AUBURN, Ala. — No new head coach in place yet. But memories of the old one are starting to leave the Auburn athletic complex.
Gene Chizik pictures which have adorned the walls of the facility’s lobby, lounge and entry-ways, have been removed eight days after Chizik was fired for overseeing the Tigers’ 3-9 football season. A mural of Chizik raising the 2011 BCS National Championship trophy had covered the main elevator, which has now been scraped off.
Other framed images of Chizik leading the Tigers onto the home field, and being showered by a Gatorade bath and embracing tailback Onterio McCalebb following the title victory, are also gone. They’ve been replaced by posed photos of Jordan-Hare Stadium and one of the university’s War Eagles.
One photo remained as of 11:30 a.m. Monday: a vertical shot of that Gatorade bath ensconced within glass artwork, overlooking a team lounge outside recruiting and athletic offices.
There is also a large ‘Two Men and a Truck’ moving van outside the front doors.
AL.com reported Monday the search committee has moved to Nashville, the home of committee member Mack Crawford to further discuss candidates. Arkansas State’s Gus Malzahn, Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher, TCU’s Gary Patterson, Louisville’s Charlie Strong, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino continue to make up the rumored short list.