Tuppence

I admit it. I use the phrase, about others and even about myself. Quite frankly, I’ve never thought about its origin.

“He’s got to put his two cents worth in”. “I’m going to put my two cents worth in”. You’ve heard the phrase “two cents worth”, but do you know the origin of the phrase, and what it really means?

The phrase is derived from the British idiom “my tuppence worth”, which is used to depreciate the opinion to follow, suggesting that the opinion is only going to be worth about a “tuppence”, or two pennies. It goes hand-in-hand with another British idiom from the 16th century: “a penny for your thoughts”.

Reflecting on it, I find it’s mostly true. For usually, when I hear someone say, “Well, here’s MY two cents worth”, the opinion they give is usually worth no more than a tuppence.

Keeping that in mind, I toss my tuppence worth into the Auburn coaching search discussion.

This past week, I felt as though I were only a “heartbeat away” from the real action of the coaching search. I was in New York all week, where the American College Football Association was having their annual banquet and Hall of Fame induction. These meetings and banquet were held Tuesday evening at the Waldorf Astoria. I was staying across the street from the Waldorf’s back entrance.

On Monday evening, while sitting in the concierge lounge at the Marriott, Mark May from ESPN College Football fame, came in. He sat at a table next to mine, and we struck up a conversation. It began with the Auburn-West Virginia game, and Tuberville’s decision to have the sideline heaters turned off after half-time. Of course, our discussion moved on to Auburn’s coaching search. To summarize, it was his strong belief that most everyone being interviewed in NY would not ultimately become the new head coach.

I have thought about his tuppence worth. Maybe he’s right. Maybe not. In any case, here’s mine.

Auburn has a long and rich history surrounding it’s football program. Being an amateur student of history, there is one overriding reason we should study and know our history. To learn from it.

In 1980, Auburn’s football program was on life-support. It shouldn’t have been, because talent was there. But there was no urgency. No belief. No vision. Using a Biblical analogy from Jeremiah, “without a vision, the people perish”. Auburn football was perishing.

Doug Barfield was the wrong man at the wrong time. Across the state, Bear Bryant was at the pinnacle of his career. With the firing of Barfield, Auburn cast a wide net in search for their new coach. Many wanted Auburn to hit the proverbial “home run”, because it needed someone who could stand toe-to-toe with “The Bear”.

Vince Dooley ALMOST became that person.

Rather, Auburn hired a young coach who’s winning percentage was barely 70%. Averaging seven wins out of ten games was less than what many Auburn people were looking for. And when Pat Dye was announced as the new head coach, there were lots of orange and blue fans across Alabama looking at each other saying “Pat Who?”

But Auburn hired a coach who reflected Auburn football. Guts. Run oriented. Power. Self-confidence. Not much flash but an awful lot of “in your face” football. A coach who believed you won and lost on the line of scrimmage, and who challenged the manhood of every player.

When asked how long it would take to beat the Legendary Bear and his troops, Dye didn’t hesitate. “60 Minutes”. As we’ve been reminded this week, it actually took 120.

So my tuppence worth is this. Learn from our history. Don’t worry about what ESPN says. Don’t worry about the Finebaum’s and the Belue’s. Don’t worry about hitting the proverbial “home run”.

Rather, hire someone who reflects Auburn football. Someone who will fit who we are, and will take us to where we ought to be. Someone who will answer the question, “how long will it take to beat the great Sabear?” with the answer…..”60 minutes.”

That’s my tuppence.

WJLaneSR