Gene Chizik speaks, 1/29
THURSDAY NIGHT
Post No. 1,016
Hey everyone. Your Head Coach was in Montgomery this evening to discuss his defense with members of the Alabama Football Coaches Association.
Reporters were not permitted to hear that presentation, but Chizik spoke briefly with a few scribes afterward.
Here is what he had to say:
On his level of satisfaction with National Signing Day less than a week away: ``You get excited about it. You just keep working, keep your head down and keep digging. We' got in on the back end of some things and it's been challenging. We're about as good as we can be in a lot of instances. It'll get exciting."
On focusing so much effort on recruiting Texas kids: ``Right now, that's what we have done -- we have targeted relationships and target things in that way. We don't have areas. We don't have any of that. We don't even have a full staff yet. We go where we feel comfortable and where we know we can have some relationships."
On filling the team's two remaining coaching spots: ``We're going to wait until after signing day and attack that full speed. We're going to make sure we get the right guy. That's the main thing. It's not about a timeline."
On James Willis' recent decision to leave Auburn and head for Alabama: ``I don't really talk about guys who aren't here. I talk about guys who are."
On the salary information that was divulged earlier today: ``I don't like talking about contracts. No offense, but that's a personal thing for all the guys. I'm going to stay away from that."
On the significance of meeting with the state's high-school coaches: ``It's big. Most of them, I've already met at one point or another. It's all about re-kindling relationships. It's really neat walking through the door seeing a bunch of guys I knew. When you've been here three years, you get a chance to meet a lot of guys. We're going to make sure we continue to make that grow -- to make the relationships continue with our new guys."
On shooting for the moon with the recruits: ``We're at Auburn. I think that says it all. We're going after the best in the country -- no matter when, what, where, how. That's how we're going to do it. We're going to work really hard to try to get that done every year -- including this one."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
Post No. 1,016
Hey everyone. Your Head Coach was in Montgomery this evening to discuss his defense with members of the Alabama Football Coaches Association.Reporters were not permitted to hear that presentation, but Chizik spoke briefly with a few scribes afterward.
Here is what he had to say:
On his level of satisfaction with National Signing Day less than a week away: ``You get excited about it. You just keep working, keep your head down and keep digging. We' got in on the back end of some things and it's been challenging. We're about as good as we can be in a lot of instances. It'll get exciting."
On focusing so much effort on recruiting Texas kids: ``Right now, that's what we have done -- we have targeted relationships and target things in that way. We don't have areas. We don't have any of that. We don't even have a full staff yet. We go where we feel comfortable and where we know we can have some relationships."
On filling the team's two remaining coaching spots: ``We're going to wait until after signing day and attack that full speed. We're going to make sure we get the right guy. That's the main thing. It's not about a timeline."
On James Willis' recent decision to leave Auburn and head for Alabama: ``I don't really talk about guys who aren't here. I talk about guys who are."
On the salary information that was divulged earlier today: ``I don't like talking about contracts. No offense, but that's a personal thing for all the guys. I'm going to stay away from that."
On the significance of meeting with the state's high-school coaches: ``It's big. Most of them, I've already met at one point or another. It's all about re-kindling relationships. It's really neat walking through the door seeing a bunch of guys I knew. When you've been here three years, you get a chance to meet a lot of guys. We're going to make sure we continue to make that grow -- to make the relationships continue with our new guys."
On shooting for the moon with the recruits: ``We're at Auburn. I think that says it all. We're going after the best in the country -- no matter when, what, where, how. That's how we're going to do it. We're going to work really hard to try to get that done every year -- including this one."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
8:43 PM
140 Comments:
no way
dos
I like what he had to say. A lot.
I am still for the Lady Tigers to be the champs!
yes way. two.
I see that Chizzle has taken a crash course in question avoiding. It was bound to happen.
I agree though. We are Auburn. Go after everybody and give them a chance to say "yes."
To the AU women ... don't sweat it. You can't win every game. War Eagle.
or five.
except now I'm six.
My favorite: "We're at Auburn. I think that says it all. We're going after the best in the country -- no matter when, what, where, how."
