The Pope's recent decision to step down has got us thinking. Does a man really need to have the same job for the rest of his life?
When it comes to Jay Jacobs, we don't think so.
Jacobs has been athletic director since 2004, a tenure one year longer than the Pope, and his performance has left much to be desired. Sure, he hired Gene Chizik -- that guy who got us a national championship -- but one good year out of four lackluster or outright terrible seasons is not much to brag about.
We won't go into detail about all the other coaches Jacobs has hired who are making sure we have an ample supply of losses.
They know who they are, especially basketball coach Tony Barbee, who told AL.com's Joel Erikson he was "embarrassed" to coach the Tigers. No, this column is about Jacobs, the man behind the mediocrity.
In the SEC, and we would imagine all the other NCAA conferences agree, wins are all that matters. It's not personal, but if you aren't helping us win, then get out of the way.
Take the Pope for instance; he knows he can't help anyone while he's sick, so he makes way for someone who can.
Right now, Jacobs is our sick Pope. Unfortunately, he's a little too comfortable in his gold throne at the athletic department.
Jacobs earns approximately $600,000 and can receive a max bonus of $150,000.
For what? Hiring losing coaches?
Schmoozing with SEC big wigs?
Near the end of last semester, we printed an editorial calling for Jacobs to be fired, and we aren't backing down from that. We still stand by the notion that the 'good-ole boy' network, or the remnants of Pat Dye's influence, needs to go away before our football program can truly compete with the likes of Bama. The athletic department needs a director that cares about wins, not honoring some archaic group of drinking buddies.
We like Pat Dye and are grateful for all he has done for the University, but it's time to let go. The game has changed beyond recognition since he was coach. The SEC in 2013 is not the place for ancient traditions that hinder our ability to hire coaches that win.
Like we said, it's not personal. Jacobs is a good guy. But nine years of subpar hiring decisions has made us tired and frustrated.
It's time to make a change for the better.
We can't be complacent and think Jacobs is the best man for the job simply because he's the only one doing it. $600,000 is a lot of money to pay someone to be bad at their job.
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