Chizik: I want guys who want to be here

Gene Chizik said he doesn’t consider himself to be a multitasker.

Each of the number of duties on his plate, the new Auburn coach said, has been approached “methodically,” with proper time allotted so Auburn gets “the best fit” — the buzz phrase around Auburn since Chizik was hired.

Accordingly, those players that don’t believe Auburn is their best fit aren’t worth Chizik’s time, he said Friday.

In light of the news that four players had reportedly left the team, Chizik said he was only focused on the players — those on the current roster and potential recruits — that want to be at Auburn.

“I’m not spending time on guys that aren’t here … and that’s how I’ll be from here until they put me in my grave,” Chizik said. “The ones that aren’t here, I don’t have a whole lot of time to worry about that. I only have time to worry about the ones that are, so that’s where I’ll spend my energy.”

Chizik said he wouldn’t close the door on wide receiver Chris Slaughter, linebacker Tray Blackmon, cornerback Ryan Williams and defensive lineman Raven Gray, but basically ruled out the possibility of any of the four returning for the 2009 season.

“I’d say that’s where you could lean and be pretty correct,” Chizik said.

Blackmon, who has three kids, is reportedly trying to land a deal in the Canadian Football League. Williams, who was in Tommy Tuberville’s doghouse throughout 2008, has transferred to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss.

It’s unknown what Slaughter’s and Gray’s plans are. Chizik would probably be the last person you want to ask.

“I want guys who want to be at Auburn,” Chizik said. “I’ll say that until I’m blue in the face.”

Chizik touched on a number of other subjects in his nearly 20-minute talk with local reporters, just his third meeting since he was named head coach one month ago.

* In keeping with the theme of him not being a multitasker, Chizik said he has and will continue to tackle each opening on his coaching staff one by one.

Chizik still has three openings: an offensive line coach and two defensive assistants. He said he has not come to a decision about what positions will be the focus of James Willis, formerly the linebackers coach under Tuberville, and defensive coordinator Ted Roof, whose expertise is also linebackers.

Chizik said it was a possibility that he would interview coaches at next week’s coaches convention in Nashville.

* Auburn has inherited a number of potential recruits with the hires of running backs coach Curtis Luper and wide receivers/assistant head coach Trooper Taylor. AuburnSports.com has reported that a number of recruits Luper and Taylor were trying to pursue to Oklahoma State could now be instead interested in Auburn.

While understanding the perceived negativity of trying to woo away members of another team’s pool of prospects, Chizik said it’s part of the business.

“We’re trying to be very respectful of that, but at the same time, we have to be able to bring in the best players for Auburn,” Chizik said. “Recruiting is just a battle.”

A number of the players Luper and Taylor have developed relationships with hail from states Auburn has rarely touched for recruiting, such as Texas and Kansas. Chizik said it’s more of an anomaly than a sign of things to come. Alabama still comes first.

“We’ve got to saturate this state and we’ve got to do a great job of recruiting in this state,” Chizik said. “That’s the No. 1 priority, and then you kind of branch out from there.

“If there’s an existing relationship somewhere where we feel like we can go four states away and get a player who’s a great one, usually it’s going to take some type of circumstance where you have a relationship previously.”

Chizik said Auburn’s biggest needs are on the offensive line, at wide receiver and quarterback. Defensively, Chizik said he always looks to upgrade with faster players.

This weekend will be the first of three weekends where recruits can officially visit Auburn. Chizik said he expects around 10 or 11 players to be on campus.

“It’s got to be a home-run weekend and we’ve got to treat it like a gameday,” Chizik said. “At the end of the day you win or you lose. It’s really that cut and dry.”

* Chizik held a team meeting Wednesday, the first day of spring semester classes. When time permits, he has met with players individually to match names with faces, he said.

One player who he has had multiple “heart-to-hearts” with is defensive lineman Antonio Coleman, who recently announced he would return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL Draft.

“He already has graduated, which is phenomenal,” Chizik said. “That says a lot about who he is. He’s wise beyond his years. The decision couldn’t have been made by a better kid. I was pumped.”

* Chizik wouldn’t go into specifics, but said he plans to push back spring practice. Under Tuberville, A-Day was originally scheduled for March 28.

“I’ve always been of the mindset anyway of starting spring practice later because I don’t think you can do a very thorough evaluation of the previous year if you don’t,” Chizik said. “That’s just my opinion. Doesn’t mean it’s right.”

Support staff announced
Chizik announced his quality control staff and graduate assistants Friday evening, including the retention of defensive graduate assistant DeMarco McNeil, who served on Tuberville’s staff.

Defensive quality control staffers Gabe Rodriguez and Dustin Landry both followed Chizik from Iowa State.

Rhett Lashlee was named offensive graduate assistant and Chris Martin was named offensive quality control.

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