That's what I'm talking about!!!
I have consulted with my Zen Master, and after a period of great meditation, it has been decided that David Oku will learn how to say War Eagle.
If you aim at nothing you will hit it everytime.
Let's shoot for the moon!!!
We haven't done that in years.
In public service and government, everyone knows what you make. Why does everyone get embarrassed when people know what they make...do they not think they are worth it?
I love that we are aiming for success
WEG: I agree with you completely. Chizik may not want to talk about that, but those numbers will come out and they will be discussed.
He can't control that.
I like the recruiting plan - go after the best! Don't limit yourself!
That was awesome, I love his attitude about AU! He is so right on too. It's been too many years of your own staff- ahem- automatically thinking we can't get certain recruits. CGC fires me up again!
Plus he looks like he can give you a serious beatdown- who wouldn't want to play for a coach like that?
Fans really do love swagger. They don't give a rip about or even recognize fundamentals or X's and O's, but love that bravado.
It's all about the sound byte.
And then when things go wrong...blame the Qb, playcalling and then....the coach.
Hoopie,
Can I dare to love it all?
I never understood the thought process of not aiming for the best... I like his attitude. He will undoubtedly get shot down many times over. But, with his attitude, he will undoubtedly land a few of those as well. I like it.
Did Dewanna Bonner have a Tebow Moment after the game tonight? I sure hope she decides to put this team on her back and push these Ladies to the ultimate prize.
2006--#9 reruiting class. 2007--#6 reruiting class. Those recruits have not embarassed AU. Shooting wildly at "stars" that you aren't closely familiar with.....could win you the Fulmer Cup.
Slamming the departed coaching staff to feel good about what is going on now......is really lame and doesn't represent AU very well.
If you are really want to have fun....stop slamming the departed coaches.
Hoopie, if the talent was there, what happened to the wins?
I think people are looking forward and like the things the new staff is doing differently..... I don't think it's a secret the previous coaching staff had a few issues.
hoopie....did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
We need tall, fast WRs and OL.
I'm wondering why all the folks that constantly slammed the previous coching staff are giving this staff a pass for doing worse. Why the double standard?
I'm not slamming this staff, they are making the best of the situation.
Our success next season will rest on the ability to coach up the existing Wrs and Qbs.
WHOOOOOOO! The Magic beat the Cavs.
Outside of that, three Magic players made it to the All-Star team.
I retro-posted a thread about the women's game ... if that interests you.
CTT made one terrible mistake selectng the OC. That's what cost the wins. The talent is there. The WRs however, do have serious fundamentals deficiencies.
And my girlfriend painted my toe nails purple. I LOVE PRINCE AND AUBURN! WDE!
The most slammed coach last year was Franklin, and he had no chance to succeed, which was no fault of his own.
Chiz is creating some fizz for the fans - time will tell whether it's real.
Hoopie ...
I think you answered your question ... they ARE making the best of the situation, and may well make it even better over the next 5 days ... we'll have to see.
Surely you agree that a first-year staff is going to let more leeway than a 10-year staff ... a staff that in some eyes was trending downward (a contention I clearly understand to which you do not subscribe).
The only mistake Tubs made was loyalty. Not something I could ever hold against the man either. 5-7 record or not, that's not something you see enough in this day.
If i could ask Chiz one question, outta the gate it's gotta be "how much you pushin on the bench-press, coach ?"
When you make change, you commit to it, or you don't do it.
Tubs got stuck in the middle ... he brought in a change agent, who was rough around the edges, but he clearly didn't count the cost of keeping the rest of the staff the same with the change agent as OC.
It cost him wins, and it cost him his job. He either needed to clean house to allow Franklin full control and a support team to help him. Or he needed someone that would fit in with the BBQ bunch.
Hoopie,
the reason we need big fast WRs and OL is because Tubs and crew only went after people that fell into their lap. I am a tubs fan, but he failed miserably at his job the last year that he was employed.
Jet, dead on.
That loyalty thing is great when money isn't involved. It was. Me thinks it was stupidity , not loyalty. I certainly don't work to make sure all my buddies bills are paid. He is where he is due to his inability to make changes where they needed changed. He got lazy, hired franklin, yall know the rest.
