Two years after a BCS title, could Auburn’s Chizik get fired?
Brian VanGorder (right) watches his career path take a discernible downturn. (AP photo)
Even as Auburn was en route to the BCS title, there was something unreal about the journey. Not that the 2010 Tigers weren’t the nation’s best team. But you wondered how they got that way.
This is a reference to Cam Newton, but not in the way you’d think. Nearly two years after it was reported that Newton’s dad had sought $180,000 to send his son to Mississippi State, we await the first bit of evidence that Auburn paid, or even offered, anything beyond a scholarship. The NCAA investigated at length and found nothing untoward. So far as can be discerned, Auburn won with Newton fair and square. That said …
Newton blew across the Plains in the time it takes to change, er, planes at Hartsfield-Jackson. (OK, slight exaggeration. But only slight.) He arrived from Blinn Junior College in January 2010, took his team to 14-0 the next January and, Heisman Trophy in tow, was gone. He was an Auburn student-athlete for roughly a year.
Auburn began its championship run ranked 22nd in the Associated Press preseason poll — one spot ahead of Georgia, six spots behind Georgia Tech. The Tigers were 8-5 in the season before Newton, 8-5 in the season after Newton. Today they’re 1-4, the victory coming in overtime against Louisiana-Monroe. They just lost 24-7 at home to an Arkansas team that was outscored by 100 points in its two previous SEC games. Which brings us to the other part of the disconnect.
The 2010 national championship was won by Gene Chizik’s team. Is Gene Chizik a national championship coach?
Counting two seasons at Iowa State, his career record is 36-33. His record without Cam Newton is 22-33. His record before Cam Newton was 13-24. His record since Cam Newton is 9-9.
A BCS title should buy a coach a long honeymoon, but let’s remember that Chizik works at Auburn. Where Terry Bowden resigned under pressure 11 months after he’d led the Tigers to the SEC championship game. Where school officials were moved to take a clandestine flight to Sellersburg, Ind., to woo Bobby Petrino, then of Louisville, to fill the head-coaching position occupied by Tommy Tuberville. Where Tuberville himself was gone four years after an undefeated season.
Things happen faster in the win-or-else SEC, and Auburn occupies the epicenter of Football Gone Wild. The Georgia-Georgia Tech relationship has been described as clean, old-fashioned hate. There’s nothing clean or old-fashioned about the feelings Auburn and Alabama have toward one another. Theirs is the dirtiest form of loathing, updated daily.
Alabama again reigns over college football. It has won two of the past three BCS titles and is in Position A to claim yet another. For one year, Newton and Chizik and Auburn usurped Nick Saban’s throne, but that year seems now — heck, it seemed so even then — as the one-off to end all one-offs.
So today we ask: Could the coach who claimed a national championship in January 2011 get fired before 2012 is done? Anywhere else, you’d say no. Auburn, however, is not anywhere else, and this is among the worst Auburn teams ever. It ranks 113th among 120 FBS teams in total offense, 117th in scoring, 110th in passing efficiency, 75th in total defense and dead last in turnover margin. This with a new offensive coordinator (the overmatched Scott Loeffler) and a new defensive coordinator (Brian VanGorder, of whom you’ve heard).
According to Rivals.com, Auburn’s signing classes from 2010 through 2012 ranked fourth, seventh and 10th nationally. Continuity, alas, has gone missing. Nick Fairley, who won the 2010 Lombardi Trophy, arrived as a JUCO transfer and left for the NFL after two seasons. Running back Michael Dyer was the offensive MVP of the BCS title game and was kicked off the squad 361 days later. Auburn has begun each of Chizik’s four seasons with a different quarterback; the latest, sophomore Kiehl Frazier, has thrown eight interceptions against two touchdown passes.
The Tigers’ next two games are at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. (They’re a six-point underdog against the Rebels.) If Auburn loses both, it could well finish 0-8 in SEC play — two years after going 8-0. The SEC has seen all manner of strangeness, but such a plunge would have no precedent. Then again, Auburn’s rise to No. 1 didn’t have many antecedents, either. Yes, Herschel Walker lifted Georgia from 6-5 to an unbeaten national championship in his first collegiate season, but he stuck around a couple of more years and the Bulldogs stayed really good. And nobody wondered if Vince Dooley, who’d won three SEC titles before Herschel, could actually coach.
The former Auburn coach Pat Dye, who seldom makes a lick of sense, recently claimed he wouldn’t trade Chizik “for 10 Sabans.” If Chizik keeps losing, Auburn might soon swap him for one Bobby Petrino.
By Mark Bradley
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403 comments Add your comment
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
“He will end up at an SEC school (Auburn, Tenn, KY, etc) and coaching next fall. Watch.”
You have absolutely nothing to back that up with.
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
6:13 pm
“Why do people keep bringing up Bobby Petrino?”
