AU players: Chizik has no gray areas in rules, discipline

AUBURN — Gene Chizik said he has been a big believer in discipline since his days as an assistant coach, quietly benching players for breaking rules.

It sounds like he runs an even tighter program as a head man.

“There are no gray areas as far as rules go,” quarterback Neil Caudle said. He and other players cited several reserves who were dismissed for violating team rules.

Auburn hasn’t identified those players, but the message was apparently received.

“I’m sure a lot of people were surprised because you’re normally going to get a suspension or a slap on the wrist or something,” Caudle said. “It’s really an eye-opener. These coaches really mean what they’re saying.

“Everything we do, there is a specific rule or regulation. That has really helped us to be better people. It’s really cleaned up our acts and making sure we’re doing things right.”

Defensive back T’Sharvan Bell said that signaled a change from the previous coaching staff.

“It probably got a little lax with players doing this and doing that,” he said. “I say the discipline is very different (now). They explain everything to you and there is no gray area about it. If you mess up, you pretty much know what you have to do.”

Discipline is a quick way for new coaches to get their players’ attention. Tommy Tuberville booted a half-dozen players when he took over at Auburn in 1999.

Chizik dismissed a few when he took over at Iowa State in 2007.

When he was defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas, he said he “took away playing time, we’ve put players on the bench, and unfortunately, we had to get rid of people.”

He likes the fact that players like Caudle and Bell have taken notice

“If they say they’ve heard it, that’s good news to me,” Chizik said.

He said he strives for fairness in handling issues with players, giving warnings and other punishments before taking more extreme steps. He said that encompasses everything from attending class — “that’s why they’re in college” — to practice habits. Chizik imposes a curfew during the season but not in the spring.

“If you’re not willing to cooperate, you won’t be here. It’s that simple,” Chizik said.

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