Race: The 'Number One Factor'?

who the hell cares !

The fact that race would be brought up in this issue is ridiculous. Chizik has been around the program and the SEC. Talent levels between Iowa State and Auburn are also on two different levels. I personally want somebody as a coach who has been around the bigger conferences and knows what it's like. As far as the 5-19 record, Mac Brown went 2-20 his first two years at Texas and nobody has any problems with him now. If anybody would look at what the players who have played for Chizik have said about him, they would see he was a GREAT choice for Auburn. Playing the race card here is just a reason to get some attention.

yes I believe it had to do with race

It is very hard to build a program in two years so his 5-19 record should not be taken into account but he did help lead Texas to a national championship as their defensive coordinator.

YES! This is still the good old south. The Law banning interracial in was overturned in the late 1990s are early 2000s in Alabama. When you are in a biracial marriage and go places you get that look!

I'm not sure if race was a factor or not. It does seem kind of odd that one of the powerhouses of the south would hire someone with such a poor record. But as a UB Alum, I know we're happy to have Gill and hope to keep him around for at least a few more conference titles!

Chris C.
Cumming GA

why would CNN give any credibility to Charles Barkley about anything he has to say on any subject other than basketball. He is a racist. Listening to him would be the equivalent of listening to the Grand Wizard of the KKK.I believe CNN needs to move away from these type of people and what they have to say about anything truly. quit playing their games.

how come when rush limbaugh says "its because he is black" he gets fired but when charles barkley says it he gets every persons brain turning? well , "is it because he is black."

Why is Auburn University a racist for not hiring a black?
Syracuse did not hire Turner Gill,they hired a white coach. Are they a racist school? Another point why didn't Nebraska hre Gill? He played football there. The university of Alabama did not Hire Coach Crooms who played for them and the great Paul Bryant. They hired Mike Shula a white man.
Charles Barkley is a wild man. Does not stop and think about what is saying. I think he has hurt the chances for blacks more than he knows.
I hope this will be read on the air. Lets have more than just Charles point of view.

Chizik went undefeated at Auburn. He understands what is required immediately to rectify the situation with the program. Perhaps his enthusiasm also led the decision makers to choose him over someone who seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Gill lost for 8 years versus Chizik's 2 years is another way to look at it.

We as a country need to quit making things a race issue. We now have a new president thyat earned the top spot, but the media and some people only want to talke about the fact that he's black. If auburn did bring race into the hiring process then shame on them. We need to get out of the dark ages and stop using race as an issue or an excuse!

Race is not a factor if chizik was a former coach with Auburn. I am unemployed now myself and I have lost the opportunity to work for a company ,even though I may have had better credentials than the other applicants. Other factors may have contributeded to the decision. We must keep plugging away at life, and not cry about every little thing that does'nt go our way.

Hi, we moved to Alabama last year from the West and everything here has to do with Race. My husband and I are white and educated, but we have bi-racial teenagers and never before had we witnessed or even felt racism, but it is very strong here. So I would have no doubt believing that Auburn officials would be above how this part of the country lives and believes. Which is about 40 years in the past.

Sir Charlie is always ready to play his race card when it suits him.Did O BAMA need his race card? No. If Sir Charlie is going to run for governor of Alabama he needs to pocket his race card!!!!!

For some historical context to this debate, HBO will be airing an excellent documentary tonight called "Breaking the Huddle". It explores the integration of the SEC and other football conferences during the Civil Rights Movement. If we don't know or acknowledge our history it's hard to make progress! I highly recommend it to your viewers.
-Jeff

Robin,
If Charles Barkley wants to run for Gov. of Alabama, he needs to be careful, about playing the race card, that was dead and buried when Obama was elected. The days of the race card are gone, sorry Charles.

By no means do I find ,Governor Barkley 's comments to be out of line.... for offering up an opinion that is heartfelt by a vast majority of those that would Love to see that an occasional morsel is dooled out in that pool of 119 (Head Coaching Positions) Slots – to a few individuals that resemble the same complexion as the bulk of the offense and defense takes keeps the ball moving back and forth! Then again....as you walk away from the field at Auburn U....you won't see many resemblances either!

I do think that the schools reasoning and decision making in this hiring was racially motivated. If you consider the two coaches records and the fact that producing a winning program should be the goal, it is very clear there were more factors involved in their decision. Although proving race played a part would be a hard task , as is with Bigotry in all walks of life. Until we the people of the United States stop acting like racial division do not exists and start making policies criminalizing it with enforcement this sad sad situation will only not only continue, but get progressively worst....................

