We think Coach Chizik has done one hell of a job.
Thinking about Auburn’s situation 3 years ago and our coaching hire, I was not far removed from the fan that booed Jay Jacobs as he emerged with our new Coach Gene Chizik. Now as he begins his 4th year on the Plains I thought it was worth taking a look at his first three years to see where we are as a program.
First, let me say I was wrong. On a lot of accounts. My logic was sound but there were obviously things there I failed to see.
What has Chizik actually accomplished in three years:
1) National Championship. The magnitude of this can’t be denied. Pat Dye tried in vain for 12 years. Tommy Tuberville came close but had no cigar to show. Shug Jordan only managed it once. Some of us honestly thought we’d die without ever getting the chance to witness a national title at Auburn. Now we won’t.
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35 Days
“Dude! Come check this out! Someone just posted 27 pictures of what looks like could maybe possibly be a serious or not serious NCAA violation by our rival!”
“Hang on, man! You first have to come look at this news story about a rumor of a secret source speaking through a 5th party to a local call-in radio show about a player being purchased for an exorbitant amount of money!”
The reactions to these statements are always the same. Excitement leads to expectations, and when those expectations aren’t met immediately, vitriolic hate becomes the fuel for conversation.
By no means am I about to speak about why the NCAA should get rid of its rule book and let universities fight to the death to obtain the signatures of high school athletes. I’m also not going to explain why we should ignore the current allegations against numerous schools in the NCAA. I’m not even going to really blame the unofficial investigators who stumble upon this information.
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Welcome to Auburn Mr. Frazier
The second edition of Big Cat Weekend can already be credited for reeling in one of the top recruits in the country.
Or maybe Kiehl Frazier, dual-threat quarterback out of Springdale, Ark., had his mind made up before the festivities kicked off Friday.
Either way, Frazier, the Tigers’ seventh commitment for 2011, was on the Plains this weekend and probably aiding in Auburn’s recruitment of an estimated 35 of the nation’s top prospects.
Frazier, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound athlete, is ranked No. 4 among the nation’s quarterbacks, according to Scout.com. He had offers from most of the nation’s top programs, including Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan and in-state Arkansas.
Frazier, who threw for 3,817 yards and 48 touchdowns, plays his high school ball at Shiloh Christian High. Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was the head coach there from 1996-2000.
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Barbee does it again, welcome Chris Denson
Add another one to Tony Barbee’s first signing class.
Tuesday morning, Shaw (Columbus, Ga.) High point guard Chris Denson inked with the Tigers, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
Denson, at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, averaged 27 points per game as a senior, while racking up six assists, five rebounds and three steals per game, according to AuburnSports.com.
Three players have now signed on to play under Barbee in his first year on the Plains — Denson, swingman Josh Langford and forward Luke Cothron.
Langford, at 6-7, 203, out of Lee High School in Huntsville, was rated the top recruit in the state after finishing his senior season averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds per game.
Cothron, at 6-foot-9 and 218 pounds, averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game as a senior last year for Flora Macdonald Academy in Red Springs, N.C.
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