Chizik: The Anti Kiffin
by Jay Coulter on Jul 27, 2009 1:00 AM CDT
in Football
14 comments
Watching Auburn Coach Gene Chizik on stage at SEC Media Days last week brought back memories of Philosophy 101 at the Haley Center back in the 1980s. At times it was plain mind-numbing. Going from Tommy Tuberville to Chizik is like trading Jay Leno for Maury Povich. And let's face it; Tuberville was no laugh a minute.
There was no need for a laugh track Friday morning on stage at the Wynfrey Hotel. That would come later when Tennessee's Lane Kiffin took the stage. Just looking at Kiffin induces laughter these days.
Listening to the first year Auburn coach you would think he was an unpopular choice among fans; a man that's inheriting a team with no proven quarterback or receivers who can catch the ball. What's up with that?
Doesn't he know that today's new coaches go on the offensive immediately, guaranteeing victories over defending national champions who return 11 starters on defense and a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback? The talent level of your team is inconsequential.
If you are going to be heard in the SEC you must learn to quickly overload your backside while the cameras are rolling. In return, you get numerous mentions in national publications like Sports Illustrated and become feature stories on ESPN SportsCenter.
Come on Gene. It's time to get with the program.
I was a guest on a radio show Friday night following the day's SEC events and was asked how Auburn fans would react to a coach like Kiffin. Truthfully, I can't imagine it. It's just not Auburn. It's not what Auburn people are about. Give Chizik credit. He's handled this shotgun marriage far better than most of could under the circumstances.
Chizik gives the impression of a man who'd rather have dinner with Tuberville than crack a smile in public. He may not be your first choice to have beers and cigars with, but this quiet intensity of his is intriguing. Remember he was a pretty good defensive coach before he lost his mind and abilities in Ames, Iowa for two years.
On stage Friday he struck just the right tones and brushed back questions about his low key approach. "I've got three children and my wife," said Chizik. "I get plenty of attention when I go home. What gets you attention is when you win. It's that simple. I don't have to go out and gather attention for myself. It's not about me. It's about Auburn."
Terry Bowden he ain't.
Thankfully, all the criticisms and kudos thrown Chizik's way since his hire will soon be water under the bridge. Style points are about to be replaced by points on the scoreboard. Auburn's new man will quickly learn that wins make you look better and sound smarter.
Thank goodness football season is almost here.
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I think Coach Chizik will remain thoughtfully circumspect until he has established a winning track record at Auburn. The man is aware of everything that’s been said about him and must be somewhat tense, which is entirely understandable. He does not want to make a fool of himself or the university by outlandish proclamations.
Professional sports writers also subscribe to the less-is-more philosophy when predicting the team’s win-loss record. If you overshoot and are wrong, you are a homer. But if you undershoot and are wrong, then you don’t suffer from being overzealous. Your integrity is intact as everyone enjoys the unexpected but happily embraced success.
If we win this year, and I guess by all worst case scenarios that would be 6-6 and a bowl, then he will open up a bit more as he relaxes.
UT Fan Comments
Yes I’m trolling on your site as a UT fan, sorry about that.
I bet both Auburn and UT are dying to see how it all shakes out on the field. I know I am.
I gotta say, and I’m sure it’s biased, but I like UT’s chances over Auburn’s. Kiffin has recruited a better staff, and his first recruiting class was much much better. Considering both our coaches have horrible on the field results so far, I like UT better.
I’d rather take all the above stuff as positives versus the potential negatives of Kiffin (bad press, plus the whole “I’m going to run up the score on you now” BS threats).
On the good side for you guys, I bet if either coach is successful yours will hang around, Kiffin will go pro or to another school for more money.
Take issues with the following statement
Kiffin has recruited a better staff, and his first recruiting class was much much better.
Rivals: UT #10, AU #19
Scout: UT #8, AU #16
I wouldn’t call that “much much better.” And considering we had to rebuild our recruiting class from scratch in December, and you didn’t, I’d say it’s about a wash.