Same reason they said Auburn would get probation. They’re stupid people.
BamaNation
October 10th, 2012
6:14 pm
Horribly biased, terribly written. Think you need to stop drinking the koolaid and find some credible sources.
rollin' in the deep
October 10th, 2012
6:14 pm
hey Pitbull, just be quiet…ok
rollin' in the deep
October 10th, 2012
6:16 pm
The reason for this article was to get people off of the fire Richt campaign…no one really cares about Auburn…
DeepDarkTruth
October 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
@Pitbull
“Other schools would love to have him. The spoiled children fans of UGA need to get behind Coach Richt or find another school to be a “fan” of.”
Prove it. Fire this staff and every one of them will be unemployed. Nobody wants those rejects. That’s why they’re in Athens.
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
“The former Auburn coach Pat Dye, who seldom makes a lick of sense”
Blame UGA for that since he graduated from that school.
BamaDan
October 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
Karma truly is a bitch. The barn bought and paid for that 2010 NC, and now they are paying the piper. Why has God forsaken Gene? 2010 was a “God Thing,” right? I really hope they keep Gene, he’s such a fine christian man…cough, cough. He just needs more time.
Roll Tide
Whiskey Breath
October 10th, 2012
6:29 pm
Brad, you do realize Chizik has some unheard of buyout?
Shouldn’t you be explaining why GA backfired on your prediction?
Remember, you did the homer thing before the season.
I know you guys don’t eat crow, but how the hell are we supposed
to respect your opinion?
are you kidding me......
October 10th, 2012
6:33 pm
I was embarrassed for Auburn when Cam Newton was runnin all over the field and the announcers were talking about his past…how do you teach your children morals and values and then cheer on someone like Cam???…what goes around, comes around, Chizik!
Chizik Watch | Track 'Em Tigers
October 10th, 2012
6:35 pm
[...] Two Years After a BCS Title, Could Auburn’s Chizik Get Fired? [...]
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
6:36 pm
“The barn bought and paid for that 2010 NC, and now they are paying the piper.”
The stooopid, it burns!!!!
“I was embarrassed for Auburn when Cam Newton was runnin all over the field ”
Yeah, that national championship was such an embarrassment.
Petrino and Auburn!
October 10th, 2012
6:36 pm
I hope they hire him. Can you imagine mom’s and dad’s sending their little girls to au? I think you would see a huge increase in enrollment from Pink Pony want to be’s…
BamaDan
October 10th, 2012
6:42 pm
Truth hurts, HUH????? Why is the barn perpetually young? What happened to all those wonderful top ten classes signed by Gene? He’s been there four years…why the drop off? Trooper’s out there spending money like crazy…see Rueben Foster, but he’s bringing in thugs who either can’t get in school, flunk out, or end up in jail. You didn’t need to be hit by the NCAA, you have put yourselves on probation, and I’m laughing all the way to November. Going to be an epic beatdown in Bryant-Denny. Please keep Gene!
Cockfan
October 10th, 2012
6:42 pm
How Uga recruits feel about the thrashing sat night in Columbia. Should be the next article!
rollin' in the deep
October 10th, 2012
6:49 pm
Not a fan of either program, but I can see Bama putting 60+ on the barn this season…at least I hope they do…
TideTrucker
October 10th, 2012
6:54 pm
Hey all you barners, please oh please keep Chizik. And remember to tell all of us how you are better than everyone just because you are Auburn. Not because of accomplishments on the field or in the classroom, but just because you are Auburn. And by the way how many of you were “all in” in the 4th qtr against Ark when the mass exodus had began and Jordan Hare was empty.
Woofy One
October 10th, 2012
6:59 pm
The turning over of coaches for losing a few games is dumb. A 3 year slump maybe,
OkieDawg
October 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
I still love it when Cam said: I love “The University of Auburn”. He wasn’t there long enough to even know the name of the school. PATHETIC!
And I misss watching Trooper Taylor running on the field and high fiving Nick Fairley after a dirty hit. Trooper said he wears his hat backwards because it is a tribute to his Dad who asked him to do that as a memorial to him. It has been confirmed that Trooper wore his hat backward prior to his Dad’s demise. Why would Trooper do that? It is a sad commentary and I feel sorry for Trooper.
Can you remove a giant tatoo on your bicep? What is going on with the “all in family” in Auburn? Sammie Coates says the team does not have a leader and Chizik says that is one mans opinion. Tom Lugenbill says there is no leadership from the coaches or players and Auburn will not win a Conference game. This is a Dumpster Fire.
Trooper for Head Coach…NOW! Rember what he did at Oklahoma State? He mentored Dez Bryant…nuff said
bamaguy
October 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
UGA and the AJC should be seriously concerned about what is happening (or not happening) in Athens, Georgia. I guess Auburn’s current season provides some distraction.
