The Chizik Era Begins At Auburn

This is my first attempt at an article on here so please be critical, but not overly so. Thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to put in my two cents worth on the current situation at Auburn University—and hopefully some new insight into the future of the football program.

The hiring of Gene Chizik was not received by the media or some of the fanbase with an awful lot of enthusiasm. The previous two weeks have seen much of the negativity reduced and replaced with what I’d call hesitant acceptance. 

The assistant coaching hires to date have gone a long way in giving Coach Chizik’s reign a feel of credibility. Every hire has been noted as a “fierce” recruiter, something the Tigers have not really had in recent past. The hiring of Gus Malzahn, who engineered a terrific offensive showing by Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl, has energized an Auburn fanbase to new heights. 

Obtaining the services of Curtis Luper and then Trooper Taylor will become known as a master stroke of genius and is probably already showing some returns. Retaining James Willis and the hiring of Ted Roof for the defense is a great start for that side of the ball.

Each aforementioned staff member has roots not only in the South, but nationally, and has “hit the ground running” so to speak on the recruiting trail. Just the shot in the arm the Tigers needed.

If I sound like I’ve drank the proverbial Kool-Aid, I haven’t. I will admit I’m excited about seeing the product at A Day and then in September. With the limits of time working against the staff, a Top 20 finish in the recruiting wars is probably the best that can be expected, but don’t count these guys out. 

A lot of the Top 150 are uncommitted and very few of the committed have signed, and take it from me, the Loveliest Village on the Plains is a great place to be.    

As far as the 2009 season is concerned, look for the Orange and Blue to make a comeback and be much improved. The defense will thrive under Coach Roof, especially with the players already on the depth chart. The offense, well, that, of course, is the big question.

Can the players on campus run Malzahn’s offense? Is there a quarterback to run the offense? 

No five-star recruits, you say? No named receivers, you say?  I say, "so what?" Those will come in time, possibly with the 2009 signing class. But bear in mind, Utah is never in the Top 20 recruiting classes, neither is Tulsa. But I’ve seen, and become a believer, that speed is deadly, and the difference between a five-star and a three-star is simply someone’s opinion—and we all have those.

On a closing note, while excited about the upcoming team, I am trusting Coach Chizik and his staff to continue to run a clean, classy program of which we alumni and fans can always be proud. The Tradition will continue. War Eagle.