The Fall of Auburn

God help anyone who takes on a new challenging job that pays less for personal career satisfaction or family reasons. The buzzards will circle on this forum.

Especially when the poster doing so is, frankly, very well-known, well-connected, respected and uses his real name instead of hiding behind a screen-name. And frankly, I don't see how it's made any better by the poster having the attributes you have mentioned. Says the person not using his real name. No. It is entirely relevant. When I first heard about this thread at the pool -- and I will not mention Brian Stack by name b/c I'm not one to gossip -- and how somebody took on Paul Smith, I thought, "What on earth is a scholar on Spanish television, Pedro Almodovar and Spanish Renaissance literature doing posting in a swim forum? 'Cuz it how does an anonymous poster think they'll be taken seriously when trying to slam somebody w/ so much knowledge and info about swimming? The reason why it's important is that Smith has been around this industry long enough to have met ppl in the know and to have heard enough rumblings to figure out that something probably is up. I mean... dude: I've known a grand total of one Auburn swimmer, and let's just say that PS wasn't the only one asking the exact same questions. And I don't have nearly the same background as Smith does. I'd venture to guess that Paul has met a lot of Auburn swimmers over the years, enough to wonder about the circumstances surrounding Marsh's departure. You may not believe this, but the fact that so many ppl use their real name and the fact that they are active in masters swimming actually curtails the "gossip" factor quite a bit. I've seen other boards w/ lots more gossip. Paul's experience in the sport is important to consider b/c the guy has intimate knowledge of how NCAA D1 programs work. The questions he has posed come from a lifetime of experience in this industry and sport. They aren't asked in a vacuum. Btw:I've never met Paul (unless it was at a nationals/worlds meet in which he was introduced to me along w/ 4/5 other swimmers). But looking at his times :bow: and how he dominates his age group I can see that the guy isn't talking out of his ***. Also, consider what's in it for a guy who is one of the most successful swimmers at the masters level to spend time on a swim forum and give out advice to novices and experienced swimmers and coaches alike? It's a love for the sport. And THAT, to me, speaks volumes. His participation on these forums doesn't stem from ego. So when he poses questions that lots of ppl have thought about, it's not to get scintillating details about a respected person in our community.

Says the person not using his real name. My name was once posted in full in my profile. Due to some threats being made to some other members, I pulled it. If you don't mind, I'll keep it that way. No. It is entirely relevant. When I first heard about this thread at the pool -- and I will not mention Brian Stack by name b/c I'm not one to gossip -- and how somebody took on Paul Smith, I thought, "What on earth is a scholar on Spanish television, Pedro Almodovar and Spanish Renaissance literature doing posting in a swim forum? 'Cuz it how does an anonymous poster think they'll be taken seriously when trying to slam somebody w/ so much knowledge and info about swimming? The reason why it's important is that Smith has been around this industry long enough to have met ppl in the know and to have heard enough rumblings to figure out that something probably is up. Probably? So let's go to an online swimming forum and start throwing around some ideas and suspicions at the expense of a well respected swim coach, based upon probably. People are entitled to do what they want, I am just suggesting that it's not something that I am entirely comfortable with. You may not believe this, but the fact that so many ppl use their real name and the fact that they are active in masters swimming actually curtails the "gossip" factor quite a bit. I've seen other boards w/ lots more gossip. Totally agree, but the safety and security of my family are far more important than any swimming forum. Btw:I've never met Paul (unless it was at a nationals/worlds meet in which he was introduced to me along w/ 4/5 other swimmers). But looking at his times :bow: and how he dominates his age group I can see that the guy isn't talking out of his ***. Yes, because fast swimming is an indicator of one's ability to discern fact from suspicion. Please. Also, consider what's in it for a guy who is one of the most successful swimmers at the masters level to spend time on a swim forum and give out advice to novices and experienced swimmers and coaches alike? It's a love for the sport. And THAT, to me, speaks volumes. His participation on these forums doesn't stem from ego. So when he poses questions that lots of ppl have thought about, it's not to get scintillating details about a respected person in our community. I'm not trying to belittle Mr. Smith. I also don't question his love for the sport. My only point is that it seems irresponsible to be making these comments online without having some serious evidence to support such claims. :2cents:

My name was once posted in full in my profile. Due to some threats being made to some other members, I pulled it. If you don't mind, I'll keep it that way. Fine. And if you don't mind, the fact that he puts his name behind what he says buys a bit of respect for me. Probably? So let's go to an online swimming forum and start throwing around some ideas and suspicions at the expense of a well respected swim coach, based upon probably. O.k. Scratch "probably". I was being polite. I'm sorry. I just think it's incredibly naive to think that something isn't up. And this coming from a person that is incredibly naive. Ask the ppl who know me here. I'm as naive as they come. (Which also partially explains why I'm stunned that ppl are taken aback by suspicions of steroid usage in swimming. If I've seen it, then clearly others more street savvy than me must have seen it as well.) People are entitled to do what they want, I am just suggesting that it's not smething that I am entirely comfortable with. Then don't click on the thread. Yes, because fast swimming is an indicator of one's ability to discern fact from suspicion. Please. :rolleyes: Swimming fast shows that the guy has put in a LOT of yardage in his day. It shows that he reached a really high level in swimming. His having been at that level will have given him access to the milieu that is the subject of this thread. Assumptions? No. Educated, calculated guesses. And I'd put money on the fact that I'm right about these guesses of Paul. My only point is that it seems irresponsible to be making these comments online without having some serious evidence to support such claims. Maybe if they are unreasonable questions. It's not unreasonable to ask about whether or not the change in jobs was a lateral move and if the issues that brought about the change will affect Auburn's program.

Amy, here is a discussion from TimedFinals that occurred a year ago on this same subject.... www.timedfinals.com/.../ A USA Today article where even Rowdy wonders why...... www.usatoday.com/.../2007-03-01-4280304307_x.htm Here is an article from the year prior to him deciding to leave where it says he signed an 8 year deal to stay with the team after being courted by Stanford to come there....... www.ocm.auburn.edu/.../032806.html A lot of the other articles I found make it sound like it was for family reasons that he left.....ultimately the only one that can answer this question is Coach Marsh....the rest of us are relegated to discussing it here on the forums speculating on the reasons why......

Huh? I said that I heard rumors as a swimmer. I never "knew'' anything. Which is precisely why I would never post names and rumors on a message board. To do so would be irresponsible, IMO. Crap. That pretty much is the only reason I write and read message boards. I have always assumed that people are smart enough to decipher between message board muck and the truth.

Here I go speculating again! is there any chance that this move was about just one thing, money? A team with 2500 members is bringing in close to a quarter million per month. I know that Salo was making $400-500K coaching Novaquaitcs several years back. What does a gig like Auburn pay? 200-300K maybe?

When he negotiated his contract the year prior to his leaving....according to the one article....he was going to make $160K..... A little different from Tuberville, who they say was making about $2.5 mil...and with Marsh being one of, if not the best coach in the NCAA swimming crowd....it just shows the difference in what sports colleges consider more important. You think Tuberville would be making $160K after winning that many NCAAs in his career?

Then don't click on the thread. Oh please. Do you think I have ESP or something? I clicked on the thread, saw things that I found out of line, and chose to comment on them.

It's not unreasonable to ask about whether or not the change in jobs was a lateral move and if the issues that brought about the change will affect Auburn's program. Those are not the questions that are the subject of controversy. The subjects of controversy, not questions at all in fact, have been pointed out by gobears a few pages back. Rather than reposting these comments again, I will leave it in your hands to seek them out.