Popular Post AUght2win 7,079 Posted November 2, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) There isn’t really such a thing as a feel good aspect to CBH’s tenure. But this is kind of close to one. Former Auburn head coach Doug Barfield is a family friend. He’s alive and still working today. He’s also an extremely sweet man who still resides in the state. Sadly, for many years now, the name “Barfield” has become synonymous with bad Auburn football. I’m not here to make the argument the association was off base. I mean, even I have been guilty of using his name when things are looking bleak on the field. CDB and his family are well aware to the fact he’s been our quintessential punching bag for 40 years. Yet, to this day, Coach Barfield holds no grudge for Auburn or its fans - despite certainly having a legitimate reason to. He’s been our Bill Buckner. And that’s not a fun thing to be. But the bright side, is just as Buckner was freed of his stigma when the Red Sox finally won it all in 2004, Doug Barfield is now free of the title of “worst ever” when it comes to Auburn football. That easily belongs to Bryan Harsin - whose lack of effort and disrespect for the Auburn job makes him a much more fitting barometer of bad than Coach Barfield. Especially when you add to the fact that CDB didn’t take home even a fraction of $15 million for his struggles. Breaking it down in retrospect, Barfield’s tenure nearly as bad as it’s been portrayed. CDB inherited a much worse program than CBH did, and slowly built it back up. He finished his four years at Auburn with an overall winning record, and a winning record in conference play (when accounting for 2 Miss State forfeits). He was 2-0 in Athens, with two blowout wins. In 1979, he was 7 points short of a conference title. Throughout his tenure, he was also responsible for some of the best offenses and most exciting players in school history - laying the foundation of Auburn becoming Runningback U. I think this will happen naturally. But going forward, let’s stop using Coach Barfield’s name when things are at rock bottom. We now have a new rock bottom - and the name who brought it to us is “Harsin”. War Eagle, Coach Barfield. And here’s to the relief you’ve long deserved! Edited November 2, 2022 by AUght2win 22 3 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdgeneration 6,655 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 I love this and thank you for sharing. It’s not easy to coach at Auburn, as passionate as our fans are. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taker 494 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 I am on board.... the Barfield Era will now be known as just a low point in AU football.... Now the Hard up harsin Era will be the new standard for SUCKING 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUINSY 2,273 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 The one redeeming factor is at least we won in Baton Rouge for the first time…this century? No other upside besides that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUght2win 7,079 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 10 minutes ago, 3rdgeneration said: I love this and thank you for sharing. It’s not easy to coach at Auburn, as passionate as our fans are. Says a lot about how good Auburn is as a program that a guy who had a winning record over 4 years in the SEC was vilified so much. Coach Barfield could have posted these results at many other mid level Power 5 schools and stayed for years - perhaps even having time to grow into an elite coach. I think the Tennessee game in 80 was so intensely bad that everybody forgot his whole tenure wasn’t a disaster. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr82be 14,935 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 4 minutes ago, Taker said: I am on board.... the Barfield Era will now be known as just a low point in AU football.... Now the Hard up harsin Era will be the new standard for SUCKING However, I'm sure through no fault of his own, Doug Barfield had to be the worst dressed Auburn coach based on this photo. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taker 494 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 4 minutes ago, gr82be said: However, I'm sure through no fault of his own, Doug Barfield had to be the worst dressed Auburn coach based on this photo. Apparently style was not on his radar back then lol.... as you can see in the other photo he came around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr82be 14,935 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) @AUght2win not to take away from your assessment overall but the W/L record doesn't add up. Looks like he was 27-27-1 overall and 13-16-1 in the SEC. Did that reflect a forfeit from someone along the way? Edited November 2, 2022 by gr82be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUght2win 7,079 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 14 minutes ago, gr82be said: @AUght2win not to take away from your assessment overall but the W/L record doesn't add up. Looks like he was 27-27-1 overall and 13-16-1 in the SEC. Did that reflect a forfeit from someone along the way? Yes I believe so. Miss State had 2 forfeits. But on the field I think he was .500. Don’t quote me on that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUght2win 7,079 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 25 minutes ago, gr82be said: However, I'm sure through no fault of his own, Doug Barfield had to be the worst dressed Auburn coach based on this photo. Oh my man, are you not familiar with a man by the name of Gene Chizik? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuCivilEng1 12,293 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) Every Auburn coach since Barfield has been instrumental in building the Auburn brand, except Harsin. Auburn history will not be kind to him and he deserves it. Edited November 2, 2022 by AuCivilEng1 2 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passthebiscuits 7,021 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 Barfield went on to a very successful coaching career at Opelika High. Great man and always an Auburn ambassador. 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuCivilEng1 12,293 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, AUght2win said: Oh my man, are you not familiar with a man by the name of Gene Chizik? Whatchu talking bout! Chiz dressed like a pimp! His paisley shirts fueled Auburn’s natty run! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUght2win 7,079 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 Also worth noting (I’m not an expert, wasn’t alive during his era so those who were there feel free to chime in or correct) Barfield dealt with NCAA sanctions that prevented him from ever taking his team to a bowl (1979 especially) from infractions that took place prior to his HC tenure. Although, he was on staff when the infractions were committed. Still, another tough obstacle he dealt with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passthebiscuits 7,021 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 1 hour ago, AuCivilEng1 said: Whatchu talking bout! Chiz dressed like a pimp! His paisley shirts fueled Auburn’s natty run! Don’t forget the jersey shorts and the no arms windbreakers. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aucom96 1,658 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 2 hours ago, passthebiscuits said: Don’t forget the jersey shorts and the no arms windbreakers. The Members Only Jacket of college football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
api1957 1,783 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 5 hours ago, gr82be said: However, I'm sure through no fault of his own, Doug Barfield had to be the worst dressed Auburn coach based on this photo. I’d rock the hell outta that ‘fit!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gowebb11 9,945 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 I always gave Coach Barfield a pass because he bought us Brooks and Cribbs and Fast Freddie Smith. Win or lose, those guys made AU football fun to watch. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hay Field 101 669 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 3 hours ago, api1957 said: I’d rock the hell outta that ‘fit!! I want one !!!!!!!!!!! somebody send me a link and I will wear it the first home game of the new coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEAugirl 9,649 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, AuCivilEng1 said: Every Auburn coach since Barfield has been instrumental in building the Auburn brand, except Harsin. Auburn history will not be kind to him and he deserves it. Bowden…..eh. Not sure what was instrumental about his time here, it was full of drama. Edited November 2, 2022 by AEAugirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleEye67 1,948 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 4 hours ago, aucom96 said: The Members Only Jacket Hey, I had a couple of those.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuCivilEng1 12,293 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 1 hour ago, AEAugirl said: Bowden…..eh. Not sure what was instrumental about his time here, it was full of drama. His first couple of years were huge. And let’s be honest. It was full of drama for the time it was, but Auburn has been surrounded by drama ever since, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltyTiger 8,596 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 10 hours ago, gr82be said: However, I'm sure through no fault of his own, Doug Barfield had to be the worst dressed Auburn coach based on this photo. Looks “cool” to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Colonel 34 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 I think, technically, the Earl Brown era was the absolute low point of Auburn football. Barfield seemed to be headed slowly upward then BAM - 1980 UT game and it all came crashing down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShocksMyBrain 9,776 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 8 hours ago, passthebiscuits said: Don’t forget the jersey shorts and the no arms windbreakers. The Shacket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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