Talk:Gene Chizik

Auburn
Until Chizik has been officially announced by Auburn University as their next head coach, it is not official, and the article should not be changed until such a time that happens. Something very similar happened with the University of Alabama and Rich Rodriguez in 2006, and Alabama ended up hiring Nick Saban in that search, so please do not change the article until it becomes official. Thanks. CH52584 (talk) 22:48, 13 December 2008 (UTC)

Playing experience
Has it been confirmed that Chizik actually played linebacker for UF and was in the 1981 Peach Bowl? He doesn't seem to have lettered at UF judging by the official record books.

In a preview of his new book Chizik makes no mention of ever playing college football, although some of the book was omitted from the preview. However, this should be addressed. Why doesn't someone just ask Coach Chizik point blank? Media? Where are the AU beat writers on this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.221.212.197 (talk) 22:27, 15 June 2011 (UTC)

The SEC media days are coming up. A reporter should ask Chizik if he ever actually played at Florida (hint hint wimpy Alabama state media). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.98.145.152 (talk) 16:56, 23 June 2011 (UTC)

Some of the older Gator fans have a hard time recalling a Gene Chizik ever playing a down for the Gators. One wonders if this is some O'Leary like resume embellishment that keeps getting reported as fact when it may not be. --WTStoffs (talk) 05:34, 16 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Nice research. I removed all mentions in the article of him as a former player. Did he not play football at all? In the Mike Leach article, there is a part that says Mark Mangino at Kansas, Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech, Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, David Cutcliffe at Duke, and George O'Leary at UCF as the only Division I coaches who have never played the game. Chizik's not included in this list...I'll look into it and see what I can find. BlueAg09 (Talk) 06:42, 16 December 2008 (UTC)
 * It states in his biography from the Auburn University Athletic Media Relations department found here:, that he played at Florida in 1981. That is all that is listed so I removed the Peach Bowl note. Probably the only way we'll be able to know if he played in the game is if there is a participation chart from the game is published online. (which is highly unlikely) I did put everything else regarding his playing at UF in 1981 back in the article. (the info box and note in opening) Rtr10 (talk) 07:23, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Considering that he didn't earn a letter at Florida, it's difficult to believe he played football there. Just because a sports information office put it, doesn't make it true. O'Leary listed for years the things on his resume and the office just went with them. It is interesting to note that it was not mentioned in his hiring at Iowa State. I would think it would have been mentioned then if he played at Florida. It probably would be best if it were left out until it could be confirmed. Pigskin fanatic (talk) 15:18, 16 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Just because someone does not earn a letter does not mean they did not play. A letter is earned for a certain amount of time (or achievment) contributed to the team. There is sourced information from a very' reliable source that he played at Florida (the fact that you say "Just because a sports information office put it, doesn't make it true." is laughable, SID and Media Relation offices are the most reliable sources we have in college football) The only way you can say that he did not play, when there is a reliable source saying otherwise, is to look at each participation chart, from every game of that season. With out that you can't remove information from a reliable source, especially when there is no real evidence to believe he didn't play to begin with. There are 105 members of college football team. A handful are remembered from year to year. Just because some people don't recall him playing there, does not give us standing to say he didn't when there is clear, reliable sourced information that says he did. Rtr10 (talk) 07:57, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

There is an all-time numerical University of Florida football roster available online, and Chizik is NOT listed anywhere on it. I think it is very possible he never played, although there could be other explanations. I would remove any reference to a playing career until there is some kind of verifiable proof. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.73.14.217 (talk) 19:06, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Quoting racist basketball players, why?
This whole screed with Charles Barkley belongs in Charles barkley's wiki page in a controversy section. Not here. No one cares what some fat racist basketball player has to say esxcept for other racists. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.190.29.150 (talk) 19:54, 20 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Would actually best be served in either the Auburn University or Auburn Tigers football article. It is however, still relevant to Chizik's article, because of the unusually high level of resistance met by the fan base, media and public after his hiring, so it is hard to say it doesn't play here. And kind of a different subject, but Charles Barkley isn't really a racist. If you are going to through around that term, it would stick a lot more to the Auburn University Board of Trustee's than it would Barkley, not that it is really relevant. Rtr10 (talk) 06:32, 21 December 2008 (UTC)


