Things I learned today

Hey everyone. I had a chance to talk with Jay Jacobs and Gene Chizik away from the cameras for a bit after the press conference and gleaned some fairly useful information.

I'll just let it fly.

• So what about Chizik's staff?: The head coach revealed very little about his plans there. It's going to be him, Joe Whitt Sr., Phillip Lolley and Jimmy Perry on the recruiting trail starting this afternoon. Those three guys have high visibility among Alabama high school coaches and it's clear that Chizik wants to start exerting more influence inside Alabama.
  
  
• Cash money: Jacobs again said money will be no object when it comes to hiring assistants. He said that about the head coach, too, so I'd understand your caution. Still, I believe this will be a rich staff of assistants once it's all said and done.
  
  
• Pat Dye sighting: He was all over today, which is highly unusual. He was overheard telling someone: "This is the most welcome I've been here in 12 years." I thought that was interesting. He is very pro-Chizik. Why? "He's everything Jay said he was."
  
  
• 5-19?: Jacobs said Chizik essentially mortgaged the Cyclones' present to make them better in the future. The team played a lot of true freshmen this season. Jacobs said after confirming that plan with other ISU people, he basically considered Chizik's record irrelevant.
  
  
• Barkley's comments: Jacobs didn't want to talk about that. He reiterated his "best fit for Auburn" mantra and moved on to the next question.
  
  
• Tuberville staff changes: Someone (thoughtfully) asked Jacobs if Tuberville had been willing to fire people prior to his resignation. "Tommy, two weeks ago, he told me of certain changes he was going to make. And then...you know the story."
  
  
• Mo' money: Chizik apparently never asked Jacobs about money. I asked Gene about that and he gave me a stern look before insisting that he "doesn't coach for money." OK. I guess that means he's willing to donate much of his $2 million salary toward feeding the homeless.
  
  
• Lookin' out my back door: I was a little troubled (comically) by Jacobs' repeated references to eschewing "back door" negotiations with coaches. Auburn is proud of having handled this search above board, which is commendable, but is it that big of a deal?
  
  
• Q on the spot: Jacobs said Quentin Riggins, quite possibly the world's most likable sideline reporter, participated in all interviews. Participated in the decision? Jacobs didn't address that. Did Silvio Dante help make decisions? I remember Tony making the calls.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University