If you were one of the ones two weeks ago demanding apologies from anyone who had the audacity to doubt new Auburn head coach Gene Chizik, how do you like your crow?
If you were one of the ones penning sonnets to the genius of new Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, it’s time to start singing a different tune.
If you were one of the ones marveling at the transformation of Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, further examination is now due.
Don’t feel alone, nearly every observer of Auburn football got caught up to a degree in the blistering offensive pace of the 5-0 start. Glaring defensive deficiencies were overlooked, the relative level of competition was ignored.
It was just too easy to pick up stones and hurl them at former head coach Tommy Tuberville for his 2008 failures while basking in the faux glow of a quick start to 2009.
It’s hard to fathom just how much has changed in the last twelve months for the Auburn Tigers.
In the span of 365 days, the Tigers went from predicted title contender to projected punching bag. Have the Tigers really fallen that far that fast?
At this time a year ago, the Tigers were the chic pick to win the SEC West. The program was one of the most stable in the league, its head coach Tommy Tuberville holding the second-longest tenure of any active SEC coach. Fresh off a heady performance in the Peach Bowl, sophomore quarterback Kodi Burns was expected to step in flawlessly and give the Tigers a dual quarterback threat that was a cross between Michael Vick and Tom Brady. New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin brought the anticipation of a high-flying, high-scoring offensive juggernaut to complement Auburn’s traditionally stingy defense.
In evaluating Gene Chizik after this upcoming season, regardless of what happens, I think we’re going to have to take a lot of other factors into account besides wins and losses. CTT came in and lead a rag tag bunch to a 5-6 record and was just a few plays and a bone headed coaching decision from 8 wins and a bowl. In my mind, it was one of the top coaching jobs of his entire tenure at Auburn. That team was literally void of any real talent and experience. One thing about his final few years that concerned me though, was a perceived change in his recruiting tactics. I know it’s been hashed out time and time again; however, what I saw was a coach and staff that had become complacent, comfortable if you will. There were few if any battles for the top rated talent. Sunshine pumpers defended Tuberville’s knack for “Finding diamonds in the rough”. The two star, 190 lb. linebacker who “Camped well” that will come in, redshirt and Yoxercise for a year had become the norm.
