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Tommy Tuberville talks Ole Miss investigation, potential run for governor

Michael Wayne Bratton

By Michael Wayne Bratton

Published:

There may be no better person to ask about how to deal with NCAA issues in Oxford than former Rebel head coach Tommy Tuberville. The former SEC coach did his best to hold the Ole Miss football program afloat following severe sanctions that were imposed on the school back in 1994.

During a recent 20-minute interview with The Opening Kickoff on WNSP 105.5, Tuberville went into great detail — based on his experiences in Oxford — on the challenges currently facing Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze in the wake of the current NCAA investigation.

“Hopefully, they can work through this, get everything rectified,” Tuberville said on the air. “Hugh is a good guy. It’s going to be hard to work through this, but I think he can. Just have to be honest and talk about it. Get everybody rallied around. Whenever you have problems like this, you have to circle the wagons.

“I’m not sure what the NCAA will do. When they smell blood, they really get after it.

“The last time (the NCAA came down on Ole Miss) in 1994, we almost got the death penalty. We lost 24 scholarships, no (televised games), no bowl for two years… It was devastating. I didn’t realize what I was getting into.”

Of course, Tuberville is also known for being Auburn’s former head coach and made headlines recently went it was reported the former coach was considering running to become governor of Alabama. Tuberville expounded on this his interest in a potential political run.

“I think I could make a difference if I do decide to run because it is all about sales, organization, leadership,” Tuberville said. “Some people say you not been in politics, but I’ve been in a big part of it. This whole country is politics now.”

“If I figure and I think I can help this state – which I think I could – then I might give it a run.”

Tuberville was asked if he would reach out to Alabama head coach Nick Saban, in order to get an endorsement. While the former coach somewhat skated on the question, it doesn’t appear he believes Saban would have any issue with him running for governor.

“I have a good relationship with Nick, we go way back,” Tuberville said. “We had some great battles. It’s a situation where obviously he’s done an excellent job. When I was here at Auburn, I faced quite a few Alabama coaches. You have to use all your friends (to make a run for governor)… I know as many Alabama folks as I do Auburn folks.”

Sounds like Tuberville is already preparing to speak like a politician.

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com

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