Gene Chizik, The 2nd Stanza On The Plains.

Gene Chizik's quick turnaround of the Auburn Tiger's from a sub .500 squad to league and BCS contenders has been mightily impressive. It would seem that the Auburn family is heading in the direction of similar programs under the likes of Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, and Nick Saban. But how does Chizik compare to these coaches from the time they took their place in the spotlight?

Bob Stoops took over an Oklahoma Football program that had not made a bowl appearance in four years.  They had been dismissed by the football world after the Barry Switzer era and lame duck coaches during the 1990's.  Bob Stoops had never held a head coaching position yet quickly lead the Sooner Nation back to prominence.  After a 7-5 improvement in 1999, the Sooner's quickly rose back into the ttitle contender talks by defeating the defending national champions, Florida State, 13-2 in the Orange Bowl.  Since then, the Sooner's have played for 3 BCS Titles.  Even though Stoop's has only one BCS Title under his belt, he is held in high regard as one of the best football minds in the game today and actively pursuing his next title.

Jim Tressel, an Ohio Native and longtime Youngstown State head coach, had seen nothing but success in his reigns at Youngstown State during the 1990's. The Ohio State faithful became irate after another loss to Michigan under John Cooper. It was no surprise that the OSU Athletic Department took their chips and placed them all in the hands of Jim Tressel, who had such a profound career under his belt already. Like Stoop's, Tressel saw improvement in his first season with a 8-4 record. Then, in his second season, Ohio State rose to the top with a 14-0 record. With Tressel in charge, OSU has remained in title contention year each year and within reach of a second BCS Championship.

Nick Saban, many hate him, but the Alabama fan base hangs onto the words like a teenage girl listening to Justin Bieber. What Paul "Bear" Bryant achieved in 25 years, Saban has eclipsed in less than half that time. He quickly took an Alabama team from mediocrity to a 12-2 season and a #1 ranking for the first time in 16 years in his second season alone.  Even though he ran into "The Speech" and Tim Tebow in the SEC/BCS Title Game, his 3rd season saw not only the first Heisman Trophy winner with Mark Ingram, but a 22nd SEC Title and 13th National Title.  This was the 2nd time around for Saban completing a turnaround of a football program.  He took the middle of the pack LSU Tigers and put them back on the map with a SEC Title in his 2nd year and a BCS Title in his 4th.  Till this day, LSU Fan's still wonder today, "What If?"

Gene Chizik has done a tremendous job after after he was hired away from Iowa State following a 5-19 record.  He has the Tigers in reach of an SEC West Title and, most importantly, the Alabama Title.  He has history on his side and a weak SEC East that can possibly place the Tigers in to the BCS Title game in only his 2nd year. But unlike any of the other coaches above, he has to go through one man before reaching these goals: Nick Saban. Saban may prove to be the most difficult obstacle yet.