Breaking News: Gene Chizik Hired At Iowa State

by Peter Bean on Nov 27, 2006 9:57 AM CST in Football Comment 41 comments

Reports are leaking that Gene Chizik has been hired as the new head coach at Iowa State. Good news for the Texas receivers next year?

Immediate reactions here.

Your comment starters:

1) What's your evaluation of Chizik's two years at Texas?

2) While we're on the subject of Texas coordinators, the consensus is that Greg Davis - as good an offensive mind as he has - could definitely use some assistance, or at least some fresh perspective. Is it time to hire Major Applewhite as Co-Offensive Coordinator both to groom him for the future and to give Davis some outside help?

--PB--

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it's funny to me

how great Chizik was supposed to be, and now I think most people are not worried that he's gone. His defenses seemed to underachieve somewhat. Obviously we had a lot of injuries this year and our run defense was amazing, but it seems like this year and last year we had serious issues. But I'm worried about next year, with all the people we're losing, and then a new coach introducing a new system. Although, I guess there's not a better time to start a new system, with new players to learn it.

by hornbone on Nov 27, 2006 9:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Any chance...

we can send ISU Greg Davis too? Call it package deal or Black Monday or Hire one, get one free, or whatever, just take Greg Davis, please.

by 54b on Nov 27, 2006 10:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think it's time we get a different perspective on that side of the ball as well.

by Top Jimmy on Nov 27, 2006 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I said it the diary I posted

but this a strange uncertain time for Texas. They have had 3 coaches in 4 years with completely different schemes and styles. Each one recruiting "their" type guys and moving players to different positions (Kelson).

Now they have a quagmire of odd shaped parts that might not fit with the next coaches style.

As for Chizik's decision making process, it kind of worries me.
Either he is an ego maniac and thinks he can make a smelly turd nice and shinny or he had grown weary of his situation in Austin. No offense to the ISU crowd, but I hardly think that Ames has been a great first step for aspiring coaches. What did he see there that he found appealing?

Chizik versus Davis next year. It should be interesting.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I told you guys....

Heh, I wasn't expecting it at all, but I'm thrilled!!

by CrossCyed on Nov 27, 2006 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

you deserve credit for calling the rim shot from half court. Nice scoop.

I think he is a true leader who has hampered by injuries and circumstances this year.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Initial thought

What I liked about Chizik was the attitude he brought to the defense. Accountability, discipline, straight shooting. Things had gotten a little bit willy-nilly at Texas, and I think Chizik brought some of that championship intensity to the Horns. That's a very valuable attribute for a head coach, and one that should serve him well.

Whether he can work wonders at a place like Iowa State is another question, but if he can turn that program into something solid, with a great year or two mixed in, he'll get a bigger job down the line.

by Peter Bean on Nov 27, 2006 10:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Answer to #1

He gave us the win in Columbus, plain and simple.
The Chizik defense put on an absolute show that night.

Troy Smith a future Heisman winner was given a short field all night and was forced to settle for field goals.

Not in my lifetime has a Texas defense ever shown tenacity like that night.

Without the Columbus win Texas isn't in the Rose Bowl.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

and for #2...I think it would be amazing to bring Major into the picture. Davis is great with QBs evident in Vince Young's development and Colt McCoy's debut season. Major Applewhite might bring some much needed creativity and excitement. Ahh, can you imagine seeing him wearing Burnt Orange again.

by VYdisciple on Nov 27, 2006 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

#2

It couldn't be someone too young. IMO, what Davis needs is another set of eyes who he respects and listens. It would have to be a coach from the NFL or a major program (maybe a position coach).

Davis is way too insulated from critical thought. The only person he probably uses as a sounding board for ideas is his wife.
For example, it would be nice if Davis could converse with someone who could look right at him and rattle off the reasons why NOT to run a shotgun spread.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

here here

w/o that defensive performance in the Shoe, and arguably a couple of defensive gems in the MNC, Texas would have fielded just another good team.

however, in response to some of the comments below: he never proved he could stop the option, and obviously having our secondary play so second rate for the ENTIRE season is frustrating.