I have been an Auburn Fan since i was three years old, my dad took me to games and was proud to wear the blue and orange even in the bad years, but this is too much. it is clear that Auburn is stuck in the Sixties. im a disgusted. there is no other way to put. i am a firefighter in north alabama and my job came down to my performance and resume and most coaching jobs do the same. Im black man married to a white woman and this information was not disclosed until after my hiring. Their was no need! I WILL NOT cheer for a team, buy their merchadise, or buy season tickets for a team that blantly has issues with race and refuses to think outside the box, or this case just do the right thing. Gill's record speaks for itself, in fact i have idea why doesn't Auburn dig up Gov. Wallace's corpse and stand him in front of the Auburn Admin. Building. Charles is right, Auburn is wrong, period.

I am amazed at how often I still see the race card being played. There are legitimate reasons not to hire out there for ALL peoples like a diabetic not being able to fly airliners, or a blind person being a police officer or a bus driver.

There isnt any room for the race card to be played in the 21st century! When will they give it up?

I think it did play a role, Auburn has hired a coach with a losing record, 10 straight at that. Turner Gil, just won the MAC Conference Championship, why wouldn't Auburn hire him, atleast he has a winning record to bring to Auburn.

I partially agree with Charles Barkley on his comments but I know for a fact there are African-American coaches at Auburn who are either married or dating inter-racially. So I don't know how much that had to play a role in the coach selection. I do understand that the head coaching position is in the spotlight so it is possible to be a factor because of who dominates the board and if you are from Auburn we all know who that is. We were all to see Tubberville fired.....Oh I mean resign and all of the controversy tied to this.

I go to Auburn Univesity as a student and I know that that is not how our morals are set. Also I think Charles is a little quick to jump and play the race card because he is being a sore loser.

I like football, however not a fanatic. I do know after living in the midwest for 10 years now, The right man for the job does require the right color!!!! There are many fans that believe Gill should have been head coach for Ne. but who ever over seas that plan of action either cannot see, or read , or maybe, I dont know isnt comfortable the a black man as a coach, you do the math. He has the strategy, the personal athlete experience, Of coarse im just a girl with alot of guy info, but Ive now heard this for 10 or so years, Its very white out here, I think it is hard for OLDER people to change who might be on certain boards.

How can you say that these two coaches resume's are the same? Chizik was a main staple in back to back National Championship Teams( Auburn and Texas). So Gill, won 8 games in the MAC Conference. That is FAR from the SEC. Not stating that Gill is not a good coach, but he has never been a part of a National Champ in a REAL CONFERENCE. AUburn expects to be in the SEC title hunt every year and National Championship discussion regularly. They have that creditability with Chizik that has been there not only with Auburn but the next year with Texas.

AS far as Charles Barkley goes, HE is always crying RACE. Get a new horse to ride Charles. You have become a one pony show. BY the way, weren't you the one that said in a locker room interview that, "This is why I hate F*****G WHITE PEOPLE." Then justifying it because someone was questioning you after a loss of a basketball game??? If anyone may have some racism in their closet, it may be Ole' Sir Charles . Why dont you call Tiger Woods out again for not being black enough.

Charles Barkley, it is a new day we have a A.A.President, Affirmitive Action, EOE. Im thinking we dont need you running around shooting off your mouth. We as a country are moving forward BUT Sir Charles wants to keep the past in the present. Without it he would have nothing to complain about. You have only been right one time in your career when you stated in your commercials, " I am not a Role Model" You are correct sir you are not and never will be. Go eat some more cheeseburgers, your an idiot.

I am sick and tired of people using race as an issue! The last presidential race wiped that out! Face it – if you don't get a job it means someone else was more qualified. Quit making issues that are not there.

Barkley should mind his own business and let the Auburn administration and athletic department determine what is best for the Auburn University athletic programs. Barkley is highlighting his own tacit racism.

I bet there is more to it. Like money, perks, terms and friends on the board. A lot of times they can bvring certain players with them etc. I think a diverse family should be a plus. Of course years ago I heard a prominant black man tell a group of young black kids that the white man was against him. I think maybe the same mentalitly is at work here. Maybe the man just sucked at the interview and didn't tell them what they were looking for.

