Gene Chizik and Auburn Football Media Days

So what did we get from today, fans?

It’s kind of hard to tell to be honest, at least from where I am sitting. Coach Chizik did an amazing job at the podium to keep the focus on the team as it is today and not the team of the past.

Coach Chizik spoke eloquently into the microphone without missing a beat. He spoke of the strong presence the new staff has placed over the recruiting trails. He seems to be very proud of his team and its accomplishments thus far, and more importantly he seems to be very proud to be an Auburn man. If anything else, having a guy that seems to genuinely want to be there should give Auburn fans some relief.

He maintained his cool presence throughout the question-taking process. He stressed his ties to the Auburn family and how Tiger fans are the best that he has ever been around.

Chizik touched on his staff choices. There has been nothing but smiles across the board for who he has brought in to work alongside him and build this football team. When asked about the decision to keep coaches from his former staff and from the Auburn staff, he humbly answered. Just like any other decision made as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference, coaching choices are difficult.

Chizik touched briefly on where the talent that is currently at Auburn fits into the schemes that his coaching staff brings. Easily stated, that’s what makes a great coaching staff. There has never been a more true statement. That is what the difference between this year and last year’s team and coaches seems to be so far.

Tuberville and his staff just didn’t seem to be able to adjust. Look at what Malzahn did in his first year at Arkansas. The hogs went wild on folks, with no quarterback.

Does it seem that it is going to be an easy transition for the Auburn Tigers under this new staff and these new schemes? Of course it won’t be. But this group of coaches seems to be working harder every day to make sure that not only do the kids on the team fit into what they are trying to do, but the kids that are being recruited fit into that scheme as well.

With all this talk of the staff and their recruiting genius, what is the reasoning behind Auburn’s few commitments? The team has twelve now, but that number is still a little low. This staff is being very picky. They want to make sure that every guy they recruit is going to not only qualify, but that his goals and attitude fits in with what they are trying to develop in Auburn. It’s not just football for Coach Chizik, it’s a family thing.

So what about the young guys that were picked up this year in the 2009 recruiting class? They are talented. The coaches have noticed this as well. But they have a long way to go, just like any other freshman moving to the college level. Look for Benton and Blake to take some snaps.

Throughout the whole process I was looking for some sort of "tipping of the hat" as to what to look for as far as scheme goes. What happened at Iowa State? At every corner there was a potential stumbling block, but Chizik remained cool, calm, and collected and stuck to his well thought out answers.

Chizik is a great man for Auburn and thus far has quietly led Auburn in the right direction. Of course, this season will say a lot. 

What do you guys and gals think? Discuss...