Crystal Balls

by MMHorns on Nov 27, 2006 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ohio St

He gave us a defense to stop the Buckeyes last year but couldn't stop an option team, at his house, that he had ten days to prepare for this year. Where did the tenacity and scheme go?
His star fell quicker than anyone I can remember. Good luck to Gene.

by UTeed on Nov 27, 2006 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He did stop them

for most of the game. The 2 drives are what everyone focuses on. Even so, we had plenty of opportunities to win on offense and failed on every one of them. I blame the defense for K-State, but the offense for this one.

This team is not as bad off as some people would have us think. Losing to the Aggies is, in some ways, worse than losing to the Sooners. But we can't do anything about it now. Shit happens. There's no reason not to be excited about next year, and we still have one more to play. Let's just move on and kick some Aggie asses next year.

by boomhauer25 on Nov 27, 2006 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm excited about next year, no doubt

but I think UTeed raised a valid point. Chizik did indeed have 10 days to prepare for the option and we failed miserably trying to defend it when it counted (i.e. see all the third down conversions they got while running the option). While we held the Aggies to only 12 points, that number is a bit misleading. On the final scoring drive for them (the drive that ultimately determined the outcome of the game), our players, fans, etc. knew that all we needed to do was get a stop on that drive and we probably win the game. We were in the lead and with the crowd and the fired up players, I have to believe we would have won. Our defense didn't get the job done and we lost because of it. I know we can blame the offense for its ineptitude but this is when a well coached defense is supposed to step up, at home in front of 85,000 fans with the Big 12 South title on the line.

I think it has been agreed by the majority in this forum that you can't put the blame squarely on the shoulders of 18 and 19 year old kids. So who do we blame then? The coaches?

by Top Jimmy on Nov 27, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He didn't

That is like saying that we would have won if not for the Ags two scores. When your opponent is 10/13 on third down conversions and drives 85 yards in the fourth qtr. to win it is ridiculous to say we stopped them.

by UTeed on Nov 27, 2006 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Penalties killed the Ags all game. If not for inbred moronic cheap shots and cheating they would have put up 35 points.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 12:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

I completely understand what you're saying, UTeed. However, I just wanted to point out that the lack of offense was what frustrated me about Friday's game. No matter how you slice it, the Aggies scored twice and we scored once.

Chizik didn't do the best job in the world, but he's had worse. I'll criticize him for K State and criticize GD for this one, but there's still plenty to criticize here, too. Chizik isn't innocent here the way GD was in Manhattan.

One last thing: I thought your criticism was valid and the shot at pessimistic Horns fans wasn't aimed at you (only my response to your point about Chizik was). I just don't want this site to turn into a bunch of Chicken Littles when we lose (see a few other posts to see what I'm talking about). It's one thing that separates us from the Sooners.

by boomhauer25 on Nov 27, 2006 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not brain surgery

I only see a few who think the sky is falling. I think most around here believe Mack will do what it takes, just like he has the last two or three years, to put us in a position to win. What I do see is some people with some football knowledge who don't understand how we allowed a team with no better athletes than us to get to the corner consistently and get first downs. Our battle tested DEs were pushed around and our LBs continued their existence in the twilight zone. Scheme and effort? Probably both. That's just football talk. But you are right it is time for some positive thinking and put this behind us. Hook 'em

by UTeed on Nov 27, 2006 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the thing

http://www.burntorangenation.com/comments/2006/11/24/16104/354/1#1

Cyclone fans have been tracking flights into Ames, since there aren't many, and something was REALLY strange when the only flight out of the ordinary was Austin-Dallas-Ames. The fact that the interviews happened in Ames, and the fact that Pollard said he got his first choice made it not seem like Brian Kelly, and maybe Chizik.

by CrossCyed on Nov 27, 2006 10:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What?

How do you track flights in Iowa without electricity?

I'm sorry for the cheap shot. However, that's pretty crazy to me that ISU fans are tracking flights to determine whether the new coach is coming from. It's like ISU is basically a CIA training ground.

by Longhorn13 on Nov 27, 2006 10:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ohh well...

It's ISU fans. It's not too difficult, actually. Someone knew the tail number to ISU's private plane and a flight tracking website, and it went from there.

