Franklin fired as Auburn offensive coordinator

By Mike Szvetitz
Sports Editor, Opelika-Auburn News
Published: October 8, 2008

Tony Franklin has been fired as Auburn’s offensive coordinator a source close to the program told the Opelika-Auburn News on Wednesday afternoon.

Franklin was hired in December of 2007, just a few days after then-AU offensive coordinator Al Borges was let go by head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Franklin, who spent the last two years at Troy, was brought to Auburn to run the spread offense - or the “Tony Franklin System” which has been installed at high school programs across the country.

Franklin’s offense hasn’t lived up to its expectations this season, as the Tigers are 4-2, 2-2 in the SEC.

The university confirmed the firing at 3:44 p.m., issuing a press release stating that Franklin had been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

Check out Andrew Gribble’s (AU Beat Writer) Blog for his take!

“After evaluating where we are at this point of the season offensively, I felt it was in the best interest of the Auburn football program to make this change,” Tuberville said. “I’m not satisfied with where we are and I am personally going to take a larger role with the offense the remainder of the season. We are going to work harder than ever to make sure we consistently improve as we move forward.”

The offense is near or at the bottom in most offensive categories in the SEC and the country. Auburn ranks 104th in total offense (309.2 yards per game), 105th in pass efficiency (104.98), tied for 111th in red zone offense (65 percent) and 112th in third-down conversions (29.7 percent).

For more, check back to http://www.oanow.com and read Thursday’s Opelika-Auburn News.