WAR DAMN CHIZIK!!
I'm Pro-Chizzle fo' shizzle!
Hehateme ... I've had this running debate with Steve, who's laid it all on Franklin, who clearly must be a whack job.
But I think that misses the deeper pont.
Everyone calls Tubs the CEO coach. I agree ... CEOs get held responsible for this. And like CEOs, he got a nice severance package.
That's not hating or slamming, it's just truth. Tubs will be fine. Coaching or not.
hoopie, I come in peace but those 06 and 07 classes look much less impressive under closer examination. Bryant Miller, Bo Harris, Raven Gray, Lee Tilley, Alex Rose, Chris Slaughter, Greg Smith, Jermaine Johnson, Ryan Williams, Enrique Davis, Johnnie Dixon and Tim Lamb are some of those signees who either never made it in or are no longer at AU. I realize every program loses players, but the attrition rate of top-rated players at Auburn has been awful. Combine that with the last two years of being basically wiped out in top 10-12 players in-state and you see the reason for a somewhat talent-short roster. These new coaches may or may not do a better job of recruiting, but they have definitely created a little excitement in AU football again. I know in the end that is what we all want to see.
nice Chizzle recap JGT. you are the consummate pro. it has been a busy AU news day after all.
Why is Izauea Lanier listed as a soft verbal?
Jet, doesn't matter who gets the blame, your 'change agent' analogy is what occurred.
I'll never know the entire story, so placing blame doesn't matter, although the guy in charge is the HC, so he is responsible in the end.
War Eagle and goodnight all!
Kathy... he's supposedly visiting MSU this weekend along with Heavens and Harris Gaston
That's what I thought Miller. I thought he was recruiting last weekend for Auburn. Maybe he'll be doing the same at Miss State. Also, will Heavens qualify?
The Franklinstein monster was no doubt brought to life by professor tubs. In the end the monster got his hands around the professors throat after all. Not before Franklinstein could throw the entire AU family in the pond, though. It falls squarely on Franklin for the pitiful offense, but it falls on professor tubs for creating that half wit franklinstein monster.
If the BBQ guys (the ones that were shown loyalty) never bought into Franklin's system, the HC had to answer for the guys that bucked change. (There's no doubt scheme's and coaching styles had to change for a new system.)
After DVR'rin VH1Classic today I found out something that was devine:
Richarl Manuel was the voice I thought was Rick Danko on my favorite The Band's songs.
And th Drive By Truckers have a song called "Danko/Manuel" which lead me to a 56 min video of their music.
Good day.
I, for one, am tired of looking in a cracked rear view mirror.
My focus is on the future ... namely going to bed.
Goodnight Hottites.
Love danko but I was and still am more of a levon helm/robbie robertson kind of guy myself.
Btw, the truckers can knock you on your ass. They are sick.
Jet is correct in his analysis of the Tubbs matter. Not hatin' on him but he is perceived to have not kept up.
Depressed is money with that remark. I liked the top 10 ranked class but if they can't get in or are no longer there, what does it matter. You can sign 25 Rollinsons, but if he doesn't get in school, does it matter you had a top 5 class.
That mirror was not cracked, it was smashed!
Chiz and crew are making the most of everything - signing day will be good for AU!
Drive by truckers=RocknFreakinRoll
All the albums are awesome, jason isbells solo albums is killer too.They have a great dvd out as well.
If you guys haven't checked out Papa Mali, it's quite worth it. Sick louisiana slide guitar.
Levon helms newest album "dirt farmer" is freakin amazing if ya love the roots of southern folk music. Very, very good album.
Aubrey Phillips may be falling away from TN.....Hope it is true!
Jenna Fischer on Leno tonight.
Yay.
And so now my journey takes me on the road of hop/barley and everything Danko/Manuel/Helm/Dylan/Hendrix....
Dude.
I'll return a different "threw the bums a dime/in your prime/" person.
