By Michael A. Cummings
HOOVER — Gene Chizik couldn’t figure out whether it was the middle of December or the dog days of summer.
“It’s been a whirlwind of seven-plus months, starting back in mid-December,” said the new Auburn boss, with nearly his very first statement at his very first Southeastern Conference Media Days as a head coach.
Maybe it’s all that cool weather we’ve been having recently.
Or maybe it’s the fact that Chizik is still recycling the same talking points he’s been churning out since mid-December.
The gist: “Hey everybody, I’m Gene Chizik, and I’m the new Auburn coach. Except I’m not new at all. I have deep ties to Auburn and I’m an Auburn man.”
Fair enough, Gene. But the fact that you’re still doing it — remember your first few weeks on the Plains, when the Auburn brass carted in player after player saying how much of an Auburn man you were? — begs a really simple question:
Why?
Back in December, when we met — okay, you’re right, when we got reacquainted — you were really eager to tell us how happy you were to be back in Auburn. That you had, by some divine twist of fate, left your heart on the Plains.
We all just overlooked the fact that you hauled tail for Austin, Texas as soon as Mack Brown came calling.
In June, when you came to Cullman, you were still on message.
“It’s great to be back at Auburn,” you told the crowd of about 600 fired-up fans at Cullman Civic Center.
And Friday at the Wynfrey, you were, once again, still on message.
“I’m excited to be back in Auburn,” you told us again in your opening remarks.
Now, there’s something to be said for consistency. But what’s with all the reminders that you coached at Auburn before?
We know. It was from 2002 to 2004, when you were the defensive coordinator under head coach Tommy Tuberville. In your final year on the plains, Auburn completed its best season in over a decade, finishing 13-0 and winning the SEC.
Hold up. Right there, that’s the answer.
You desperately want to be tied to Auburn’s greatest season in recent memory. Because if you’re not known for that, you’re remembered as the guy that bolted for Texas in 2005.
You told us almost as much yourself Friday.
“Obviously, this is my second go-round at Auburn,” you said, still in your opening remarks. “The last time I was at Auburn, I was blessed to be a part of an undefeated football season in 2004. That’s the last memory I have of Auburn. It’s a great memory.”
Yeah, it is, but a lot has happened between then and now, Gene. There was your change of scenery, your move to a new conference, your BCS championship and those two dismal, dreary, 5-19 years in Iowa.
The first part was good. The second wasn’t. But if you wanted us to focus on any of it, you wouldn’t keep trying to convince us that you’re an Auburn man at heart.
And its hard to blame you. If on Friday you’d mentioned your national title in Austin, that would have reminded everybody that you ran out the side door in Auburn as soon as a bigger program came calling in 2005.
Back then, your seniors weren’t even in the program yet. So it’s no surprise they’re buying in, hook, line and sinker, to everything you’re selling right now.
“If we reflect Coach Chizik, first and foremost, it’s by being an Auburn man,” said rising senior defensive end Antonio Coleman.
“He’s brought an aura, an enthusiasm, because he’s excited to be back at Auburn,” added rising senior tight end Tommy Trott.
So it’s settled. Gene Chizik, you are officially excited to be back at Auburn. Because, really, you’re an Auburn man, and you’re thrilled to be back where the eagles soar, the tigers roar and the plainsmen ain’t so plain.
And really, there’s nothing wrong with the whole rah-rah approach. It’s worked for Pete Carroll at USC for years. But in your case, it just makes one wonder, that’s all. Kind of like how it makes you wonder why a beverage store would paint all of its windows with the words “ICE COLD!!!”
The principle is the same in football as it is in business: If the product is good, it’s good, and word will get around. All that other stuff, it distracts from the real message.
In your case, it’s like this: If the Kool-Aid isn’t sweet, no one’s going to be drinking it. Even if it is orange and blue, through and through.
Like I said, it just makes you wonder. That’s all.
‰ Michael Cummings can be reached by email at michaelc@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 734-2131, ext. 258.
