DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Charles "The Idiot" Barkley plays the race card against Auburn

Lobbying for Gill, alum Barkley says Auburn should have hired black coach
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: December 15, 2008, 12:57 PM ET

Former Auburn and NBA star Charles Barkley ripped his alma mater on Monday, saying the only reason the Tigers did not hire Buffalo's Turner Gill as the school's new football coach is because Gill is black.




You can say it's not about race, but you can't compare the two resumes and say [Chizik] deserved the job. Out of all the coaches they interviewed, Chizik probably had the worst resume.
-- Charles Barkley

Auburn on Saturday hired Iowa State's Gene Chizik, who had a 5-19 record in two seasons with the Cyclones. Chizik was the defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2004, when the Tigers finished 13-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country.


Chizik replaces former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who won 85 games in 10 seasons but was forced to resign earlier this month.

"I think race was the No. 1 factor," said Barkley, who played basketball for three seasons at Auburn during the early 1980s. "You can say it's not about race, but you can't compare the two resumes and say [Chizik] deserved the job. Out of all the coaches they interviewed, Chizik probably had the worst resume."

Gill, a former Nebraska quarterback, took over one of the country's worst programs at Buffalo three years ago. He guided the Bulls to an 8-5 record and their first MAC championship this season, upsetting previously unbeaten Ball State 42-24 in the Dec. 5 conference championship game.

Schlabach: Wrong answer
Auburn needed to think outside the box in its coaching search. But hiring Gene Chizik, 5-19 in two years at Iowa State, isn't the answer, Mark Schlabach writes. Story
The Bulls won 10 games in their first seven seasons at the Division I-A level. Gill guided Buffalo to 13 victories during the last two seasons combined.


"I'm just very disappointed," Barkley said. "I just thought Turner Gill would be the perfect choice for two reasons: He's a terrific coach and we needed to make a splash. I thought we had to do something spectacular to bring attention to the program. Clearly, if we'd hired a black coach, it would have created a buzz."

Barkley, who works as an NBA analyst for Turner Network Television, said he spoke with Gill before Gill interviewed with Auburn officials last week.

"We talked about the whole race thing in Alabama," Barkley said. "I told him it's there and it's going to be anywhere you go. I told him you can't not take the job because of racism. He was worried about being nothing more than a token interview. He was concerned about having a white wife. It's just very disappointing to me."

Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medal winner, said he served on Auburn's search committee for a new basketball coach after the 2003-04 season. Barkley said he told Auburn officials he would serve on the committee only if the school was ready to hire a black coach.

Barkley said he presented three African-American candidates for consideration: former Indiana coach Mike Davis, then-Virginia Commonwealth coach Jeff Capel and then-UAB coach Mike Anderson.

Barkley said all three candidates wanted to coach at Auburn. Instead, the Tigers hired then-Chattanooga coach Jeff Lebo, a white candidate. Lebo has a 61-68 record in his fifth season at Auburn.

Barkley said he was removed from Auburn's search committee before Lebo was hired.

"Out of all the basketball coaches they interviewed, they picked the only one who hadn't been to the NCAA tournament," Barkley said.

There are only four African-American coaches among 119 programs in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision. Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley was hired as New Mexico's coach last week; the others are Gill, Miami's Randy Shannon and Houston's Kevin Sumlin.

Two African-American coaches, Washington's Tyrone Willingham and Kansas State's Ron Prince, were fired during the 2008 season, and Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom resigned.

Barkley said he wanted Gill to become Auburn's coach because Auburn is a school where an African-American coach could be successful.

"My biggest problem with the black coaches is they're not getting jobs and they're getting [expletive] jobs when they are hired," Barkley said. "They're not getting good jobs. They're not getting jobs where they can be successful. That's why I wanted Turner to get the Auburn job. He could win consistently at Auburn. You can't win consistently at New Mexico. You can't win consistently at Kansas State. He could have won at Auburn."


This is just further proof that people in the media aren't there because they are smart. They are there because they're interesting.

