Just four years after taking over as the head coach at Auburn, Gene Chizik was fired on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers struggled in 2012 as they went 0-8 in SEC play and finished just 3-9 overall. Auburn finished 116th in both points for and passing yards just two years after going a perfect 14-0 and winning a national championship.
Chizik was 19-19 in three seasons without former Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton and was just 7-17 in conference play. This season was the worst in school history since the Tigers went winless in 1950.
Chizik was 33-19 overall at the school. Chizik will receive more than $150,000 a month over the next four years if he does not accept another coaching position.
The following is an excerpt of the statement released by the former Tigers coach:
“I am very grateful for the opportunity that I had during the last four seasons to serve as the head football coach at Auburn University. I’m extremely disappointed with the way this season turned out and I apologize to the Auburn family and our team for what they have had to endure.”
The opening is the fourth this year in the SEC, joining Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