Live music is where its at. If it can't be played with instruments I'm out.
and who is Jenna Fisher?
jay:
On the thread about the commitment, I was looking at the offer boxes and Alabama was and is not checked for Daren Bates. You are right though, the article does say they offered him.
My bad.
Jimbo Fisher has to be chomping at the bit for B Bowden to retire. They're falling further behind Florida and going into signing day with a head coach holding a one year contract.
BTW in Paris on the way home. That's why the awful posting time.
Good morning Hotties!
and WARRRRRRRRRR EAGLE!!!!
War Chizzle!
War Eguae!
War Against Satan!
Unforunately, I'm not on my way home from Paris, home of the 15 foot diameter 1690s Coronelli terrestrial and celestial globes
Arky's last recruiting weekend may be a bust. Did y'all see those horrific ice storm photos from Fayetteville? It may be headed here early next week.
headline a few days ago... Bryce Brown waiting to see what certain OL prospects do. I think that would pretty much eliminate AU, assuming he was ever seriously considering AU.
Omnica- give me something from the Bryce agent to restore my hope ;-)
morning
Dear Leader, I see you are already dressed and ready for work. Good morning to you also.
Good Morning, Hotties! TGIF and War Damn Chizik! He has definitely brought a new, exciting and fresh approach to AU recruiting that had gotten stale under the prior staff.
Hi Luv- thought you had overslept! You're the earliest rising of the Hotties. Have a great day.
Good morning Hottites.
War Eagle.
War Chizzle.
Hi, TarHeel! Nah, I'm always here at 5 a.m.! You have a great day too!
Morning Hotties. I hope for a good day for AU news, some lively exchanges here, and just an all around positive day for everyone. Boy, that even sounds like crap when I read it. Anyway, today I will try to step away from the crack pipe of HABOTN and do more of my job. GaTiger don't wanna be no statistic no sir.
Any bets on how long gatiger can stay away? ;-)
Good Morning all.
Please don't think of me as negative toward's the women's BB team when I vent, but loosing to Georgia??????????????????? Good lord, can we not beat them in anything. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE HAVE BEATEN THEM IN JUST ABOUT ANY SPORT OTHER THAN SWIMMING (Georgia's Womens Swimming team currently #1). I live in this state and I cannot stand that we cannot beat them in anything.
Sorry, I just had to vent.
Good morning, Eddie. I was upset last night too. I was yelling at the t.v. But, after reading scottie b's comment this morning, I must agree. They were DEFINITELY hungover after the win against the Lady Vols. They'll bounce right back. Nell will make sure of that.
I agree luv. My vent is not at the AU women's BB team, it is a general frustraction with Auburn not being able to beat Georgia in any sports.
I'd like to see Chizik and Saban in a bare knuckle brawl.
They still get another shot at them, Eddie. I'm going to try to make it to that game too. Maybe we'll have a packed house again!
LOL That wouldn't last long, ehyou.
Good Morning Hotties! I saw a little bit of the women's game and I will also agree it was a hangover loss. Those stats look like it was the men. We missed every 3-pointer we tried and they hit all theirs while I was watching. They'll be fine. Unlike football, they will still get to prove themselves in the tourney.
Hey GaTiger ...
(in my best voice from "The Warriors")
Come out and plaaa-aaayyy!
Luv, Kristina, Eduardo ... good morning to all. Know that good days are ahead.
TarHeel, I want to tell you that you are a bad influence in my life ... I had a bowl of vanilla with chocolate syrup last night. Now stop it!
Jet, good days are ahead for the football program. Until then, we have the Lady Tigers!
Nothing wrong with a little ice cream now and then!
morning hottie nation! speaking of the wonderful Jenna Fischer, 'The Office' was friggin' hilarious last nite. i don't usually watch it but that was 30 minutes of quality television.
Good moring to my orange clad friends...
Happy Friday...
Sing Along
Apparently Nick Fairley's enrollment to Auburn postponed. He hasn't completed all his academic reqmts according to Rivals. Monica will have to fills us in.
Josh Moon,
I Tivo'd The Principal's Office last night. I think the youtube clips made it look better than it actually was.
