2012 SEC Media Days: Auburn coach Gene Chizik heated at SEC Media Days

Photo by: Austin Bigoney

Gene Chizik addressed the media following lunch, dressed in a pin-stripe suit with a pocket square. Chizik brought some excitement back to the media sessions, following the less than stellar Joker Phillips.

• Chizik opens by thanking everyone for sending thoughts and prayers to the Auburn community following the shootings that left three dead.
• Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley will battle for the starting quarterback position in the fall.
• Chizik would not place a time-table on selecting a starting quarterback, but said he would like it done sooner than later.
• Chizik said this is the first time since he’s been at Auburn that the Tigers have had depth at multiple positions.
• Auburn has 16 returning starters, with five returning senior starters.
• The current Auburn senior class has averaged 10 wins a year, are undefeated in postseason play and have a national championship ring.
• Auburn hired a new offensive (Scot Loeffler) and defensive (Brian VanGorder) coordinator this offseason.
• Loeffler and VanGorder have both coached on the NFL level.
• Chizik said if a game is decided by seven points or less, he thinks Auburn is going to win.
• Chizik called Missouri coach Gary Pinkel one of the best coaches in the country.
• Chizik called Missouri and Texas A&M two “dang good” football teams.
• Chizik said geographical reasons are not a reason to move Auburn and Alabama to the SEC East.
• Chizik would have supported the new playoff system in 2004 when Auburn finished undefeated, but would have been opposed in 2010 when the Tigers won the national championship.

Instant Reaction:

Marq: Chizik was his usually calm, collected self during his session. He brought some energy back into the room. Demeanor was very similar to 2010 when he was coming off the national championship. He didn’t get a lot of questions, but he knocked down the few he was answered. He opened by thanking everyone for showing support after the shooting and it seemed like it came straight from the heart.

Marc: I don’t see Chizik all the time, but he seemed absolutely fired up at today’s media session. But he raised his voice to talk about Texas A&M and Missouri joining the SEC, and the potential scenarios in the new playoff format – hot topics, but nothing to get that riled up about. Still, Chizik was very well-spoken and confident in his Auburn team, which he says finally has some depth. Auburn will be tested early with Clemson in Atlanta and a trip to Starkville awaiting the Tigers in weeks one and two.