When it was announced that Gene Chizik was going to become Auburn’s next football coach, emotions, and reactions ran wild. There were feelings of discontent. Some people were upset that Jay Jacobs, Auburn’s athletic director, didn’t seem to exhaust the effort to really find a proven coach.

Aside from the idiocy of the person who video tapped himself at the Auburn airport booing Jacobs after his return from seeing Chizik, sentiment varied widely.  Charles Barkley said that Auburn missed an opportunity to make a “SPLASH”. His feelings were broadcast nationally on ESPN and as true to his form, he told the country exactly what he was thinking. No apologies. In my humble opinion he does not owe anyone an apology. I also feel that discretion would have been better served, by announcing his feelings to the administration at Auburn, rather than publicly.

Splash by definition is to spatter, but more commonly used, as Mr. Barkley chose, as a synonym for impression, or sensation.

The splash Sir Charles wanted to make was to hire Turner Gill from Buffalo to be the Head Coach at Auburn. His reasoning has nothing to do with football per say, but socio-cultural intentions. The color of his skin seems to matter as much as, or more so than win-loss.

Without stirring up the proverbial hornets nest, I would hope the color of a man’s skin has less to do with his value as a potential coach. I for one could care less if he is polka-dotted, as long as he loves my Auburn, and treats it with the utmost care and respect.

That’s right “MY” Auburn. Mine by choice, mine by giving my heart to Auburn standards, Auburn’s creed, and Auburn athletics.

Clearly the issue here is that not only was Jay Jacobs not wanting to make a mere splash, but build a wave, a wave that can and will consume the SEC under sheer force. The method was questioned. The results are yet to be fully realized. Never the less, I have my surfboard waxed, and I’m ready to ride.

Splash indeed.

As I write this Turner Gill has been named as the Head Coach at Kansas. His staff is nearly intact, and his chance is before him. I for one wish him the best of luck.

And National signing day is upon us.

WAR EAGLE!