Multiple questions involving the phrase "NCAA investigation" were thrown at Gene Chizik July 21, but they couldn't sway him from his cool, determined demeanor at SEC Media Day in Hoover.
"All of the outside innuendos, speculations, rumors, all those different things whether they be NCAA related or otherwise--it's just not a big part of what I concern myself with," Chizik said.
Nevertheless, the media still harped on certain situations ranging from Cam Newton to Destin, Fla., where a supposed heated argument took place between Chizik and NCAA vice president for enforcement, Julie Roe Lach.
"I said this many times; I feel great about where we are as a football program," Chizik said. "I sleep really good every night when my head hits the pillow."
Questions about last season's scandals took up a surprising amount of time despite the upcoming season being so close.
Chizik said he realizes the inexperience of his team, but that won't stop them from keeping the same goals Auburn always maintains.
"Make no mistake about it, the standard for Auburn University and the goals for Auburn University\0xAD\0xAD--no matter if we were going to play 22 freshmen--have not changed," Chizik said. "We graduate our players and win championships."
Philip Lutzenkirchen, junior tight end, offered positive outlooks on the way he believes the offense will perform this upcoming season without Heisman-winner Cam Newton.
"The thing about a Coach Malzahn's offense is that he'll play to our own strengths," Lutzenkirchen said. "Last year, with Cam at quarterback, we used him as a rusher. The year before, we were a play-action team first. We could go back to that. We'll just have to see this fall."
Moving forward from winning a national championship might be deemed difficult by many people, but Chizik said the Tigers took care of that quickly.
"I want to make this really, really clear; the minute our plane hit the ground in Montgomery on Jan. 11, we had moved on," Chizik said.
Emory Blake, junior wide receiver, said he realized the championship win was in the past when he began working out again.
"There's no looking back, just moving forward," Blake said.
Chizik said last year's team will serve as great inspiration for this season's team, but all players must look ahead and keep moving forward.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
