HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Big bucks will go into replacing Auburn's head football coach. We're now 24 hours into the search for Gene Chizik's replacement.
Auburn fired Chizik Sunday after its worst season in decades. It'll cost Auburn a whopping $11-million to get rid of the football coaching staff, including Chizik, and reportedly nine of his assistant coaches.
Here's how Chizik's deal shakes out: The buyout is $7.5-million. That means Chizik will get about $202,000 for 37 months through the end of his contract.
It's important to point out, that's only if he is unable to find another job during that time. The contract does require him to use reasonable efforts to obtain other employment from a third party. The money Chizik makes will be subtracted from the amount Auburn owes him.
The fallout could also be felt on the recruiting trail. Some colleges many go after athletes who committed to Auburn as they deal with a coaching search.
A new coach may mean some recruits look to go elsewhere. In North Alabama, we have a pair that has verbally committed to play for the Tigers in 2013, and both are a part of the WAFF 48 Elite 11 Team.
Muscle Shoals senior Dee Liner and Huntsville High's Cameron Toney are a part of that solid Tiger recruiting class that is suppose to head to the Plains.
Liner has said all a long that his commitment to Auburn was solid, but has declined to talk about his decision until his season is over. His Trojans play this week in the semi-finals against McAdory.
What about nationally? This will be a tough one for the Tigers to try and navigate through to keep this class together. Jaquay Williams, a receiver who had already been wavering, de-committed Sunday.
Arshad Jackson, a talented tight end, visited Florida State for the Florida game, and many believe it will only be a matter of time before he makes the switch to FSU.
Until their names are on the dotted line, you can bet SEC schools will be after these kids to get them to change their minds, until Auburn gets a coach in place.
Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.
(Source: Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics)
