Posted on 11/25/2012 4:43:08 PM PST by Clint N. Suhks
To the Auburn Family:
I am very grateful for the opportunity that I had during the last four seasons to serve as the head football coach at Auburn University. I’m extremely disappointed with the way this season turned out and I apologize to the Auburn family and our team for what they have had to endure.
In my 27 years of coaching, I have gained an understanding of the high expectations in this profession. When expectations are not met, I understand changes must be made.
While we experienced a tremendous low in 2012, I will always be proud of the incredible highs that we achieved, including three bowl victories, an SEC championship and a national championship.
I want to thank Dr. Gogue and Jay Jacobs for the great opportunity they gave me. I’m confident in their leadership ability to continue to move this football program forward.
I feel blessed to have been surrounded with so many great coaches, players and administrators that have worked relentlessly and dedicated themselves to this institution. I will miss not being able to continue to mentor these players on a daily basis. I’m confident these young men will continue to excel both on and off the field. They are a great group and I wish them nothing but the best.
I’ve been fortunate to spend seven years of my coaching career at Auburn, which is an incredible place to work and live. My family and I have been blessed to call Auburn home and look forward to remaining in the Auburn community.
I have said this many times, but the Auburn fans are the best in college football. They have an incredible passion and love for their school and I want to thank them for their support in good times and in bad times.
As I said four years ago when I arrived, Auburn was great way before we got here and it will remain great long after we leave. My sentiments about Auburn have not and will not change. I wish the next football coach all the best and I anticipate a smooth transition.
I encourage the Auburn family to continue to be ‘All In’ and support this great university and its athletics programs.
War Eagle!
Gene Chizik
uh, it was 6 times! :-)
I have never understood why Auburn never gave Pat Sullivan a shot. He did fine at other schools. I guess he is now getting a little old now.
Seems he's become a Domer fan.
Jeff Fisher as in Jeffy from the Tennessee Titans? I love him. I’ve been mad at the Titans ever since they let him go.
P.S. Wittek has a great future.
Daughter mentioned in last week or so she’d like to try out for Tiger Eyes Dance Line . . . not sure how much competition there is but since she danced for 15 years and we probably spent 25-30K for dance, costumes & recitals . . . she misses dance but being the good conservative young lady she is, she also wants to apply to be an RA so she can earn free housing. I told her not to worry about the money and enjoy her freshman and sophomore years and IF she really wants to do RA she can try her jr. and or sr. year.
"We believe in Auburn and love it—not for the football team, but for the amazing experiences we had there as students, the degrees we earned that paved the way for our futures, and the classmates who turned into family. The football culture is fun, but Auburn is so much more than that (and not every school can say that). War Eagle!"
Yes - I still have respect for Coach Chizik and wish him well. My two Auburn college students could not watch the game as we were with family that they only see once a year.... Still LOVE Auburn - no matter what!!!
How is your ankle?
Seems I recall a story that both Haden and John McKay, Jr.—the son of the Trojans’ head coach—were sought by Notre Dame, and together, they flew over there to check out the school. However, it was the late fall or winter, and they only took light jackets. For some strange reason, they decided to stay in Southern California.
Good man, lousy coach. He made more $ in 4 years than I will see in my lifetime, so he’ll be OK. He will catch on as a defensive coordinator somewhere and return to his level of competence.
LOL! Yeah, there’s a reason they play in South Bend in mid-October and California in late November. Knute Rockne must have agreed to set it up that way. :-)
LOL! Yeah, there’s a reason they play in South Bend in mid-October and California in late November. Knute Rockne must have agreed to set it up that way. :-)
I have never understood why Auburn never gave Pat Sullivan a shot. He did fine at other schools. I guess he is now getting a little old now.
If I recall. Sullivan was fighting cancer a few years ago...probably is not physically up to coaching...and he is in his early/mid-60’s by now
Wish the U of Iowa had the guts to do this. They are paying Kirk Ferentz almost $4 million a year, and he went 4-8 this year. That would be $1 million per win.
Notre Dame’s defensive coaching staff has 3 former Hawkeye players/coaches: Bobby Diaco, Kerry Cooks, and Bob Elliot. So the pattern continues, tons of former Hawkeye coaches play for National Championships, and Iowa has a losing record against Iowa State, Northwestern, and Minnesota under 14 seasons of Ferentz. He only had a winning record against Paterno at Penn State; now that he’s gone, Iowa lost to them 38-14 this year.
He had the talent to win, but player development and retention was terrible. Auburn lost an unusually high number of players before their eligibility ran out, and many of the highly rated players did not pan out. They caught lightning in a bottle with Cam Newton, but after that, poor coaching took its toll.
The only question is will Charlie Strong go to Arkansas, Tennessee or Auburn.
I have never seen state media so one sided as those of this state. I do not read any sports articles of the papers here or watch tv sports. It is disgusting. With fans like some on the sports sites, AU deserves better. A friend who played for AU is quite upset with some fans’ attitude of telling others to not support AU.
Well said, Jemian....I agree. I hope a new coach is found quickly. Better days are ahead.
WAR EAGLE!!
Nice signoff.
This coach will find another college willing to bring him in. A national championship ex-head coach will not go overlooked for long. Especially with his overall record.
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