FSJ, that's a good way to start a friday morning. a little Wet Willie. nice.
youtube blocked at work. Sing it for me, scottie b!
Good morning hotties :-)
Kathy - Looks like Fairley missed a deadline. From AuburnSports.com
"I took a correspondence course, but didn't meet the deadline so I couldn't start school (in the spring)," said Fairley. "I've done the class now. I just didn't meet the deadline so I'll have to wait a semester before starting Auburn."
He'll miss spring practice and start in the summer.
Chizik and Saban spoke briefly last night.
I mean briefly.
They didn't stop walking. Each guy said "good to see you" and was on his way.
Thanks Monica.
Monica, so no worries, right?
Mobilz, what do you think about Chiz'z 'brief' encounter with Satan?
I would've LOVED to have seen the brief exchange between Chiz and SaBear.
Sounds like there is no love lost between the two... just the way it should be!
Hey SaBear... I'm crushing your head (kids in the hall style)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YInxjaHQiY
I love his confidence - straight speak - No wishy washy crapola. Hopefully his staff follows suit - recruits can respect that.
He answers football questions - and doesn't veer off into things he can't control, And amazingly he sounds like he does it in a respectful way. Go man Go!
Heard a rumor that Durst was now back on the team...didn't mention the scholly. Any info...Mon?
I wish Chizik would've clothes-lined Saban as they passed....on second thought, he might've hurt his back stooping that low.
Sorry, it's Wes not MaryBeth. Hate it when the wife logs in on my notebook.
A body slam and 'War Eagle!' would have made a lasting impression.
Bad news on Fairley. That will put him behind for fall camp, and we really need some help on the line. I still can't understand how these things manage to occur with so many people(I assume) checking on eligibility.
Saban and Chizik should have had a lightsaber duel.
Jet,
The Warriors thing only works if you're dangling 5 miller lite ponies from your fingers and are clanking them together. Wait...I forgot...you're a state employee...so you could be doing that at 8 in the morning right before your daily nap.
Mr. Jay G. Tate, calm me down if I need it, but every time Chizik addresses the media, the intensity he conveys makes me want to quit my job, go back to school, and try to walk on and be a tackling dummy. Emphasis on dummy. I am getting more and more pumped about the changes he is making.
Tubs was a great coach, but once he lost that intensity, it was over. I love the guy, but the truth is the truth.
Good morning - here's what I've woke up to:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5862411411778511264
And Paris in January, vury nice. I had a chance to spend two days ten years ago - easily the highlight of my European trip. We actually got awsome weather in late fasll.
Aubrey Phillips IS a teamate of the recent S commit.
Who was it said AU didn't have an OL prospect in waiting?
hehateme,
CGC was just sizing him up and in his mind he was saying "i'm gonna be all up in your grille come November buddy" and "It's on like Donkey Kong now"
In the words of Lawrence Taylor when he was sacking the Tampa Bay QB "You'll gotta do something better than this"
WDE!!!
Jet- I did too. Yummy. Let's do it again tonight during Monk!
Hey HOTTIES, not sure about the rest of you but I think the last two commits are signs we aren't getting the guys we all wanted to sign. Jay, chastise me if I'm wrong but I think the coaches know who's coming and these new commits don't really assure me that we're landing any big fish on Wednesday.
Not to be a complete downer I still think we can win 7 or 8 next year. WDE!
The SeanZ,
How is that a sign that we are not getting who we think we are gonna get?.... some of the guys are sign n place 2-3.... so why wouldn't we have space for a few more guys...like 5 or 6?
AUn, thank you for correcting me, I always forget the rules regarding the sign n placers.
I know nothing about recruiting, so you may be right, SeanZ. What I DO know is that we have to be better next season because there's no way we can be worse!
MaryBeth...
Finebaum had a caller yesterday that said the same thing. He said his son was on the team too. He was not a happy camper about Durst's supposed return to the team.
Luv - No worries is right!
Wes - I saw someone say Durst was practicing with the team, but it was just some poster on Rivals.
I thought this quote from Terrance Coleman was amusing. This from Bryan Matthews on AuburnSports.com "I think my game will get better playing for Coach Rocker," Coleman said. "I thought I had everything down pat but a guy like that, won the SEC and was Player of the Year, he might have some new things for me."
