The big questions for Chizik and Jacobs

Five questions – Gene Chizik
Gene Chizik, Auburn’s new head football coach, was introduced to the media Monday afternoon. Chizik talked for 32 minutes, answering dozens of questions. Here are what we think are the five most important ones:

Why are you the right man for the job?
“I know Auburn, and I love Auburn. I can assure you that everyone who plays for me is going to love Auburn. I know the people and coaches of this state. I know the importance of football in Auburn and the state of Alabama. I think all the coaches that know me in this state and out of state know my Auburn ties. They know that this is a place I loved when I was here and I am thrilled to be back.”

When will your staff of assistants be fleshed out?
“My comment on that would really be unfair other than the fact than I’ve made a commitment to make the best hired for Auburn — whatever that entails. At the end of the day, that’s the bottom line.

“If I feel like they’re a person who is philosophically from the same realm of what I believe in and I feel like they’re the best fit of what we’re doing — whether it’s this staff or any staff — I’m going to talk to them. I’m not discriminating in any way, shape or form.”

Will you honor every commitment?
“Right now, that’s the plan. I don’t know where all of these commitments are at, themselves. I think that’s what’s going to be unique to each individual. I’ve read stuff, I’ve heard stuff, but I won’t really know what the truth of anything is until I sit down with these guys face-to-face or at least talk to them on the phone.”

How challenging will it be to get the fan base on board, due to the negative reaction caused by your record at Iowa State?
“I think that answer is really easy. You have to win. There is going to be skepticism no matter who you hire, in a lot of cases right now, whether your record is 6-6 or 7-5 or 4 8. There are going to be people that agree with it, and there are going to be people who don’t agree with it. I’m smart enough to know that … The people that are going to be negative, I can’t control.”

What type of coach will you be?
“I’ll coach on the field and everything. I might be out there coaching offense or defense. I’m going to be out there and I’m going to be coaching. It’s really hard for me to stand out there and not, so I’ll be involved in everything.”

Five Questions – Jay Jacobs
Auburn atheltics director Jay Jacobs was also on hand to answer questions from the media Monday about the process and eventual hiring of Gene Chizik. Here are his answers to five of the most important questions:

Why is Gene Chizik the man for the job?
“We wanted somebody who was a relentless recruiter, because it is the name of the game, a guy with unbelievable character and integrity, someone who has been successful in the SEC, someone who has the respect and admiration of coaches in the southeast and someone who has an unmatched passion for Auburn football as well as his family.”

What did Chizik say/do that was so impressive?
“He presented us with a blueprint of Auburn football and part of that blueprint was that he shared our goal of competing and winning championships. He also shared our goal of developing these young men academically, spiritually and socially. That fits perfectly with the goals of the people here at Auburn.”

What do you think of the largely negative reaction?
“One great thing about Auburn is the fans’ passion for football. I know that as the Auburn fans get to hear Chizik’s vision and his character and integrity as well as his relentlessness as a recruiter and his love for Auburn and the way his players feel about him, they will come together and know that he is the right man for the job.”

Did the decision come down to picking between Chizik and Buffalo coach Turner Gill?
“It came down to a choice where Chizik was the best fit for Auburn. We interviewed several great candidates but in the end (Chizik) was the best candidate.”

What’s your reaction to those who say your decision was made based on race?
“Well, my reaction is, I was picking the best fit for Auburn.”