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
7:04 pm
“Why is the barn perpetually young? What happened to all those wonderful top ten classes signed by Gene? He’s been there four years…why the drop off?”
I love it how you can’t even back up your own comment. Come on, explain how/when AU will go on probation.
“Trooper’s out there spending money like crazy…see Rueben Foster”
Ah yes, more lies without anything to back it up.
“You didn’t need to be hit by the NCAA, you have put yourselves on probation, and I’m laughing all the way to November.”
Bammer just got off probation. You gals were on it how long? 12-14 years? HAHAHAHAHA
JB
October 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
OKIE Dawg @5:38….funniest post I’ve read on the AJC… Good stuff
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
“UGA and the AJC should be seriously concerned about what is happening (or not happening) in Athens, Georgia.”
The entire state of GA athletics. Braves, Hawks, GT, UGA…. ALL losers.
JB
October 10th, 2012
7:09 pm
Bamaguy. Richt will go 11-1, 10-2 at the worst. Problems are in Mizzou, Nashville,Knoxville, Wherever Ole Miss is, AU………Those are problems
Dawg Tired
October 10th, 2012
7:10 pm
Chizek MAY save his job by beating UGA this year. If Auburn losses to a Georgia team best known for slow fat out of shape linemen who are either out-quicked or simply run over by the opposing team’s players, then he ought to be fired.
Jay
October 10th, 2012
7:14 pm
Bring back one of the Tommy’s
SEC Fact Finder
October 10th, 2012
7:27 pm
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
6:13 pm
“Why do people keep bringing up Bobby Petrino?”
Same reason they said Auburn would get probation. They’re stupid people
Huh,
I avoid posting on these blogs because of the amount of trash talk an unsubstantiated rumors that get floated. As some on here know I work multiple games throughout the conference in two sports, and several weeks ago I worked a Kentucky game. I have several very close friends at Kentucky and I can say without a doubt that Petrino IS on their list, along with several other candidates. That does not mean he will be hired, but people have to understand the money some in the Wildcat Foundation are willing to spend. That along with the Pitino deal at Louisville, some want to give payback to their in state rivals and hire their former coach.
Hope you all have a great Saturday and good luck to you and your teams. Go SEC!
Delusional Tiger
October 10th, 2012
7:32 pm
We can’t fire Gene Chizik. He’s a good man, and he won a National Championship for Auburn.
Besides, who could we hire to replace him? Huh? It’s not like Head Coaches grow on trees, ya know.
DawgNole
October 10th, 2012
7:36 pm
HUH?????
October 10th, 2012
5:56 pm
You know who hasn’t won a national championship?
UGA
______________________
Another lie from HUH????
Why am I not surprised?
78dawg
October 10th, 2012
7:41 pm
Auburn had to slack off their pay-for-play and now can’t beat anyone. Bye.
Dawg catcher
October 10th, 2012
7:44 pm
Georgia hasn’t won a national championship in over 30 years and they are making fun of a school that has. It’s a bunch or sour grapes. Even Tenn has one in the BCS era.
Beast from the East
October 10th, 2012
7:45 pm
I still cannot understand why they hired him in the first place. Same with Dooley at UT. Why would you a hire a coach with a losing record from an inferior program?
Cam, Fairley and the gang won that NC. Chizik just happened to be there when all the stars aligned. His record without Cam speaks for itself.
Bill
October 10th, 2012
7:48 pm
Since both Georgia’s rise under Herschel and Auburn’s ascent with Cameron refer to events without historical “precedent”, did our wordsmith Mr. Bradley misspeak when he talks of Auburn’s rise being one without an antecedent, which only means it won’t happen again in the future? Or am I confused?
Flat Tire on I95 in Jacksonville
October 10th, 2012
7:50 pm
Yes he should be fired and also Paul Johnson!
SEC Fact Finder
October 10th, 2012
7:51 pm
Beast from the East
October 10th, 2012
7:45 pm
I still cannot understand why they hired him in the first place. Same with Dooley at UT. Why would you a hire a coach with a losing record from an inferior program?
Cam, Fairley and the gang won that NC. Chizik just happened to be there when all the stars aligned. His record without Cam speaks for itself.
Beast, I cannot answer the Auburn question, but word out in Knoxville was they hired Dooley for the same reason Alabama hired Shula. Both were dealing with NCAA issues from their previous coaches and they wanted to make sure name recognition would help them in their damage control with the investigators to show they were serious about correcting issues that were front in center. I will add they both had planned on winning with these hires, but as we all know they both have done good jobs of restoring responsiblity in both programs and started them to get back on the right footing with their programs.
DawgNole
October 10th, 2012
7:54 pm
OkieDawg
October 10th, 2012
5:27 pm
Chizik doesn’t really want to coach. He wants to be a barber. That’s why he wears a barber shirt. He looks like Floyd Lawson.
