Chizik a surprise choice

By Jon Johnson

Published: December 13, 2008

Well, it appears Gene Chizik will be named the new Auburn football coach. Multiple media outlets confirmed the hiring Saturday afternoon, though Auburn hasn’t released an announcement.
On the Iowa State Web site, however, the school’s athletics director confirmed Chizik told him he was taking the Auburn job.
I’m among the many caught off guard at the hiring. Chizik, while a hot commodity when he was a defensive coordinator at Auburn and then Texas, has stumbled in his two years as head coach at Iowa State. He’s 5-19 in that time, which included going 2-10 this past season.
Out of all the candidates interviewed by Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs, this choice will be among the least popular.
Chizik obviously will have a steep mountain to climb to gain the support of the Auburn faithful. Jacobs certainly put his reputation on the line with the hiring.
Only time will tell, but as for now, it looks on the surface like Auburn struck out on this one.