Languish

1 a : to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated b : to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality
2 a : to become dispirited b : to suffer neglect

That's how my boss described my life as the current project I'm on won't die. I'm hoping today is the day I put this thing to rest.

It's stealing my joy. Which is also a fond way to describe any coach who might take the Bammer job since Shula got fired. Just kidding. A strong Bammer program is actually good for Auburn. Look at what happens when rivals suck-- a la Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Hell, they don't even televise that game any longer and it's an intra-state rivalry.

So how long do you give a coach before you fire them? Did Bammer give Shula enough time? In Shula's case I think hiring him may have been a mistake. I'm thinking interim head coach would have been better for the program [of course, that kills recruiting]. They hired Shula when Price flaked out and there really were not any coaches on the market since it was summer. Bammer should have perhaps used an interim head coach or hired/fired Shula after one year when they could conduct a more thorough search and get a coach they knew would be solid in the long haul. You know, like Ray Perkins. Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark.

Time to give a coach: 5-6 years if your program is in shambles (Bammer). 2 years if you walk into an outstanding program and can't produce up to the program's potential (Les Miles at LSU). Yes, Les has had two 10-win seasons but with the talent at LSU he prolly should have had 2 national championships in his time there.

I think you have to evaluate at 5-6 years and here's my timeline.

2 years to get the garbage out

2 years to recruit

After a few years of recruiting you need to look at your recruits and get excited about them. They may have not matured yet but you should be able to look at them and say to yourself "man, these kids are phucking good." You should perhaps be bowl eligible at this point. That's another step forward.

After you've had 2 Senior classes roll t/ this is your final evaluation. Did you pass 2 classes through and still end up with losing records or did you make solid progress?

I've got a nice cup of coffee and a cigar on my desk. Perhaps I'll have a little smoke when no one's looking. Cigars don't make much stink do they?