When I looked at the site this morning to see who was coming into Ames with the press conference today, it seemed weird that a plane owned by Troy Aikman would be coming in...

by CrossCyed on Nov 27, 2006 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

first choice

Don't all schools always get their first choice?

by UTeed on Nov 27, 2006 10:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Iowa State?

Think about it? Would a school like Iowa State normally get its first choice? We have a fairly decent basketball program, and we couldn't get jack shit after the Eustachy thing.

by CrossCyed on Nov 27, 2006 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

RUMOR

The replacement rumor is that Joe Kines from Alabama is already on his way to Austin.

They were 18th this season and 2nd overall the last two years.

If true, Mack has once again pulled off a coup among his coaching peers.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Another juicy tidbit

is Akina and others possibly leaving too, some with Chizik.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Davis

is interviewing for the HC job at Bama.

Have things gotten that bad for the Tide?

Akina is apparently Chizik's new DC.

Does this lend credence to rumors of Mack retiring early for medical reasons?

If even half the rumors are true -- and very few will be true, it seems like everyone is abandoning ship or at least making an attempt.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wow

wacky stuff.

where are you getting this information?

Crystal Balls

by MMHorns on Nov 27, 2006 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Random boards

and a friend who thinks he's in "the know".

To his credit 1 of the last 10 predictions have come true.

Kines from Bama is apparently really in Austin (Shula fired this morning and Mack considered him before, makes sense) and I'm pretty sure the Aknina rumor is true (also makes sense).

Davis could have saved himself the travel expenses to Bama, because I doubt U Bama Mobile would even hire him. (Davis interviews all the time, but never gets the job. Can the Davis defenders explain that one?)

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to second that request

This is ALOT of information. All of this is happening so fast, it would be nice to have something substantiated. This information probably won't have any tangible sources at this point and I'm not trying to criticize you. However, only a couple days after Thanksgiving and this comment thread has information about the futures of the top four -- and maybe more -- coaches at Texas when the day before, it seemed they were all staying.

by Longhorn13 on Nov 27, 2006 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coaches interviewing

isn't such a big deal.

Chizik and Akina are off to ISU, I think that its pretty much a given.

After that Davis will do his perenial job interview and then get turned down. He isn't going anywhere.

None of this is new to Mack.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I should say

this isn't new to Texas fans or fans of major college programs.

Coaches will tell everyone one day they aren't leaving, because as far as they know -- they aren't. The next day they get an offer, talk to their family and they leave.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Akina

I wouldn't say that with those two leaving that anyone is abandoning ship. Chizik was going to leave. He took a job, with all due respect to our Iowa St. friends, that he probably would not even have looked at last year. Akina has been passed over twice for DC and apparently it was about to happen again. I liked Duane's fire but never felt comfortable with him as a coach.

by UTeed on Nov 27, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Akina, Chizik and Davis

are either leaving or trying to leave that is quite a mass exodus.

Mack will survive, because his phone should be ringing off the hook with ambitious talent.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone catch this blurb on SI.com?

"Mack Brown's got a degree from Florida State. Once Bobby Bowden steps down, Florida State probably will at least check on Brown's interest."
-- Austin American-Statesman

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Nov 27, 2006 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Surely not

but, hey, anything's possible.

by Applewhite is my homeboy on Nov 27, 2006 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why not

He's won a title at Texas. The only direction he can go after that is down.

With the expectations of fans these days - regardless of school - is it any wonder coaches want to move around as much as they do?

At least they'd get to deal with a different set of arseholes every place they went.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
http://www.cornnation.com

by cornnation on Nov 27, 2006 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Guess I planted it

http://www.burntorangenation.com/comments/2006/10/24/91530/396/1#1

Still don't see it happening, but I hate thinking I might have sparked something.

by the usual suspects on Nov 27, 2006 9:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As my name would suggest

I am a huge proponent of pulling Major back into the fold and letting Mack groom him for the offensive coordinator job.

As far as Chizik goes: I liked him while he was here, but the new coach smell has worn off and he's proven unreliable, so it's time to ugrade to a newer version. I hope he gets Iowa State on track and helps strengthen the big 12, which would benefit Texas greatly. Happy Trails, Grizzly Gene.

by Applewhite is my homeboy on Nov 27, 2006 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs