December 13, 2008

Auburn Set to Name New Coach

Looks like word is coming out that Auburn is set to announce their new coach--just in time for Christmas. It looks like it's going to be: Iowa State HC Gene Chizik. Yes, that Gene Chizik. Florida alum and former Auburn and Texas DC who's been on the job as HC at Iowa State for a whopping two years now is coming back to the Plains to succeed Tommy Tuberville. Chizik compiled a 5-19 record with the Cyclones, including a 10-game losing streak to end this season.

Boy, when Auburn AD Jay Jacobs says that there was a dearth of rock-star coaches out there, he wasn't kidding. This same Jacobs, of money's-no-object fame. You know, the same one who lost the poker match with Tuberville. Maybe that $5 mil that Auburn paid Tuberville includes some hands-on, follow-on training with his successor, like showing him around the office and the campus and showing him how to win a football game...

To say that this hire is underwhelming is to sell it way short. Words are basically fruitless to try and describe how the Auburn nation feels at this point. Whatever happened to hiring the hot hand, or the next great up-and-comer? What has Chizik done to warrant being promoted to the helm of one of the SEC's better programs? Yea? I can't figure it out either. If anyone comes up with anything, please let me know. I think Auburn has just resigned themselves to mediocrity for the next few years. Maybe then, they'll think twice about monkeying with what they've got.

Comments:

Auburn Set to Name New Coach
Looks like word is coming out that Auburn is set to announce their new coach--just in time for Christmas. It looks like it's going to be: Iowa State HC Gene Chizik. Yes, that Gene Chizik. Florida alum and former Auburn and Texas DC who's been on the job as HC at Iowa State for a whopping two years now is coming back to the Plains to succeed Tommy Tuberville. Chizik compiled a 5-19 record with the Cyclones, including a 10-game losing streak to end this season. Boy, when Auburn AD Jay Jacobs says that there was a dearth of rock-star coaches out there, he wasn't kidding. This same Jacobs, of money's-no-object fame. You know, the same one who lost the poker match with Tuberville. Maybe that $5 mil that Auburn paid Tuberville includes some hands-on, follow-on training with his successor, like showing him around the office and the campus and showing him how to win a football game... To say that this hire is underwhelming is to sell it way short. Words are basically fruitless to try and describe how the Auburn nation feels at this point. Whatever happened to hiring the hot hand, or the next great up-and-comer? What has Chizik done to warrant being promoted to the helm of one of the SEC's better programs? Yea? I can't figure it out either. If anyone comes up with anything, please let me know. I think Auburn has just resigned themselves to mediocrity for the next few years. Maybe then, they'll think twice about monkeying with what they've got.