🏈 Ellis Johnson Has Been Thrown Under the Gus Bus

[bama alum]

http://auburn.247sports.com/Article/Johnson-fired-as-Auburn-DC-33419620

AUBURN – Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has been fired in the wake of last Saturday’s 55-44 loss to Alabama.
Johnson, with more than 40 years of coaching experience, joined head coach Gus Malzahn’s first Auburn staff. After a year as head coach at Southern Mississippi, he chose Auburn over an offer from Florida State.
Malzahn told Johnson of his decision on Sunday.
After helping the Tigers win the Southeastern Conference championship and advance to the BCS Championship Game last season, Johnson and the defense never found much traction as the Tigers finished an 8-4 regular season with last Saturday’s loss to Alabama.
Auburn finished 10th in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 26.1 points per game and ninth in total defense, giving up 388.7 yards per game. It finished eighth in rushing defense, giving up 149.1 yards per game and 13th in pass defense, giving up 239.2 yards per game.
After Auburn beat Arkansas 45-21 and LSU 41-7 in its first two SEC games, the defense gave up 38 to Mississippi State, 35 to South Carolina, 31 to Ole Miss, 41 to Texas A&M, 34 to Georgia and finally 55 to Alabama.
More to come.

• Phillip Marshall
• Auburn Insider - AuburnUndercover

 

[Bamabww]

I figured this was coming.

 

[alabama mike]

I am not shocked this happened but I am a little surprised. Coach Johnson is a good coach and had several young kids playing. This decision just goes to show all of us that this is a business.

 

[UAgrad93]

I heard that there are some rumblings at the Trailer Park in Opelika. Word has it that Malzahn STILL doesn't have complete control over his own program. Seems he wanted to dismiss Mushmouth Marshall and one of their DBs. The boosters said "NO!" Winning means more money in so many ways! He seems to think Malzahn would leave if tempted.

 

[TerryP]

I heard that there are some rumblings at the Trailer Park in Opelika. Word has it that Malzahn STILL doesn't have complete control over his own program. Seems he wanted to dismiss Mushmouth Marshall and one of their DBs. The boosters said "NO!" Winning means more money in so many ways! He seems to think Malzahn would leave if tempted.

I've seen the same being talked about in several different places so it's either a really good rumor or there's some fire there. I tend to believe the later and that feeling isn't based on rumors.

Malzahn caused a lot of discontent when he was coaching under Nutt in Arkansas. When Johnson was "relieved of his duties" following the DuBose firing what did we see? One, filed a baseless lawsuit against UA and then found a home with another group of malcontents: Croom and Williams to name two. Then add the mixture of Rodney Garner into that pot?

 

[RollllTide!]

The Gus Bus is having engine trouble.

 

[bcracker]

I wonder who will end up woth Muschamp: Auburn, TAM, neither?

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

I wonder how Auburn fans are going to feel if they can't get Muschamp to come back. All of the crying for Johnson to go has been followed directly by calls for Muschamp.

 

[psychojoe]

Boomer, for a coach who has just been given the gate, has some excellent choices out there. I would be surprised if he does not end up with a seven figure salary as a DC, with some great choices out there. I have heard SC mentioned as a destination as well. Terry, have you heard any hints about that/

 

[planomateo]

I wonder who will end up woth Muschamp: Auburn, TAM, neither?

Whoever pays the most would be my guess. Honestly, he could end up as a HC again with some of the vacancies coming up.

It was kind of obvious this was coming, I think I suggested here yesterday that Muschamp could be going to Auburn. They've had some dissent in the locker room for most of the season.

 

[planomateo]

 

[PhillyGirl]

I predict a Muschamp move to the Barn.

 

[bama alum]

AUcpaHOU
Second Team...
Post #242
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Pelini is coming Reply
Yes NU gave up 400 to the best rb in country but he was the HC not DC. The man can coach defense and he's the tough SOB this D needs.


snicker, chortle, :rolf::rolf::rolf::rolf::rolf:

 

[RollTideRandy]

Chizik took AU to the National Title Game, Went 8-5 the next season and fired the DC, they went 3-9 the next season.

Malzan took AU to the National Title Game last year, they could well finish 8-5 this season and fired their DC, next season they will...

 

[TerryP]

Chizik took AU to the National Title Game, Went 8-5 the next season and fired the DC, they went 3-9 the next season.

Malzan took AU to the National Title Game last year, they could well finish 8-5 this season and fired their DC, next season they will...

Change the names and we're back in the Tubs era.

I'm not a fan of EJ, but this definitely fits the business side of football. AU has had what, five different DC's in the last six years? I find that relevant, in regard to EJ, because of the system he teaches with that hybrid safety/linebacker. We saw what happened this season with the UofSC defense when they changed schemes after Johnson left and it's my opinion we have seen the same thing with AU's defense this year: players not recruited for his system and the staff down there thinking defensive is simply "plug and play."

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On a different subject, but only slightly, should this fall under "auto-correct?"

 

[bcracker]

Pelini as DC at the Barn is a match made in heaven. It has "movie'' starring Will Ferrel and Seth Rogen written all over it.

 

[MissingRing]

I see the firing of Johnson as yet another indicator of the extent to which Auburn labors in Alabama's shadow. Maybe they had issues with Johnson's performance prior to the Iron Bowl, but it's hard not to read this event as a kneejerk reaction to "55 - 44". It makes the Aubs look desperate, which they are.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

Not a surprise. Same can be said for Texas A/M earlier.
Don't be surprised to see Muschamp's name prominently mentioned unless someone calls him about a H/C job.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Whoever pays the most would be my guess. Honestly, he could end up as a HC again with some of the vacancies coming up.

It was kind of obvious this was coming, I think I suggested here yesterday that Muschamp could be going to Auburn. They've had some dissent in the locker room for most of the season.

If Muschamp's UF contract is like most, any coach salary during his payout years will just offset what UF will pay him. He will opt for the the best career redevelopment opportunity. I'm biased, but an assistant position at Bama would give him a year to concentrate on coaching...

 

[rick4bama]

It doesn't matter who the aUfamily get to replace EJ . That guy will be who the AuFamily was wanted all the time.