Former Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator and current Iowa State Cyclones head coach, Gene Chizik, is said to be in the running for the head coaching position at Auburn.
Said Cyclones athletic director Jamie Pollard in a statement Friday:
Auburn’s interest in Gene speaks to his reputation. We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their services.
Chizik was defensive coordinator for Auburn from 2002 to 2004. He then spent two seasons with the Longhorns under Mack Brown, including the 2005 National Championship run.
He took the reigns at Iowa State after the 2006 season, and was considered one of the hottest young coaches at the time. Unfortunately, in two seasons at Iowa State, he’s gone just 5-19. He was 2-10 this season, going winless in the Big 12 Conference.
He would be wise to get out of the Iowa State cesspool while there is still something left of his reputation.
In fact, with the improved recruiting he would see at Auburn, he could do quite well there. If offered, he’d better take the job.
Meanwhile in Lubbock, the news that a ten-loss Gene Chizik is getting more attention from Auburn than the one-loss Mike Leach has certainly got to sting.