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

East Elmhurst

At least now I know why they asked me that question. I mean, when they asked me, it seemed like a reasonable question. After all, the hotel is just across the freeway from LaGuardia Airport.

If you’ve never been to East Elmhurst, it might be a good thing. As I was looking at the neighborhood from behind the tinted windows of my limousine (o.k., it was a Lincoln Towncar from a Manhattan car service) I thought to myself, “This ain’t a very good neighborhood”. And yet, right here, is the New York-LaGuardia Crowne Plaza. Suffice it to say that I won’t be going on a cardio-walk outside to catch some fresh air.

I don’t usually stay by the airport. But thanks to Delta NOT “being ready when I am”, my evening flight from LaGuardia to Spartanburg was cancelled tonight. Whoopie! I get to stay another night in the city, but since I have already checked out of my hotel and can’t find another one less than $600 a night, I get to visit East Elmhurst.

To make matters worse, the computer system was down when I checked in about an hour ago. I can’t wait to see what has been billed to my room! Which brings me back to the question.

It seemed reasonable enough. When I checked in, I was hungry. My last meal was lunch, which was a chef salad from Au Bon Pain. Great salad, but lasted only about 4 hours. Thankfully, they serve food at the bar in the Crowne Plaza of East Elmhurst.

I ordered the nachos with beef, which was soggy with overcooked (I certainly HOPE) ground beef. And I admit, after the day I had, I ordered a Blue Moon to wash it down with. So back to the question.

I noticed when I entered the bar, which by the way was the ONLY place to get something to eat, that there was a lot of “mingling” going on. Most of these were people in the mid forty to sixty something range. I kept looking for storm clouds and father Noah, because the people seemed to be gathering two by two and leaving the bar together. I thought to myself that if it started raining in there, I might be in trouble.

The man behind the bar said to me, “you haven’t been in here before, have you?” I said, “Nope, and I wouldn’t be here now if my flight hadn’t been cancelled.” He then gave me a warning. He said, “Be careful. This is a hangout for lonely divorced people, or people who are just looking for some companionship for the night. Let me know if anyone bothers you.”

Well THAT’S just great. And all this time, I thought the question asked of me by the clerk behind the counter had to do with whether or not I had an evening flight. But NOOO. The question CLEARLY had a different meaning, which I didn’t pick up on. Because the clerk asked me, “Mr. Lane, will you be staying with us overnight, or just for a few hours?”

Writing from my room ALONE...and hoping to get home tomorrow....

WJLaneSR