Charles Barkley wants Auburn fans to take a breath, quit looking over at Alabama, and appreciate what’s already in front of them.
During a recent appearance on The Next Round, Barkley used a discussion about coaching pairings at Alabama and Florida to pivot into a defense of Auburn’s current leadership. He made clear he likes what the Tigers have in Alex Golesh and said the program’s biggest problem has long been the same one.
“I’m happy with Alex (Golesh),” Barkley told the show. “… See I’m not one of them loser Auburn fans who worry about what other people are doing.
“I always support our team no matter what. I think one of the weaknesses of Auburn, and it’s always been a weakness, we spend so much time worrying about what’s happening in Tuscaloosa. We don’t appreciate how good a school we got.”
Barkley said Auburn still has work to do in football, but he’s sticking with the coach and trusting the people around the program who believe the Tigers have the right guy in place.
“We got to get better in football. I love our coach,” Barkley said.
“… I ask people who know, they love our coach. I mean, all the guys at ESPN, they’re like, you guys got a winner there.”
He also pushed for patience, pointing to Auburn’s recent basketball success as another reason for fans to ease up and recognize the bigger picture.
“You just got to give him some time and be patient,” Barkley said. “But we spend way too much time worrying about what’s happening over in Tuscaloosa instead of appreciating what we got down at Auburn. I mean, dude, we’ve been to the Final Four twice in the last few years.
“You know, we won the NIT last year. So our basketball program has been doing fine.
I like Steve (Pearl) and Bruce (Pearl) did a hell of a job, but hey, listen, Sumrall’s a hell of a coach too, but I’m happy with our coaches, man. We’re going to be fine.”
Barkley’s message was simple: Auburn has coaches worth believing in, and fans should spend less time fixating on Alabama and more time backing what’s already in place.
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For Auburn, that kind of personnel change matters because the Tigers have been looking for ways to stress protection and create pressure off the edge. Any disruption along Tennessees line can alter how an offense handles twists, stunts and blitz looks, and it gives Auburns pass rush a clearer opening to dictate terms early in the game. [Read more 🡒]
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For Auburn, the trip to Tennessee stands out because it is the kind of matchup that can turn quickly if the Tigers catch the right break and the Volunteers are not at their best. The forecast is only a projection, of course, but it does suggest Auburn may finally have the opening it has been looking for against a high-profile SEC opponent, which is exactly the sort of possibility that keeps this time of year so interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Suddenly Has A Protection Problem Auburn Fans Will Notice
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For Auburn fans, the ripple effect is worth watching because Tennessee now has to reshuffle protection at a spot that was helping keep the pocket clean for Faizon Brandon. Losing a player of Moes caliber changes the entire feel of that line, and it adds a layer of uncertainty to a unit that already had to carry a heavy load. [Read more 🡒]