Former Players Send Chizik A Message
by Jay Coulter on Apr 22, 2010 1:00 AM CDT
in Football
6 comments
More than anything, last Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium was a statement about Gene Chizik. Forget the record crowd, the big time recruits visiting and the size of the helmet decals. What happened at halftime of A-Day said more about Chizik than the action on the field.
As was the case at many schools across the country, Auburn introduced its All-Decade Team during halftime festivities. To draw a fraction of the old players back to campus for such an event is no easy task. In Auburn's case, most all of them made the trip. The ones who didn't were in NFL Mini Camps.
Many of them were drawn back to campus because of Auburn. But judging from the reception the former players gave Chizik on the field, it had more to do with him and the buzz he's created across the South. Suddenly, everyone wants to be part of the program again and that includes athletes like Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Karlos Dansby.
Many of the men standing on the field Saturday, stood behind Chizik back in December 2008 when few others did. They knew something we didn't. Saturday was an opportunity to come back and bask in the glow of something that's getting bigger every day.
Chizik deserves the credit. Football is fun again.
Speaking of all-decade teams, you all have made your choices for the Track'em Tigers All-Decade Team. Nearly 6,500 votes were cast. The team looks decidedly like the 2004 Undefeated Season in many places. Without further ado, here's your Track'em Tigers All-Decade Team:
Offense
Quarterback - Jason Campbell
Running backs - Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown
Wide Receivers - Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu
Tight-end - Cooper Wallace
Offensive Tackles - Marcus McNeil, Kendall Simmons
Offensive Guards - Ben Grubbs, Tim Duckworth
Center - Ben Nowland
Defense
Defensive Ends - Quentin Groves, Antonio Coleman
Defensive Tackles - Sen‘Derrick Marks, Demarco McNeil
Linebackers - Karlos Dansby, Dontarrious Thomas, Travis Williams
Cornerbacks - Carlos Rogers, Jerraud Powers
Safeties - Junior Rosegreen, Will Herring
Special Teams
Kicker - Damon Duval
Punter - Kody Bliss
Return Specialist - Tim Carter
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Chizik has got the ball rolling on the plains in a huge way.
What is amazing to me, is that he hasn’t gotten MORE attention from this. The program took a complete 180 degree turn for the better the instant Gene Chizik was named the new head coach.
And the scrutiny he faced? Arguably the most of any major CFB hire in the last 5-10 years. No one expected this. How could they?
I hope the athletic department can keep this staff together for a few years. Can you imagine the success? If they can keep up the recruiting, we’ll be world beaters in due time. I think this staff is one people will look back on, and realize we were rich with coaching talent in that, we have guys like Malzahn and Trooper who could very well be HC’s within the next decade easily and probably less than 5 years.
Here’s to 2010 and a very bright future on the plains. The best part about it right now, is talking to Bammers who are denial that we are getting better and are on the way up. They have no idea what’s coming.
War Damn Eagle.
War Eagle
"Chizik deserves the credit. Football is fun again. " AMEN !
aubtigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
... and, what about the man who hired him?
I believe that every person — who has ever had the responsibility to select and hire the people who will fill the key operational positions in an organization — knew that when Coach Tuberville decided to leave the Auburn team in 2008, that Jay Jacobs’ career would be riding on who Jay Jacobs hired to be Auburn’s next head football coach.
There were many people in many quarters who wanted Jay Jacobs’ decision to hire Gene Chizik to be seen as the worst decision possible. And, if Coach Chizik and his family were collateral damage, so what?
In the end, it’s all about responsibility and accountability. Well, it appears that Jay Jacobs wants to be held to account … and, Jay Jacobs hired a football coach who wants to be held to account. All the Auburn people I know say that’s a pretty good place to start.
Hear, hear.
aubtigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
by aubtigerman on Apr 22, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Former players
Jay, it’s my understanding that even Karlos Dansby was there! True?
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