unfortunately for Jacobs, perception and reality are hitting him between the eyes all at once.
The reality is that during Jacobs's tenure, the football program has been embroiled in controversy and under-achievement with the exception of 2010, which shouldn't be discounted.
Many Auburn people have never forgiven him for his perceived mistreatment of Tommy Tuberville following the 2008 season. Still beloved by some today, many believed Auburn owed him another year after finishing 5-7 his last season. The 2010 national title brushed those feelings under the rug for awhile, but now are resurfacing.
For two years, the hiring of Chizik made Jacobs into a genius. Maybe he did know what he was doing. Now with a 1-6 start, fans are taking another look at his track record and beginning to question his ability to lead.
Since taking over the athletic department in 2004, the men's basketball team has a 40-74 record against SEC opponents. On the women's side, they are 48-56 in conference play. In baseball, Auburn sits at 101-139 in the SEC during Jacobs's tenure.
As damaging as those numbers are, it's the perception that Jacobs is nothing more than a puppet that makes him so unlikeable among Auburn people. True or not, it?s been widely assumed that Jacobs was Bobby Lowder's inside man until the former banking executive came off Auburn's board in April.
It's a claim that Jacobs has long rejected.
A former player under Pat Dye, he has welcomed the legendary coach back to the athletic department after Dye was exiled by Tuberville following JetGate in 2003. With Dye?s long-time ties to Lowder, many in the community believe that through Jacobs, both still have a say in football matters.