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Jul 27, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I live in Austin
and I went to see Emory Blake play several times last year and this kid is the real deal. He can fly and he’s got a good head on his shoulders, but what else should you expect when his father and uncle played pro ball.
I was really hoping Texas would have offered him, but at least he went out of conference. He would have been a beast at Texas Tech in Leach’s system.
I take exception to your claim that Kiffin has recruited a better staff. I’ll put Malzahn up against any offensive coordinator in college football right now. Yes, he’s young, and doesn’t have a long pedigree of name schools he’s coached up. But he is creative, energetic, and successful. Edge, Auburn.
You got Kiffin’s dad on defense. And that’s good. But I’ll take Chizik on defense. Call that even.
Kickers. Edge Auburn.
OL. Edge Auburn.
QB. That’s a bit tougher. You have one sort of good guy. We have like three sort of good guys. (heh) In case of an accident, Edge Auburn.
Uniforms. Edge Auburn
you got
at least one thing right….UT’s uniforms are the worst in all of college football.
"First, there are winners and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there are those who are not winners but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game."– Paul "Bear" Bryant
No way
Oregon and Hawaii are way worse, and that’s just off the top of my head. You may not like their shade of orange, but the uniform is a classic.
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Jul 28, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Hell no.
Oregon is a test pod for Nike…they might be weird looking but at least they are creative…and Hawaii isn’t all that bad…its just dark green and black…The “H” on the helmet looks kinda cool…now if we are talking about back when their were referred to as the “Rainbow Warriors”…then yeah..thats pretty bad…
But just to ask…you don’t find these uni’s horrific?
http://www.rockytoptalk.com/2009/7/26/963643/new-tn-uniforms-legit
"First, there are winners and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there are those who are not winners but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game."– Paul "Bear" Bryant
Well
They aren’t using those uniforms. No how, no way. I’m talking about the uniforms they’ve had for years. Unless you consider Alabama’s uniforms ugly, you don’t consider UT’s uniforms ugly. They’re the same style, just a different color scheme (and a different helmet scheme).
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Jul 29, 2009 3:16 AM CDT up reply actions
I think...
that Chizik has said and done everything right that he possibly can coming into the situation that he did. Now it’s crunch time. I think he will be fine.
Kiffin would not be a fit at Auburn. He’s not a fit at Tennessee, either, but it’s who they’re rolling with for now. Winning in Knoxville would change everything. I know many Vol fans and they tell me privately what they really think, but what control do they have over it at this point? 95 % of us were against Chizik when he was announced, but I think more Tigers are in line behind him now than there are Vols backing Kiffin. Loyal fans zip their trap until their proven right/wrong/whatever.
Let the games begin! God, I love college football season. I do love it so!
by War Eagle Atlanta on Jul 27, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions
the guys over at RTT
seem to be very behind Kiffin, so im not sure you are right about that.
"First, there are winners and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there are those who are not winners but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game."– Paul "Bear" Bryant
Chizik
has taken a perfect line into this season, as you said, he’s done and said all the right things so far. I like our chances under him 100% more now than I did when he was first hired. I expect him to have the team intense and ready to compete week in and week out. It seemed at times under Tubbs we came out completely overwhelmed and shocked in some games; I don’t expect that from Chizik. I think we’ll come out ready to hit someone in mouth before every game.
War Eagle
Kung Fu.....
you took the words right out of my mouth. Other than Monte Kiffen, and Eddie Gran I am not overly impressed by Kiffens staff. Oregeron is a very good recruiter but I will take Tracy Rocker over Big “O” any day. Luper is at the very least a good RB coach and is a better recruiter than Gran. Trooper Taylor is a very good position coach and great recruiter. Ditto for Thigpen. I just don’t see UT having the one uppers on us on staff and as far as the head coach I wouldn’t want Kiffin…..I’d rather have the sea-sick crococile.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I like the way Chizik is handling things...
I dont like either end of the spectrum, I dont like a coach that tells everyone his team is the second coming of Christ before they even take the field..and I dont like it when they down play everything so that you’d think it was their first trip on the field either. I think he (Chizik) is handling things correctly. Be positive about the team and where we are with building the program but don’t go overboard.
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