As you know by now, Coach Gene Chizik was fired earlier today from his position as the head coach of the Auburn University football team. There is plenty of time to talk about this in later blogles, but for tonight, I give you the last email that Chizik sent to Auburn students just moments ago.
Once reading it, you will no doubt feel a little less anger than you may have felt over the last few months. He’s just a guy, albeit a millionaire, that was doing his best to win football games at Auburn. For the most part, he did that.
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
War Eagle, Gene.
14 comments
Sorry, hes a decent human but a bad coach. Did a poor job his entire tenure. I love 2010 but it was lighting in a bottle, nothing more.
If he really Ioves us that much then he ought to forfeit half his buyout out of respect, he doesn’t deserve a windfall payday after this wasted season.
I have said, and maintain that we won the NC in 2010 because Gene was smart enough to stay out of Gus and Cam’s way.
Furthermore, I am angry that Jay Jacobs gets to keep his job. The three “Big” sports, Football, Basketball and Baseball have all been marginal at best under Jacobs, why does he deserve to stick around? Surely he doesn’t have the balls or the Brains to make a decent hire this go round.
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Jay Jacobs must go… 98% sure he will give his “Resignation” after the coaching search so he can save face. Thank goodness Tim Jackson is already gone… But Gene was a Auburn man in his character. dont speak ill of the man.
Why should be donate half his buy out? Maybe Auburn did not do well this year but just wait til the new coach comes on board. He will be starting all over and you may have to wait a few more games to see another championship team at Auburn. Give the man a break. Do you really think the man wanted to lose those games? I wish him much luck and happiness in whatever he decides to do now.
Gene Chizik is a class act…a true Auburn man.
War Eagle!!!
Move on out, Gene!
Bring in the BIG-NAME NEW COACH!!
Winning again will be SWEEEEEET! :)
Say what you will about his ability as a head coach, but Gene Chizik always represented our university with class and dignity. Sometimes bad but necessary things must happen to good people. Good luck and War Eagle, Gene.
I wish Gene and his family luck in all their endeavors moving forward. I hope Auburn fans never forget that he was a great human being and the Auburn community was a better place for having him and his family. He was a amazing recruiter(going up against the best recruiter in the nation in his own state and held his own or beat him out) Gene gave us 3 winning seasons, 3 bowl victories, a SEC championship and a National Championship in 4 yrs(in the SEC East the toughest Division in the Nation). Gene also defended our Auburn Tigers in 2010 when the whole nation was against us and feel sorry for him having to defend himself from a MEDIA that was out to prove they were right about him being a bad choice(as they still do with Cam Newton). I like to say the MEDIA wanted us to make Turner Gill our coach instead(Wow we dodged a bullet with that guy and definitely would not have won a BCS NC with him) So for someone who never had the deck stacked in your favor. Let me just say Thank You Gene Chizik and War Eagle Forever!!!
P.S. he was part of our 2004 season too.
AHHHHH GO TO HELL GENE AHHH!!!!!! lol
Some of y’all need to chill out, he was trying to be nice and admit his mistakes… I’m not a big fan or Gene, but he is only human… Just like Alabama with their “Shula” years, you still stand behind the team and eventually all will be well again.
Although we had a crappy season this year, and no matter how good a man Gene is, he knew he was gone after the iron bowl. How many coaches do you know of that go 3-9 for the season or even worse doesnt win a single conference game and still keep his job. It is unheard of. This horrible season stems from bad coaching decisions. Gene is a stand up guy yes but just didn’t make the right decisions for Auburn this year.
WAR DAMN EAGLE !!!!!
Fine, maybe that’s a little harsh, but I’m pissed, I feel cheated and scammed, I know Gene thought he could win without Gus, but he couldn’t, and when Gus left he brought in the exact wrong pieces. I’m pissed and don’t believe Gene deserves a 10+ million dollar payday for giving us intolerable garbage this season. However, I am a big fan of contract law ;) * Rant Complete*
I have ZERO confidence in Jay Jacobs.
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