Like he said........he ain't no role model.

I wonder if it's ever occured to these idiots that they actually perpetuate racism when they do this crap...........

I'm not impressed with any of these candidates. Barkley is barking again. There is probably SOME truth to what he said about racism at Auburn but not in regards to this choice...they went with a guy who knows Auburn.

Turrible.

Considering Chizik's resume and Charles's comments how is Charles wrong here? Race may not have been the deciding factor but looking at Chizik's record certainly makes me wonder. And I'm white as the driven snow.

Isn't driven on snow dirty and slushy?

maybe Chizik had a great interview and they bought him as thier next coach.

What you say may be true. But I can see why Barkley said what he did and why he thinks what he thinks. Especially since Chizik probably doesn't get another HC offer if not for Auburn.

Florida - I am a little dirty and slushy as well.......

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What you say may be true. But I can see why Barkley said what he did and why he thinks what he thinks. Especially since Chizik probably doesn't get another HC offer if not for Auburn.

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I don't, I think it was very unprofessional of Barkley to make those comments unless he has some proof that the Auburn hired based on race.

And just exactly how would he (or anyone) prove that? Unless Auburn was stupid enough to type up a memo saying "We hired Chizik to avoid hiring Turner Gill because he's black" something like this will never be "proven". (I know it's pretty much the first thing I thought of when I read it).

But it doesn't mean a lot of people aren't thinking it. Hell, according to some published reports at least one SEC coach laughed when he heard of the hiring and said something along the lines of "Nick Saban will eat his lunch".

Doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement of Chizik's ability to me. So it may not be proven to your satisfaction but it doesn't mean it's not a possibility.

Well you can think it all you want but making comments like "I think race was the #1 factor" with out any proof is unprofessional and can really hurt Auburn in recruiting when other coaches and scouts perhaps remind recruits of Barkley's comments if they are thinking of going to Auburn.

He doesn't know the truth and just as race COULD have driven the decision many other things also COULD have including the Auburn officials liked Chizik's interview and his resume PRIOR to Iowa State.

I live here in Alabama, and I was shocked when Auburn hired Chizik. If he didn't have a decent year at Iowa State in 09, he would've been fired. Nick Saban owns alabmama as far as recruiting. To get rid of a proven winner in Tubbs for a proven loser in Chizik, is mind boggling to say the least. When Tubbs got fired, I thought they would get a household name that could recruit against saban.

Well you can think it all you want but making comments like "I think race was the #1 factor" with out any proof is unprofessional and can really hurt Auburn in recruiting

Again, this YOUR opinion. That doesn't make it right or wrong. It does mean we disagree.

What is true is that no one mentioned Chizik as a realistic possibility before he was hired. That pretty much says it all, IMO.

The real question is, if Chizik has Auburn in the top 10 in 2 or 3 years will Barkley admit he might have been wrong.....


Don't think so.

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Again, this YOUR opinion. That doesn't make it right or wrong. It does mean we disagree.

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So your saying people walking around calling people racist with out a shred of proof is completly professional and in your eyes is ok?

Barkley said that they needed to STOP listening to the "Rednecks"??


Hello? Does anyone else think that it's self is RACIST?

I do!

So he is basically saying, hire the black guy, stop being racist and stop listening to the dumb white rednecks????

Idiot.

What I am saying is that I can see why a black man would feel this way. Especially since I thought virtually the same thing when I read about the hiring and I'm white and not an Auburn grad.

Aside from that, you do realize that not everyone will agree with your opinion (or mine) and that is perfectly alright, right? If not, nothing I can say will sooth your irrational anger.

1) I'm pretty calm and just carrying on a discussion. I see nothing that I have said or commented on to be irrational.

2) There is a huge difference between me and you talking about it and a person in the Position of Charles Barkley who says some thing and it will be printed into the press. That's why I called it unprofessional. I don't have a problem with you and Charles having those feeling. I just think the way Charles went about expressing them was "Unprofessional".