He MIGHT have some new things for me. *chuckle*
No question AUinMobilz...many of these guys won't make it to school this year leaving a few open. Eltoro, Fairley, and Mccalleb count on last years total. So there is plenty of room
Hey Mon.
Good Morning! Question: the university plane went to New Jersey last night.... any thoughts?
The poster also heard the Durst comment on the PF show, which questions the credibility!
Funny comment from Coleman Monica. Wonder if Rocker will get the chance to "show" him a thing or two. I would imagine his uncle could also.
Hotties,
Now plan en route back from Raleigh-Durham back to AU.... any thoughts anybody?
Mobilz, I'm not sure those trips were for recruiting.
Maybe they are transporting illegal drugs?
Actually there is not plenty of room. At the end of the day with 3 commits counting with last years class and a few sign and place kids, we can still only have 85 Scholarships.
lol Mobile, I have no clue. If Michael is right I think it's a great fund raising idea.
Anybody know when AU's Junior Day (for 2010 recruiting) is?
Mobilz - Mrs THT is getting on a plane at RDU. Unfortunately, it is to N'awlins and not AU.
but i think we have some room with the 85 schollys thing. Jay did a run down a while back and we had 10 extra scholarships last year. And with the seniors gone and marks powers and blackmon leaving early i think we should be good.
and keep in mind i'm pretty sure fairley no longer counts towards last year's class now that he won't enroll early.
Fairley may have to count on this year now, but you can't tell me there won't be room if we land some of these bigger names. there will be room.
oh i agree, there is room for about 5 more commitments. Hell Nick Saban cuts people. We can make room if we happen to get a big name come aboard.
Can you imagine what Saban would do if he got to a team and found out that the long snapper was going to have a scholarship for the next fours years?
Aubie: I think last night's eps made the show look worse than it is. Had I watched those two first, I wouldn't be watching now. Two of the worst I've ever seen.
The two on last week included a dude who had, for some unknown reason, used a variety of markers to draw a beard and goggles on his face and a big, backwards "L" on his forehead. There was also a scene where a principal took a ballcap from this kid and the kid broke into his office later to steal it back. Caught him on security video in the act. Showed it to the kid. His response: "I'm a little concerned that my items are just laying around in here for anyone to come in and take."
There have been three, maybe four, shows that did nothing for me. Two of them came last night.
If the right guys say yes there is plenty of room. Nebraska has had to rescend some guys scholly offer that was committed last april and stopped looking, now he doesn't have his scholly from Nebraska or anywhere else for that matter. His HS coach sounded pretty peeved. And what's this jazz about the bastrop coach being upset about AU not coming to talk to him first about recruiting his players ,sounds like the albert means thing all over again to me, only in louisiana, what a maroon.
Oh yea I have no doubt we will have room for the right commits regardless of how the number look. I bet if we even signed 31 (which I think we will) on Wednesday and a month later Byrce Brown decided to commit to us, we'd find room for him.
Josh moon, you look like my favorite sax player, ben ellman.
Josh where is Salsarita's? I never hear you guys say the address when I'm in Montgomery on Fridays.
BigCat, Salsarita's is on Vaughn Rd. in a little strip mall which is bascailly in the parking lot of the Rave Theatre and Buffalo Wild Wings.
HA! Ben Ellman. Love Galactic.
Thanks Kristina! I'm trying to get by there one of these Fridays
BigCat, make sure you introduce yourself to Doug and Josh as a hottie before you order and see if you can score a free lunch ;-)
St. Louis Rams: Former Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom has been hired as running backs coach.
Kathy,
thats good for Sly. I'm happy for him!
i still think bama made a mistake by not hiring croom back in the day. worked out well for us, though.
scott, I agree. He would have been a much better choice than Shoo-lah.
Good luck to Croom, one of the more honorable coaches around. He just seems like a college coach to me. As does CTT.
depressed, that's what I thought, but, have you seen his resume? I Wiki'ed him and has coached for several NFL teams.
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