APWith the clock ticking — maybe — on Gene Chizik‘s time at Auburn, the university has finally addressed its embattled head coach and the football program.
Somewhat.
In a statement released by the university Thursday afternoon, president Jay Gogue said that he understands the concerns expressed to his office regarding the Tigers’ on-field performance this season “are sincere and heartfelt, and I share many of them.” Chizik was not mentioned by name, and Gogue said that, as the school does annually, “the football program will be evaluated in an objective, thorough and professional process.”
The Tigers have stumbled out of the gate at 1-6, and have lost all five SEC games this season. In fact, AU hasn’t won a conference game since Oct. 29 of last year, and have lost eight of their last nine in SEC play. The worst part? The Tigers are staring a winless SEC season straight in the face as they still have No. 22 Texas A&M (this weekend), No. 12 Georgia (Nov. 10) and No. 1 Alabama in the season-ending Iron Bowl (Nov. 24).
Only non-conference games against New Mexico State and FCS-level Alabama A&M will afford the Tigers any realistic shot at winning again before the curtain closes on the 2012 season, if not Chizik’s time on The Plains.
Gogue, though, implored in his letter to the masses that the fan base continues to support the players.
“For everything there is a time, and now is the time to support,” read the closing paragraph of Gogue’s missive. “The young men and women – our students – who make up Auburn University are grateful for the dedication of their extended Auburn Family. So am I.”
Wonder when they are going to address reports that Jordan Diamond was paid $50k for his commitment.
“objective, thorough, professional”
Gene you are fired.
RTR
I told the Auburn grad in-law after the Tigers lost to Clemson that I thought Chizik would be on the hot seat by the end of the season. He said, “No way, Chizik won a national title two years ago.” He no longer argues the point. Everyone now understands that it was Cam Newton’s national title, and GC will be let go by season’s end.
If Tennessee doesn’t land Gruden, look for Auburn and the Vols to slug it out over Bobby Petrino.
Just a short time removed from a national championship and now without Cam…what a difference one player makes. Someone may know what the buyout may be for Chizik and his assistants but if it is anything like Dooley and his assistants at Tennessee, I doubt Chizik will be released.
Considering the deafening din of anti-Chizik voices echoing from the Plains when he was hired, surely Auburn didn’t give Chizik a Dooleylike contract. They wouldn’t have taken that risk … would they?
Hardly a rousing endorsement of Coach Chizik.
This is the second time I have read a rumor about Bobby Petrino landing somewhere in the SEC. Is he really that hot? Hasn’t he screwed up too much already to be considered for a top tier job?
Has a team ever gotten so little from a National Championship?
Bobby Petrino Is a great coach but got caught up in abit of sin imo.You look back at his recruiting and mosty always see alot of 3 star players recruited but he turns them into some of the best college players in the game.As queenlivekillers posted im sure is correct Bobby will be back and in the SEC soon.Alot of people don`t care for Bobby but i believe he can turn a team like Auburn around like he has done for Arkansas.Auburn would be so lucky to get Bobby as a head coach and be a contending team every season.Just my opinion.
Look, Chizik just needs another couple of years to turn things around. They’re a young team. They replaced two coordinators. Auburn would be making a grave mistake by firing a God-fearing Auburn man like Gene Chizik.
Relax. All he’s gotta do is find another great QB who got arrested and asked to leave his former school and another weed smoking moron lineman. It should be easy in SEC country.
You guys hated him from the moment he stepped off the plane. Then he bought you a national title and you loved him. Now, he’s apparently run out of money to buy big recruits and we’re back to hating him.
Not sure if the “god fearing” comment was sarcastic or not but not sure what that has to do with coaching.
Deb says:Oct 25, 2012 10:21 PM
Considering the deafening din of anti-Chizik voices echoing from the Plains when he was hired, surely Auburn didn’t give Chizik a Dooleylike contract. They wouldn’t have taken that risk … would they?
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Deb, after the NC Chizik got a contract much larger than Dooleys. His buyout alone (not even counting his subordinates is around $10 million.
Petting would be a great hire but I don’t think auborn will go after him they seem to place a BIG emphasis on charactor. This is why they hire Chizik to begin with; he may not be the coach that Saban is but the consensus is he cares about his player where as the other coach in bama does not. The problem is a man of charactor doesn’t guarantee wins. And at the end of the day that’s what matters most. That being said Auborn will stick to hire charactor men for their head coaching job. Personally I think they should go after Boise states head man perfect fit question is would he leave the blue field for the sec
Petrino sorry auto correct is a mother