His comments are damaging to the University's image and character when he has no grounds on his accusations. That's what you would call Slander or actually in this sense it's called libel because it the comment was made in the media.

You know Trella,
People forget that you need a name that will get the recruits. Now, getting rid of tuberville for Chizik makes no sense other than Auburn wanted Tuberville gone the last 5 years. But when you look at the records, Gill did a better coaching job. But usually, the Alumni want someone who is from the school. Chizik gets the nod in that respect. Did race play a factor, maybe, but they for sure did not look at the records.

Look I'm not going to play the race card but Tuner Gill was/is the more talented coach..I mean come on...he made BUFFALO MAC Champions....that's a freaking miracle in my book.

Loki,
I'm not saying that race maybe did not play a part. BUT usually once someone is known by the alumni, that person would have the upper hand. Now, yes, Gill had the better record and turned Buffalo into a winner but usually big schools HAVE to answer the Alumni and major contributors. IF anyone of them have a race problem, then Gill was not going to get hired.

Yes, but you, nor I, nor Charles Barkley can prove it. And by Auburn bringing a guy in who used to coach there, they get cover for their possible race problem!

My question is "how many candidates were in the running?" My next question would be "Who are the others?"

If there were other white guys in the running with good records I think that would hurt Sir Charles argument. Auburn also is well known for not wanting to hire anyone from outside the program. I'm not going to say race had anything to do with it. I will say that Auburn made a stupid decision.

So I suppose Syracuse is racist too then.. they offered the job to Skip Holtz who declined, spurned Gill, then they hired Marrone who has a couple years as an OC in the NFL for a team that made the playoffs once in 3 years and beyond that, he has never been more than a position coach... but he played at Syracuse...

So Chizik has roots at Auburn... maybe Gill should wait for the Nebraska job to open up...

Maybe Auburn sees that he won the MAC but he really only went 8-5 or something like that... and he gave up 27 points per game.. maybe they want a better defense...

We will never know if race played a part or not but for Charles to say so, without anything but his own gut to back it up, is irresponsible.... there are other contributing factors that Chuck isn't considering....

Loki,

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But that doesn't change the fact IMO that the better qualified person didn't get hired. Look how many points his D gave up? I mean if not race then what. Maybe Barkely is telling the truth?

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If you look at their records, then yes, the better candidate did not get hired. But in college sports, its about recruiting, getting alumni support and winning. Now we will see if Chitzik can recruit. And the alumni MIGHT have had a problem with Gill. MIGHT! - ( one thing is for sure, USA TODAY did a article a few years back on the big donors for each school, the guy at Auburn was into banking and sat on some Boards with the then Gov of Alabama. You BETTER be liked by him FIRST, then the college Pres, who will sell you too the rest of the Alums). Now am I saying race might have played a part, maybe but no one can say for sure because no one is going to talk!

As far as ND, my problem with them is that, if they wanted Weiss, then fine, they did not have to trash Willingham's reputation as they did!! Now that Charlie is not winning, look at how stupid ND looks not for the hire but for the lame excuses they would not even THINK about using for Willingham.

im so tired of hearing race be an issue everytime there is a white guy and a black guy trying to get the same job....they picked who they wanted for the job....it dont matter what color his skin may be. the only reason racism still exsist is because people wont let it got.....

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The last time he was at Auburn in 2004, with some talent, he gave up 11.3... then he was the DC of Texas's national championship team..

I've read both resumes now and I don't see where Gill is any kind of a lock... His whole claim to fame is that he has had 2 decent seasons at Buffalo..... Chizik has a pretty darn good resume, aside from his 2 seasons as head coach of the worst team in the best conference in America...

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Thanks DC, I've been trying to say the same thing. I take nothing away from Gill and what he did at Buffalo is a great accomplishment but it was not an impossible job.

Trying to turn Iowa State into a contender in the Big 12 is an impossible job. Hell they can't even out recruit Iowa let alone the teams in thier confrence. You can bring Pete Carrol into Iowa State they would still be a bottom feeder.