 * This whole thing is stupid. The guy was an assistant with Tommy at Auburn. I guess it's racist to hire someone who actually has connections? Affirmative action has no place in college football and neither does Charles Barkley. When Chizik wins the SEC title in 4 years you'll all look stupid. And Turner Gill will end up at a place better than Auburn. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.51.165.224 (talk) 08:58, 21 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Well, I do agree that Turner Gill will end up in a better position, however in my honest opinion it is pretty ignorant to say the Auburn University Board of Trustees, Bobby Lowder in particular (who are all WAYYYYY to involved in the operation of the football program) are not racist. It is pretty much common knowledge that Gill didn't get the job because he is married to a white woman. That's just unacceptable. Gill clearly had a much better resume. (to even imply that Chizik was on his level is laughable) I don't feel sorry for Gill at all and not sorry for Auburn, because they will get whats coming to them for what they did. Rtr10 (talk) 01:59, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

While the Barkley comment was well-publicized, it was not kept in perspective. Barkley's primary concern was seeing a black hire by Auburn. He had suggested two hires, Gill and Rodney Garner, both black. While those are very good candidates, to my knowledge, he did not suggest any white coaches. Previously, Barkley was on a committee for hiring Auburn’s basketball coach, and then he also encouraged hiring a black person. In my opinion, the best candidate should be chosen, period. If someone is nominating candidates because of their race, then that person is being racially biased.

In regard to his comment “Chizik had the worst resume”, that is entirely subjective. Given that Barkely was biased toward hiring a black person, he was apt to view Chizik’s credentials in the worst possible light. Chizik had a very good reputation as a defensive coach, and a very good record as coordinator. Chizik was defensive coordinator on an undefeated Auburn team and an undefeated Texas team that was national champion. After the hire, Mack Brown (Texas head coach) told Tommy Thigpen (AU assistant coach) 'I'm going to tell you one of the best, fiery young coaches, most talented coaches coming up, one of the best I'm ever had coach for me, is Gene Chizik.'. Also, Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN college football commentator) said Auburn had made a good hire. Everyone printed the Barkley quote because it was controversial; however, his statement is not worth remembering.Rockeagle01 (talk) 14:52, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

weak character
repeated, unsportmanlike and deadly assaults by Aubrun players during 2010 (see Georgia and championship games esp) prove weak coaching by persons with bad character; see also esp the stunt to fake an injury in beginning of championship game... using any ploy to cheat a win... and additionally, the swaggering and strutting by Chizik, observable by all, for this weak champions 7 very narrow wins prove a head coach of arrogant, weak nature - please add these facts to article, CH52584
 * These aren't so much facts as they are opinions and accusations. Regardless, can you point to reliable, third party sources that support your claims? Mosmof (talk) 16:01, 11 January 2011 (UTC)

Name
Eugene has racked up more nicknames than wins in his storied coaching career. "Chiznik" was coined by the legendary Mayor of Birmingham, Larry Langford. Other nicknames that are acceptable include Cheez-It, CheezDip, Chitnik, CheezDoodle, Cheeznips, Chizney, Cheeznik, Cheese Curls, ChizikFilA, and Chizikistan. Recently an internet sensation revolving around the name "Jim" has caught fire.

'All' admit difficulty of Iowa State job?
This is a pretty unsubstantiated quote: "Chizik's name came up frequently as a coach who would be on the hot seat for the following season, though all acknowledged the difficulty of the job given the lack of resources and difficult schedule.[14][15][16]"

Any job is difficult for a coach that isn't very good. Previous coaches have had far more success than Chizik, as is the current coach. This looks like a fabrication created by an Auburn fan to prop up the fact that Chizik was hired away while riding a 10-game losing streak. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.214.143.83 (talk) 01:14, 10 October 2012 (UTC)

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