The news broke this afternoon — Gene Chizik has interviewed for the vacant head coaching position at Auburn. He has a connection to the school, after serving as Defensive Coordinator for the War Eagles from 2002-2004.
What do you think?
Here’s my take — ISU AD Jamie Pollard says he believes Chizik is a serious candidate for the job. I don’t. Chizik can’t be an attractive target with 5 wins in the past two years. The Tigers dumped Tommy Tuberville, and he had 5 wins THIS season!
I think this is a smoke screen for Auburn. Two-plus years ago, a story floated that Jamie Pollard had spoken with Brian Kelly from Central Michigan. It was the only name that bubbled to the top — and a few hours later, Pollard sent out an e-mail that he’d hired his coach. It wasn’t Kelly. This seems like the same scenario.
I don’t know how Auburn sells Chizik to it’s fans. I’m more interested in how Chizik is received when the dust settles.
Post what you think here — we’ll run some of your thoughts this weekend.
-Garman
After a lot of thinking, I’d say no because he sure does like to jump around a lot. He’s been on 3 different teams in the last 6 years. He has nothing on his resume to say he can put Auburn back at the top where they have been in the past.
I don’t think it matters either way. This effectively ends his run at I-State. How can he recruit with this hanging over his head? What does it say about his interest in being here? He should be trying to hire new coordinators and instead he’s trying to jump ship.
I think this proves that Pollard made a hughe mistake with the hire of Chizik. What I find even more disturbing is the statements he made last month about his committment to the Cyclones and Ames. It’s time to move on, Chizik has said enough with his record and actions.
Does anyone have Coach Mac’s phone number?
He is HISTORY! I am beyond annoyed to say the least. I don’t understand why someone can’t stick with a program and make a name for themselves. Instead of pissing everyone off by trying to land a job that IS NOT GOING TO BE YOURS try this instead:
Show loyalty to the school that gave you your chance to become a head coach.
Build a name for yourself and create a legacy! Stay with this team for 7-10 years and watch it grow and make the AP Top 25 and years later crack the BCS Top 10! Watch it grow in front of your eyes and feel a sense of accomplishment that you helped create this. Leave, if you must, after H E L P I N G I-STATE! This is an abosolute joke :-0
He is going to be shooting himself in the foot big time after hes out of a job. He won’t get Auburn and when he comes back to us it will be very easy to get rid of him. Then with no job he will go back to a coordinator somewhere else. Smooth mooves buddy!
And you called Phillip Bates a quitter – what do you call yourself?
So long Gene Chizik, thats all I can say about it. How can you expect to be good after two years, did you expect to come in and make them national champions. How can you get hired at Auburn when you have five wins in two seasons. What makes you think ISU wants you back after interviewing somewhere else. As far as I am concerned get out of Iowa NOW. Call Danny Mac back
I think it says that Jamie Pollard made the right hire if another school like Auburn comes calling.However, i just hope that Chizik doesn’t turn out to be another Petrino or Saban.
As a long time season ticket holder, this is BS. ISU fans are more patient than most. I’ve been a Chizik supporter up to now. However, when the coach isn’t committed as Chizik has shown, it’s time for him to hit the road, sooner than later.
If Chizik is such a HOT prospect, why didn’t Texas offer him the package they just gave to their present D Cord. In that respect I thought the DUDE was suppose to be locating an O Cord and D Cord for ISU not on a job hunt for himself. Let him go we can not be any worse off ISU athletics are really down maybe we need to look at replacing Pollard too, all he does is spend money we need WINS!!
Let him go, it’s just proof that he’s NOT a GOOD coach! A GOOD coach will find a way to win, and NOT run so fast!!!
Get someone in there that WANTS to be there, let him go so our boys can grow!!!!!
Can you blame him. The big 12 north is horrible and it cannot compete with the south. I find it hard to believe with all of the great athletes out there that neither state school can get better recruits. Of course it comes down to winning and money. The more you win the more money you get. Look at Iowa. Everything positive Iowa does Ferentz gets more money. Can’t blame him thou it is the Universitys around the nation doing this. Would you want to be at Iowa State(cold in the winter) or in Alabama(warm). It doesn’t take a phd to figure it out. Plus big mac got lucky, otherwise you just can’t win at Iowa State.
I am so disappointed in this guy. Here is someone that said there would be no stars on the team, engaged little with the fans and put himself higher then others, went after Bass for quiting and ended up doing the same thing. What a waste of money. I loved McCarney but supported the decision for change. The bad thing is that I am sure Dan could have produced these same results the past 2 years but he was a man the BLED ISU!!! Chizek BLED CHIZEK> How about a 2 for 1 deal and send Pollard with him.
I am certain my comments will not be well-received, if posted at all, but here they are – in two parts:
1) The Decision: in the sports world, money talks. Whether owner, coach or player, “it’s about me!” Based on coverage on this story, Coach Chizik sold a great many people (players, parents and the general public) a huge bill of goods. Disappointment seems to be the dominant response. Certainly, if one looks at the process objectively, one cannot be surprised.
2) The Response: having lived in Iowa for six years (after 50+ years in Minnesota), I am amazed at the significance of collegiate sports in Iowa. It seems to be – as much as anything – a religion, with coaches seemingly the occupants of the pulpits.
I submit collegiate athletics need to be put in perspective. Folks, it’s a game. If the good people of Iowa were to look at things more objectively, they would realize their (our) universities should be repackaged to their original states: institutions of academia. While athletics should have a place as a diversion for students – a safety valve, if you will – emphasis belongs on study and growth.
Perhaps a revisiting of college life could follow the 3 As – Academics, Arts and Athletics – in that order, with absolute emphasis on academics.
Of course, a common response to this position (from fanatics) will be “How many people will pay to watch someone read a book or paint a picture?” Of course, one must accept this type of comment for what it is – short-sightedness and extremism. It should NEVER be about money. It SHOULD be about personal and professional development.
And, please, don’t throw out the “Athletics Builds Character!” How one can support this is all but laughable, as one cannot reasonably expect character-building when a coach yells, screams, hollers and generally abuses their players. Such are not the things of character; rather, they are the things of abuse. If one need scream at a player, the screamer demonstrates stunted ability to send a compelling message.
Coach Chizik has declared himself to be disloyal to ISU, as well as to the players, parents and fans. How about we all take a deep breath, and move on.
It’s only a game!