In it's 116 year history Iowa State has 2 confrence titles (0 Big 12 titles) and 0 National Titles. This year the Big 12 is the best confrence. Last year I'd say it was the Second best behind the SEC. Trying to compete in the Big 12 the last two years is not the same as compeating in the MAC.

Didn't Barkley make similar comments a few years ago about a basketball coach hire or something?

I know he wanted a Black coach on the Auburn Basketball Team but I don't remember who was hired and what he felt after that hire.

Isn't Barkley the guy that spit on a little girl? Why are we even reading about what this moron said? And besides, wasn't all this crap supposed to stop when we elected "The Obama"?

DCDAWGFAN,
You are not going to TRY to say Chizik had a comparible resume when he went 2-19 in two years! Yes, as a D-coord, he has some good sucess but when he WAS THE MAN, he did not get it done! Yes, Iowa State, big-12 is different than MAC/buffalo! BUT that also means you have access to more talent. Chizik did not get the job done at Iowa State. Gill has took a college that has done NOTHING in years and turned the program around. I might not say that race played a factor but the record (2-19) speaks for itself!!

FreeAgent,
You and DC need to stop grading on a curve!! Recruiting at Iowa State is better than recruiting at Buffalo!! You have access to more money, facilities and a larger Alumni base at Iowa state and Buffalo! 2-19 does not mean you were getting the job done, period!!

Competition is different and usually I do not grade coaches until year 5 of their tenure. Chizik coached at Auburn and that usually gives you a leg up. But if he could not recruit at Iowa State, how is he going to get it done at Auburn?? Resume for Resume, I might take Gill, but for knowing the Auburn people, I can see how Chizik got the job but it was not BASED on his performance has a head coach!!

Toad,
Gill was a QB and WR coach at Nebraska back starting in the 90s.Gill's team got better each year he coached. As far as not having a chance at winning, oh, I guess Buffalo has greater facilities than Iowa State?? Please!

But if you read my previous posts, even I stated that his relationship with Auburn gives him a slight edge. Can I or Chuck or anyone say that race was a factor, No!. But others cannot say it was not. Now 2-19, does not give tell anyone that he is a better coach than Gill!!

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You are not going to TRY to say Chizik had a comparible resume when he went 2-19 in two years!

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No, I'm not going to try to tell you that.. I'm just going to tell you... Gill got into coaching 19 years ago, about 13 of those years he was a college QB coach.. he was so good at it that he got out of coaching for a year and did player development for the Packers on matters of community involvement, financial planning, etc.. then he was hired by Buffalo where he had a year or two of success in the MAC....

Chizik has about the same amount of time in coaching and was a defensive position coach for a quite a while, as the DC at Auburn for 3 years, in 2 of those years he had the 5th ranked defense in the nation in the toughest conference around. Then he went to Texas as the DC and they won the national championship. Then to Iowa State.

So if you think 2 years of relative success as the HC at Buffalo is that much greater than Chizik's success in the SEC and Big 12 as a DC, then so be it.. But when I heard the comments I wasn't familiar with either guy, I just assumed that Gill's resume must be head and shoulders better.. and to be honest, I'm not seeing it.

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Yes, Iowa State, big-12 is different than MAC/buffalo! BUT that also means you have access to more talent.

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Not really, when you think of football talent, do you think of Iowa State? If anything, the guys he's recruiting have far more and better options than somebody being recruited by Buffalo.

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Chizik did not get the job done at Iowa State. Gill has took a college that has done NOTHING in years and turned the program around.

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He won the MAC one time going 8-5.. that hardly qualifies as building a dynasty. Both have had 2 or 3 years at their respective colleges.. Gill has outperformed him for 2 years, Chizik did a lot more than Gill for the 8 before that... Is Gill the better coach? I don't know but what I do know after reading up on it, is that there is no "obvious" bias which can be attributed to race...

oh