The Official Statement from Auburn

Gene Chizik, a former Auburn defensive coordinator and current
head coach at Iowa State, has been named the head football coach at
Auburn University, Athletics Director Jay Jacobs announced Saturday.

Chizik, who helped Auburn and Texas to consecutive undefeated seasons
in 2004 and 2005, will be formally introduced as Auburn’s 26th head
coach at a press conference Monday.

Chizik, a 23-year coaching veteran, was Auburn’s defensive
coordinator from 2002-04, where he helped guide the Tigers to a 13-0
season in 2004 while earning the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s
top assistant coach. He also served as the assistant head coach and
co-defensive coordinator at Texas from 2005-06 where he helped the
Longhorns to a perfect season and national championship in 2005.

“I’m extremely proud and excited to have Gene returning to Auburn
to take over as head football coach of this program,” Jacobs said.
“I know that we have found the right fit for Auburn. Gene’s body
of work during his 23 years in this profession is remarkable. He has a
strong knowledge of this athletics program, this university and the
community, and he knows how to be successful in the Southeastern
Conference. He is a high-energy coach that is an outstanding motivator
and demands a tough, physical style of football. I’m confident that
Gene can build upon the foundation that has been established and make
this a program that competes for championships on a consistent
basis.”

During his tenure at Auburn, Chizik’s 2004 defense led the nation in
scoring defense (11.3 ppg) and was fifth nationally in total defense,
allowing just 277.6 yards a contest. In three years at Auburn, Chizik
helped the Tigers to a 30-9 mark including an 18-6 Southeastern
Conference record. In 2003, Auburn’s defense was fifth nationally in
total defense.

In two seasons in Austin, the Longhorns were 22-3 with Chizik. At one
point, he was a part of 29 consecutive victories, which began in 2003 at
Auburn and ended in 2006 at Texas.

Chizik’s reputation as an outstanding teacher is evident by the fact
that he tutored a remarkable three consecutive Thorpe Award winners,
starting with Auburn’s Carlos Rogers in 2004, followed by Texas’
Michael Huff and Aaron Ross in 2005 and 2006.

“Through my travels in coaching over the last 23 years, there’s one
place that I’ve always wanted to return to and that is Auburn,”
Chizik said. “The tradition of the Auburn football program combined
with the passionate fans and their love for Auburn are second to none.
My family and I are Auburn through and through, and look forward to
being part of the Auburn family and community.”

“I am dedicated to working tirelessly to win championships,” Chizik
said. “We will not be outworked in any facet of the building process.
I’m excited to get on the recruiting trail, meeting with the current
players and reconnecting with past players. We want to develop young
men into champions not only on the playing field, but in the classroom
and in the community.”

During his two seasons at Iowa State, the 46-year old Chizik was in the
midst of a rebuilding process, directing the Cyclones to a 5-19 mark.
The Iowa State administration rewarded Chizik’s leadership and vision
for the program by offering him a two-year contract extension following
this season.

Chizik’s first win came against intrastate rival Iowa in 2007, making
him the first Cyclone coach since 1907 to beat the Hawkeyes in his
inaugural season. The 2007 season also included conference wins over
Kansas State and bowl-bound Colorado.

Prior to his arrival at Auburn, Chizik was the defensive coordinator
for four seasons (1998-01) at Central Florida, where he improved a unit
that was 81st nationally in total defense before his arrival to one that
was 16th in the country in 2001.

Chizik spent six seasons at Stephen F. Austin from 1992-97, overseeing
the linebackers (1992-94) and secondary (1995-97). While at Stephen F.
Austin, Chizik helped the Lumberjacks to back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA
playoffs, including a national semifinal appearance in 1995.

He began his coaching career as defensive coordinator (1986-88) at
Seminole High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., before becoming a graduate
assistant at Clemson for a pair of 10-win teams in 1988-89. Chizik’s
first full-time college coaching position came at Middle Tennessee
State, where he helped lead the Blue Raiders to NCAA Division I-AA
playoffs in both of his seasons (1990-91) and to a conference
championship in 1990.

Chizik earned his B.A. degree in education from Florida in 1985 and his
M.A. in guidance and counseling from Clemson in 1991. A Clearwater,
Fla., native, Chizik and his wife, Jonna, have identical twin daughters,
Landry Grace and Kennedy Danielle, and son, Cally.


WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT GENE CHIZIK
Carlos Rogers, Washington Redskins, Former Auburn All-American, 2004
Thorpe Award Winner
“This was the best decision Auburn could have made. Coach Chizik was
like a dad to me. From a player and student point of view he’s exactly
what Auburn needs in a head coach.”


Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Former Auburn All-American
Running Back
“Coach Chizik is a players’ coach. Even though he was on the
defensive side of the ball, he taught all of us the importance of hard
work. He’s the kind of coach recruits hope to get to play for, and I
think this is a great hire. I’m excited for Auburn.”


Dontarrious Thomas, Minnesota Vikings, Former Auburn linebacker
“Gene Chizik will make a great addition for Auburn. He knows the game
of football and knows how to motivate and relate to young athletes. He
knows how to motivate them to be successful not only on the field but in
the classroom and in the game of life. He will be a blessing for the
players and for Auburn University."