BIRMINGHAM, Ala. � The shine from the crystal trophy Auburn won in last season's national championship game hasn't lost its glow.
By Daniel Shirey, US Presswire
Auburn coach Gene Chizik was asked about the NCAA investigation into his program during his SEC media day press conference.
By Daniel Shirey, US Presswire
Auburn coach Gene Chizik was asked about the NCAA investigation into his program during his SEC media day press conference.
But as coach Gene Chizik embarks on his third season with the Tigers, some things have changed. Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is gone, as is All-America defensive tackle Nick Fairley and other valuable contributors from the 2010 title run.
Only a half-dozen starters return, and the Tigers are competing in a division, the SEC West, that will probably boast four other teams in the preseason top 25.
And to the consternation of many Tigers fans, one thing hasn't changed. The NCAA investigation into the recruitment of Newton, which shadowed the latter part of last season, continues.
Chizik had a well-documented exchange about the progress of the investigation with NCAA enforcement director Julie Roe Lach at last month's Southeastern Conference spring meetings. But he said several times Thursday at SEC media days that he "sleeps really good every night."
"It was a real simple question of process to Julie. To be honest, it was very informative. There were some clarifications that were made that had to do with the process. I was very appreciative we got some things cleared up, and I was able to be educated a little bit further in the questions that I had."
Chizik was asked about a Wednesday Alabama radio report that said the NCAA might have found a third-party operative who may have facilitated the Tigers' recruiting of Newton by funneling cash to Newton's father. The person who made the claim is Danny Sheridan, who lives in Mobile, Ala., and whose sports odds appear on usatoday.com.
"I'll make this real clear," Chizik said in response. "The NCAA, on more than one occasion, has said that Auburn has done nothing wrong in the recruitment of Cam Newton. Nothing's changed.
"(I) can't control everybody's microphone. Can't control everybody's opinion. Don't try to."
NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said she could not comment on an investigation.
Chizik can try to control what happens on the field, and when the 2011 season starts Sept. 3 vs. Utah State, there will be new names and faces to get used to.
Key returnees include tailback Michael Dyer, offensive MVP of the national title win against Oregon; tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen; receiver Emory Blake; and defensive tackle Nosa Eguae. The quarterback competition to replace Newton is between returnees Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley, with highly touted freshman Kiehl Frazier likely to be heard from.
Although there are holes to fill all over the depth chart, Lutzenkirchen pointed out that a year ago at this time, few people were listing Auburn as a title contender.
"Like last year, people are underestimating us and not giving us a chance," he said. "So we're not in the spotlight as much, but that's the way we'd rather be. We'd rather prove everyone wrong. It gives us a lot more motivation. We have the same mentality as last year. We expect to get to the Georgia Dome (for the SEC title game).
"I don't think there's ever going to be another Cameron Newton in college football, He did things that were freakish, but we're going to go back to what we do: Pick the best players that are going to give us the best opportunity to win. ? One person doesn't make our team. Players graduate. Players leave. Tradition doesn't."
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