The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-29
A Little Explanation

a twenty-year sojourn down on
 A Little Explanation
 1 have been asked thousand times just what I meant Tn my football story of the Auburn Centre game, when the phrase' "A House Divided Against It. self Cannot Stand" was dug from the mothballs, used and proven impractical. That's just exactly what was meant. And. that probably has more than any one thing to do with the reasons Of Mike rendering his resigna- ton.
 Some people in pretty close touch with the athletic doings at Auburn-men who now have, and men who have enjoyed authority at the institution in the past have been camping on Mikes neck. They have not passed up a single opportunity to huri criticism at the sandy-haired mentor. It even loked sometimes that they would relish reverse in order that they might sink the harpoon of criticism deep CT into Mikes hide.
 Criticism was at its crest here immediately prior to the Auburn game, and this criticism reached the ears of the Auburn players. That's what stirred 'em up to such a high pitch of wrath. That's what made 'em fight for Mike Donahue. It develops that my account of Mikes talk to the team preceding the game was a bit garbled. He never made personal plea that they fight for him. but that's just what they did. John Shirey told me after the battle, so did Ed shirl- ing and others. We fought for Mike" they said.
 And, while no reason has been given for his severance of coach ing relations with Auburn, still that rather vague assertion My nervous temperament will not permit me to coach here" would probably read: "Too much criti- cism and haranguing, if one would only take time to deeode between the lines.
 Several Good Offers
 It has been whispered around pretty loudly at times-that Mike would not be at Auburn next year. As matter of fact I had just such an article for this column already up in type the Monday following the Au- Centre game. But when I approached Mike about the mat ter, he denied it so stoutly that the story was discarded for the time, rather than create any feel ing of dissension at Auburn other than what already existed.
 It is understood on good au- thority that Donahue was of fered the job as head coach at Louisiana State university at a salary of $7,500 a year. This he turned down. On the heels of the bid from l.. S. II. came a healthier contract from the Uni- versity of Kentucky. The Ken lucky job. according to the ram pant rumor-was the one Mike had decided to accept.
 Still, there are other little ru- mors scampering around the football realm-one to the effect tha; Donahue would be signed for Alabama, succeeding Ken Scott. I can't put much credence in the Alabama rumor, for 1t was broadcasted several weeks ago and an alumus. pretty we'll on the inside of things at Ala bama, stoutly denied it. adding that the feeling between Ala bama and Auburn was more friendly than 1t had been in years and that Alabama would certainly do nothing that would cause a breach.
 Another bit of gossip is to the effect that Mike will go back to his first love-Yale. Though it is not generally known, Mike played and starred for Old Eli more years ago than he cares to remember and 1t has been said that within. the past two years he had been made pretty tempt ing offers to come back and coach Yale's line.
 Even the University of Georgia is mentioned as putting in a bid for Donahue's services.
 Bon Voyage, Mike
 But. wherever he goes. and wherever he hangs up his hat. the good wishes of thousands of Alabamians will follow him and those pulling for him in Alabama when his team steps upon the field will be legion. For through the years Mike has made many friends in Alabama. He probably possesses more real, staunch friends than any man connected with sports in the state.
 He's as clean as hounds tooth. courageous. straightfor- ward and square. His sportsman ship has made the people of Ala bama love him and they know his fighting spirit, his pluck and his honesty will win for him wherever he goes.
 Auburn will always be heard from, for Auburn is one of the south's greatest institutions, but Auburn will have to look long and patiently to find a man who can fill Mikes shoes as head coach and developer of material.
 Cope Earns Vacation
 Coach Harris G. Cope leaves for his home in Gainesville, Ga, today, to spend months vaca- tion The Howard mentor has earned this thirty days Of rest. for if there ever was a man who had worked into the night with the mediocre material and finally