FanHouse JayJacobs

Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs has started doing something really cool. Periodically, he will send out emails to Auburn alumni and fans and talk about the state of the Tiger athletics department. The letters are always interesting and shed light on exactly how things are viewed by the Auburn administration.

I thought I would share with you his most letter. In it, he talks about how the bowl payouts work and what Auburn's cut is from the bowl season. It's a very interesting read. Enjoy...

Dear Auburn Family,

The Auburn Tigers made history on New Year's Day. They became the first Auburn football team to defeat Nebraska in our first-ever AT&T Cotton Bowl victory. This year's outstanding seniors also set a new school record with 41 wins over four years.

Of course they will also be remembered for never having lost to Alabama. A hard-fought victory against Nebraska was a fitting finish for this team, led by a memorable group of seniors who will leave a great legacy of success on and off the field.

Consider this when reflecting on this year and where we are as a football program: Auburn is 33-5 over the past three seasons. That is third best in the country behind the past two national champions, Texas and USC.

Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs is a lightening rod to many. Everybody has an opinion of him. He's one of those guys that you either like or you don't. He has arguably the toughest job in all of college football. He's tasked with handling the day-to-day operations of the athletic department while at the same time working with the most dysfunctional board of trustees in the country.

He's in the middle of one of the most aggressive fund raising campaigns in school history. It's a role that puts him at odds with many in the Auburn community. How do you reach out to influential booster Bobby Lowder while also trying to maintain some semblance of independence? Throw in the fact that Jacobs is not one of the more outgoing people you'll meet in life and you have someone who invokes strong feelings in almost everyone.

Whether or not Jacobs realizes this is anybody's guess. But you have to give him props for the move he made today. Many of you probably received an email from him addressing some of the issues facing the athletic program. Frankly, I'm not sure how I got it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a season ticket holder or just signed up for some email list.

In the letter, he talks about why Auburn is playing Georgia early in the day, the progress being made on the new basketball facility and the process of how SEC teams are selected for bowl games. It was very good and very enlightening.

Jacobs promises to do more of these open letters. Let's hope he does. It gives Auburn people an opportunity to "hear it from the horse's mouth." And I mean that in the best way. Even though the topics are light, the open dialog is appreciated. Below is the letter from Jacobs...