Gene on the Scene

Let's take a look at the "pros" and "cons" of Auburn's decision to hire Gene Chizik.

Chizik has several things going for him that make him an attractive candidate.

Deep ties to the "recruiting rich" state of Florida, Chizik is a native of  the "Sunshine" state.  He played one season for the Gators, and was a defensive coordinator at Central Florida for four years.

Chizik also has experience at Auburn. He knows the "fight song," the high school coaches, whose calls he needs to return quickly, and knows how important football is to the "Auburn family."

Then there's that national championship ring from his first year at Texas (2005). It's very much a recruiting tool.   Chizik can look high school seniors in the eye and tell them he knows what it takes to win it all.

And though his head coaching career is off to a bumpy start, there's no substitute for that experience of being the guy in charge.

You have to figure Chizik's already learned from the mistakes every first-time head coach makes.

There are also several "cons" to the selection of Gene Chizik as Auburn's next coach.

For starters, this is NOT a homerun hire.

Chizik lacks the "star power" that Alabama got two years ago when it hired Nick Saban.

And while Chizik has head coaching experience, that 5-19 record is not going to bowl over anybody - Chizik's Cyclones were 0-8 in the Big 12 this year.

And some Auburn fans will look at this as a "missed opportunity" to make a progressive hire with Buffalo's Turner Gill, who has similar credentials (except for SEC experience) and would've been viewed as a splashier hire nationally.

B

ottom line: long before Will Muschamp became the hot name on Auburn's list, Gene Chizik WAS Will Muschamp: young, fiery defensive coordinator on everyone's radar.

Chizik's "star power" faded because of those back-to-back bad seasons at Iowa State, but just two  years ago, Gene Chizik was one of the most sought-after assistants in the country.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs is staking HIS job on the hope that Chizik can re-gain that star power and revive Auburn's program.

Comments

[Kevin Long]

The litmus test for any new coach at Auburn ought to hinge on whether or not he is liked and has the approval of legendary Alabama sportswriter Phillips Marshall. If Phil likes you and thinks you're okay, the new coach should be accepted no questions asked. Phil is a local icon and state treasure and members of the electronic media should have much more respect for him than they apparently do.