DID AUBURN MISS THE BIG PRIZE?

Mike Shanahan was fired Tuesday in Denver. Do you remember where Shanahan sewed his oates as an offensive wizard? Gainesville... as in The University of Florida. Before he was one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, he was Mike Shanahan Gators Offensive Coordinator from 1980-83.

I'm not saying Auburn did anything wrong by hiring Gene Chizik when they did, but could you imagine the possibilities? A search that lasted until the end of the NFL season would have opened the door for at least a conversation with Shanahan.

Same deal with Tennessee.

Just like Bill Cowher, I doubt Mike Shanahan wants to recruit or shake hands and play golf tournaments with boosters. He'll end up in New York or Cleveland or maybe just switch jobs with Gary Kubiak with the Texans (Shanahan is great friends with the Bush Family in Texas). It would have been fun though to have a 56 year old Mike Shanahan back in the SEC though. Can you imagine the rivalry if he was at Auburn or Tennessee with Nick Saban on the Alabama sideline? That would have been fun.

OTHER NOTES:

-My friend Charles Barkley arrested on suspicion of DUI. I always wonder why men who make as much money as Charles just don't have a driver.

-I have a bad feeling about the SEC Bowl record. Games start today. Vandy and LSU are underdogs. Andre Smith is out vs. Utah. Could the SEC go 0-8? It would not be the biggest shock of the year.

-Make sure you vote in all the poll questions at dandbradio.com today. My picks: Biggest sports story in the state this year... Alabama #1 for 5 weeks; SEC Bowl Record...4 wins; Biggest upset... Ole Miss over Florida in the swamp; Best NFL Game this weekend... Colts at Chargers.

WAITING FOR OTHER SHOE TO DROP

Something is missing in the Andre Smith story. I've done this a long time. Few players I've encountered have had the genuine kindness and character of Smitty. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop on this story. Either a family member made a really dumb mistake or Alabama is having to play this thing extra conservative because of past crimes. I do not think Andre Smith would jeopardize his legacy for a few early dollars... but I do know my family tree has a few nuts in it and I bet his does too. Here's the rub, when you pull up a weed... the roots come from everywhere and go back a long way. We'll see soon where these roots take us.

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ALSO: Patrick Nix was fired Monday at Miami. The college football world will see Nix as a bust as an offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and Miami. The numbers don't lie. What numbers don't show is the circumstances that surround programs and offensive units. Quarterback issues were inherited and never solved on either campus. I think Nix is a good football coach and Auburn would be smart to have him as a position coach on this staff. After all, he now has two stops in big time college football where he has gained great experience at trying to score points with shaky QB play.

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FINAL SHOT: Sen'Derrick Marks is leaving Auburn for the NFL. I expect Antonio Coleman to join him off that Auburn defense on January 3rd in a news conference at Williamson High School in Mobile. I also think Glenn Coffee will take a long hard look at leaving as well.

ANDRE SMITH OUT OF SUGAR BOWL

Statement from Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban

Andre Smith has been suspended from participating in the Sugar Bowl due to a violation of team rules and policies. The University of Alabama, the team and the football program are more important than any individual player. Everyone on our team depends on each other to be responsible, to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions.

Andre Smith has done an outstanding job in our program as a person, student and a player and we will do all we can as an institution to support him in all future endeavors.

Our priority and focus as a team is to play the best football game of the season in this Sugar Bowl, and to support our players to overcome any adversity this unfortunate situation has created

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM D&B

Merry Christmas from the entire Dunaway and Brown family. We pray that God blesses your family not only during this holiday season, but that you let God lead your path in 2009.

Our poll question Tuesday on DandBradio.com asked what was the greatest Christmas song of all-time? My favorite was not an option.

Nothing gives me the feelings and emotions of Christmas like Go Tell It On The Mountain.

What better message:

While shepards kept their watch o'er silent flocks by night, beyond, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light.

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

The best part for me, the song is just as meaningful on July 25th as December 25th.

Embrace the message and then let's all Go deliver the message on the mountain and everywhere in 2009. That's our goal in the New Year.

God Bless You and Merry Christmas,

Jim Dunaway
Dunaway and Brown Co-Host