Chizik leaves Iowa State to take Auburn job

Sports Network | December 13, 2008

Ames, IA (Sports Network) - Gene Chizik is leaving his post as Iowa State's head football coach to take over at Auburn.

Chizik, who has a 5-19 record since taking over at Iowa State in 2007, is expected to be introduced as the Tigers head coach on Monday.

On Saturday, Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard confirmed Chizik's new position.

"Gene confirmed for me today that he is accepting the head coaching position at Auburn," Pollard said in a statement. "I'm disappointed for our Iowa State fans and student-athletes that he has chosen to leave our program after only two seasons. I understand that it is a dream job for him, but the timing and the way it played out has been hurtful and disappointing. Although this is a significant setback, we will get through the challenge because the Iowa State University athletics program is far greater than one person."

The 46-year-old Chizik has ties with the Auburn program. He served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2002-04 before becoming the co-defensive coordinator at Texas the following two seasons.

During his time at Auburn, Chizik also coached the secondary and was on the sidelines for three bowl games - the 2003 Capital One Bowl, 2004 Music City Bowl, and 2005 Sugar Bowl. He won the 2004 Broyles Award, which is given each year to the top assistant coach in the nation. The 2004 Tigers went 13-0, winning the SEC and then beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

Iowa State went 2-10 this past season, including 0-8 in the Big 12.

Auburn needed a replacement for Tommy Tuberville, who announced his resignation as head football coach on December 3. Tuberville guided the Tigers, who entered the season ranked 10th in the nation, to a paltry 5-7 record. It concluded with a 36-0 drubbing by then-top-ranked Alabama in the annual Iron Bowl, ending any chance the Tigers had at a bowl appearance.

In 10 seasons at Auburn, Tuberville compiled an 85-40 record, including a 13-0 campaign and No. 2 national ranking in 2004.