The Fall of Auburn

Chris, how many times does Paul have to say that he was doing exactly what you just said for people to believe him? He just raised the question for debate amongst what is usually civil adult discussion. From what I know and have heard about Paul....he is pretty well connected amongst the swimming community....I personally would tend to believe his assumptions and characterizations over somebody that I don't even know, or know how much they even know about swimming. And just to make sure you understand where I am coming from.....I don't always agree with everything Paul says either. But I personally did take this as a question about how it all went down, on the other hand I kind of took what Amy said as an attack.....if that was not the way she meant it.....then I apologize. Oh and I thought this was a discussion forum....for all of us to participate in when we feel like jumping in? Again, if I'm wrong, I apologize.

Geek, Amy, I kind of have to agree with Paul and Stillhere......all Paul was doing and is still doing was raising a query....a poser...a question as to why he left Auburn so suddenly.......is that criminal.....not! What I consider to be criminal on this thread was the way Amy attacked Paul without giving any proof to her argument as to why he did leave Auburn. You say he should have facts to back up his statements....when in fact they weren't statements but questions. Where are your facts backing up your assumptions that everything was all perfect when he did leave so fast. If you have facts to back up your assumptions should you not take your own advice and post them here? And I agree with Paul on one thing for sure......that IS a dream coaching job! Why walk away at the top of the game? If it was for family....I applaud his decision.....and would support that decision in every way possible. Just my :2cents: again. Sure, it sounds great. But perhaps after living that life for a while it's not so dreamy anymore.

Absolutely agree.....and the toll that kind of work can take on the family is tremendous.....

Coach Marsh was forced out because he was found to be a "closet" BAMA football fan! Why'd you have to let that "elephant" into the room? :rofl:

So he did something so terrible that Auburn wanted to get rid of him, yet USA Swimming was eager to snatch him up for a new program at MAC? 1 + 1=3? We've moved beyond that discussion into the joke phase. Didn't you get the memo, Matt?

This thread has exposed a lot but I sure never anticipated coming across a full-blown man crush. That's some deep man-love right there, amigos, not that there's anything wrong with that. I darn near think Smith has himself a prom date now.

tj--did you actually read this entire thread from the beginning? It started out innocently enough. My original answers to the true "questions" being raised were civil and expressed my understanding of the situation. The whole discussion "went South" when Paul posted the following in response to assertions that Marsh's move might have been a move forward: Leaving Auburn for MAC was a major step down...sorry but if you think otherwise I won't try to convince you. Auburn has some very serious issues with regards to recruiting, hazing and scholarships...I've met Dave and have a lot of respect what he accomplished as a coach...however there were/are some serious issues with the program and the timing of Quicks arrival and the departure of Marsh have never been fully disclosed....and may never be. Note that both statements are definitive. All I asked for was proof of these very accusatory statements. Where, exactly, have I "attacked" Paul? I don't see him cowering in a corner anywhere. I'm willing to call a truce and agree that Paul and I will never agree on this issue. But I'd ask Paul to put himself in my position. Say one of his best college friends' wives suddenly left a very prestigious law practice to become a stay at home mom. Would he sit back if I began to speculate that (after talking to her peers) she left her practice because she must have been doing something illegal? Would he let me post away on a public forum about all the gossip I'd heard when I can clearly not offer up anything but speculation? And incredulity that anyone with such a great career would throw it all away to wipe snotty noses all day? I don't think so. As for "proving" nothing torrid happened with regard to Marsh's departure, I believe I've actually offered up as much as one can to "prove a negative". I've offered up a whole lot more than Paul has. Google Marsh's name and "recruiting" or "hazing" and "scandal" and "swimming" and see how much "proof" of Marsh's supposedly horrendous activities you find. I challenge you.

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. My bold and tenacious grandmother says: "Don't worry about what ppl think. They're going to think no matter what you do." Look. A guy leaves one of the most sought after positions in the sport. Ppl are going to question that. Period. There are a lot of ppl that are really dialed into the sport in this nation. Many of us have very interesting info that we could share. I'm convinced that we could get the real answer w/in a couple of hours if we were to place just a few well phone calls/emails. Just this week I've held back info on two separate threads for a variety of reasons. I'm sure I'm not the only one. And I'm certain that there are posters lurking around that can elaborate but refrain from doing so. Seeking some info isn't criminal. Trying to pool information isn't criminal. 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.

(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.) I can't speak for others, but I for one am not taken aback by suspicions of steroid use in swimming. I AM taken aback that every time someone other that Gary Hall Jr. breaks a record, it's gotta be steroids or the suit. It just gets old that's all. 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. I would have no problems even if they were unreasonable questions, but Paul has a knack for couching his 'questions' as bold statements of fact. I for one have a hard time reading some of his posts because a majority of them evoke an emotional response in me. Some people have that effect. Why, just earlier today, I grew infuriated while reading his personal attack on The GoodSmith! How dare he attack another swimmer that way!:thhbbb: And Carlos, just out of curiosity, how come you abbreviate people after you spell out all of your other words. Seriously, I'm just curious. It took me a couple of months to figure out what IMHO and IMO meant. My name, T.J. Morton

Ok, I have remained silent long enough on this issue. It is my understanding that Coach Marsh was forced out because he was found to be a "closet" BAMA football fan! Honest---I would not make this up---:D