AUBURN, Ala. – Former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik will be a special guest analyst as part of ESPNU’s daylong Signing Day coverage on Feb. 6, ESPN announced Thursday.
Chizik and ex-Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, two of the four SEC coaches fired after the 2012 season, will share “insight into their experiences with the day last year and first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to recruit in a conference that has nine schools ranked in the Top 20 class rankings”, per the release.
Chizik oversaw the Nos. 16, 6, 2 and 8-ranked recruiting classes in the country by Scout.com during his four years on the Plains. Scout currently tabs Auburn No. 26 nationally under first-year coach Gus Malzahn.
According to his terminated contract, any income Chizik incurs from media or television appearances is automatically deducted from his $7.7 million buyout. Chizik was dismissed Nov. 25, one day after the conclusion of the Tigers’ dismal 3-9 season.
ESPN also released it will have live reporters on the scene on 13 campuses, including Auburn’s, which will have Paul Carcaterra conducting coach interviews and up-to-the-minute news while commitments fax in their signed letters of intent.
ESPNU’s coverage begins at 9 a.m. ET on Feb. 6.