OkieDawg
October 10th, 2012
5:38 pm
Auburn has a HC that looks like a barber, a DC that looks like a porn star, an OC that looks like he just got off the short bus and a wide receiver coach that doesn’t know the bill goes to the front. And you wonder why the program is a dumpster fire?
JB
October 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
OKIE Dawg @5:38….funniest post I’ve read on the AJC… Good stuff
______________________
Agreed. OkieDawg has earned his blogging stripes tonight.
muleshoe
October 10th, 2012
7:56 pm
If Tennessee will be patient, I think Dooley can get the job done…You have to give him 5 years, same with Chizik. Now, if after 12 years he hasn’t sniffed a national title, well, ask Georgia for guidance. They have experience it that area.
DawgNole
October 10th, 2012
8:01 pm
Bill
October 10th, 2012
7:48 pm
Since both Georgia’s rise under Herschel and Auburn’s ascent with Cameron refer to events without historical “precedent”, did our wordsmith Mr. Bradley misspeak when he talks of Auburn’s rise being one without an antecedent, which only means it won’t happen again in the future? Or am I confused?
________________
You’re both confused.
doggit
October 10th, 2012
8:03 pm
I’m so glad I moved one state northeast, that still touches MY home state but not Alabama.
Dirty Dawg
October 10th, 2012
8:03 pm
The thing is first you’ve got to find somebody that’ll go along with the pay-for-play thing. Obviously Patrino’s a candidate, but even Auburn might have a problem with hiring the a-hole while he’s still wearing that neck brace.
Delusional Tiger
October 10th, 2012
8:17 pm
Bobby Petrino will coach again. He’s not the first man to commit adultery. Nor is he the first football coach to do it. You guys act like you’re all a bunch of sweetie-pie angels when you’re posting on this blog. Bet you wouldn’t want to have the news media sticking their nose in everything most of you do from day to day. You might not sound quite so self righteous then.
wrecked again
October 10th, 2012
8:21 pm
would take cheese stick instead PJ any day.
Delusional Tiger
October 10th, 2012
8:25 pm
@wrecked again
I’ll go along with that. At least he’s been around big time football programs. PJ is a fish fry joke.
Chuck UGA
October 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
Chizik? What about Mark Richt? Will Georgia fire Richt after he loses to Florida and possibly even Auburn? Maybe he wins both, but very, very unlikely.
Titanium
October 10th, 2012
8:41 pm
This message is provided by Tide Fans for Jim Chizik. “Save Jim Chizik!”
Titanium
October 10th, 2012
8:43 pm
Does any one do The Shacket more justice?
Stephen A. Dawg. At least AU has a ring! What does UGA have ?.....a tarnished reputation for $ 30 million.
October 10th, 2012
8:47 pm
Even though they may have paid for it (and are still paying for it) AU has a BCS ring for the thousand of dollars they paid Cecil Newton. UGA has paid Mark Richt nearly $30 million dollars and counting and are still ringless. So Auburn should eat Chizik’s $ 7 million dollar buyout and still come out of a losing situation far better and cheaper than wasteful UGA, who pays their coach millions for cheap wins and blowout losses against ranked opponents !!
Radney
October 10th, 2012
8:48 pm
No
ethics at all if a man is fired after winning a NC. He didn’t stop learning how to coach all of a sudden.
OldSchool
October 10th, 2012
8:54 pm
This win at all cost attitude has to stop. The SEC is a pressure cooker because of the unrealistic expectations of its fans. If Nick Saban goes 6-6 or 7-5 in the next season because of bad luck and injuries should he be fired? Les Miles was almost fired for winning games too close. He won a freaking National Championship. SEC fans are ignorant rednecks. The loudest fans are the ones that never attended college or probably never graduated high school. Georgia QB Aaron Murray’s house is trashed because he lost a football game. Christ almighty! Murray is great young man and has already graduated! Even GT thinks they are high and mighty. Fire Coach Johnson they say. He is the best coach that GT has had since Bobby Ross and Ross was the only good coach they had since Bobby Dodd in the 60’s. Cam Newton or no Cam Newton, Gene Chizik coached Auburn to a National Championship team. He should at least be able to coach for 3 more years, yeah 3 more years. When I was at UGA in the 70’s Dooley went 5-6 in 77, 7-5 in 78 and 6-5 in 79. Maybe we should have fired him? Wait, we won it all in 1980. Yes we had Herschel, but we went 11-1 in 1983 after Herschel was long gone. Morale to the story, stick with the coach. Chizik will right the ship. However, I hope GT fires coach Paul Johnson because that boy can coach. I would not be surprise if his undersized and slow players beat my Dawgs at the end of the year.
bamaguy
October 10th, 2012
8:58 pm
Auburn is falling into the abyss, as are the Carolina Panthers. That karma thing kinda works out.