So when do we let basketball players tell us whos best for a football position. Im mean come on Just because Barkley is black and said this has do with race everyone else is a expert. No let the Football People do what they do...making Football pick. Im a die hard Gator Fan and SEC fan and I think this is a great fit for Auburn since the guy has History there. Nothing to do with RACE...Get a Life Barkley!

I don't care what color a coach is, but how do you justify hiring a losing coach when there are many with better track records? I have to agree with Barkley on this one. Most of the time I simply ignor him but this time, I feel he has the right pulse.

i dont think race played a part in the hire

Being caucsian, I wish I a race card to play every time i did'nt get what i wanted.

YES, Turner Gill record speaks for himself compared to Coach Chizik . What a shame that this day & age it still exist .

I grew up in Auburn, Alabama and there is no doubt in my mind that the decision not to hire Turner Gill was a racial decision. People outside of the south do not understand how ingrained racism is within the south. I moved to Auburn in the late 80’s from the Midwest when I was 12 years old. This is a school that allowed local white fraternities to hold an “Old South Parade” where fraternity and sorority members dressed in civil war uniforms and antebellum dresses and marched along side floats that highlighted posters that read “Reward for Run Away Slave”. These parades were celebrated as heritage and pride in the history of AU. If that is the heritage and pride of AU, why would you expect this same university to hire a black man to head their prestigious football team? Not to mention that he would be the highest person paid not only at the University but within the city or Lee County. Do you think the clan members, that hold their meetings right after the home games down Hwy 29, are going to allow that to happen? I don’t think so. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am an Auburn fan, first because I know the pride of the people of Auburn and because I love the team and the sport. I love the fact that it is not just a celebration of the team or of the university but whether Auburn, wins or lose, everyone in that community are bound by that one thing that makes them happy. If you have never been to an Auburn game, it is an experience. It doesn’t stop at the end of the 4th, it continues on to Toomer’s where the oak trees are painted white with toilet tissue and everyone in jubilation. All of this is wonderful but unless you have been within the southeast and lived in that type of environment then you don’t know what Chuck is talking about and what he says is true.

You betcha, race was the number one factor in that decision. And Gill should have known better. His chances of getting that Head Coach job would have been greater if his wife had been black. At that point he would have taken the "who does this boy think he is off the table".

And as for Charles, I'm suprised that he talks the race card as much as he do being that his wife is white.

I am sure I am wasting my time sending this note. You will never cover this side of this story. You will consider it just a comment from another white Southerner who is a racist. Well you are wrong: Everybody in Alabama is not a racist. Some of us actually believe that a person should get where he gets in life by sheer hard work and honesty.
I want to comment on Charles Barkley's comment regarding the hiring of a white head football coachat Auburn University. I don't believe race played any part in the selection of the new head coach for Auburn. I don't agree with the selection because I am a Tuberville believer and because the board and president have fired a coach for not having a winning season and are hiring a coach with a worse season record. Does that make sense?

Mr. Barkley apparently hasn't been to a home football game at Auburn lately and apparently hasn't purchased a $5 Auburn Program book at a recent game. On pages 26-37 of the 2008 Auburn Football Illustrated each of the coaches are featured including photos of their families. Of the nine assistant coaches featured there three are black. One of them James Willis is pictured with his white wife.
Charles, if you are going to call all of us at Auburn racist, get your facts straight first.
I am an Auburn graduate holding two degrees from Auburn. My husband and I have been season ticket holders for 32 years.

We had 3 black assistants under Tuberville who had white wives.

You guys need to buy a clue.

Ding! Pavlov says hey to Atlanta!

When I was a kid, growing up in Weston, Connecticut, one of my teammates on the junior high varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball teams was named Lynn Marx. Lynn played center half on the soccer team, point guard on the basketball team, and was our starting pitcher and shortstop on the baseball team. He also threw a pretty good curve for a 15-year old.
Lynn was brought up in Tuskegee, Alabama, and his uncle was, at that time, Grand Dragon of the Alabama KKK. This was back in 1962, when George Wallace was governor down there. Now, I am not sure what a Grand Dragon is, but according to Lynn, it was a pretty major position in that particular hierarchy.
The point is that we did not let little details like this get in the way of our friendships or sports teams at the time. Like, no one really cared, basically. We also had black guys and Hispanic guys on the sports teams...our other guard, and the other starting pitcher, Mickey Mesa, was of Hispanic descent...to me, and my teammates, back in the day, it meant absolutely zero, up until the day Mickey and Lynn lost the Bedford High game 10-0. (I am saying this...Mickey and I later won the Connecticut state championship in soccer playing for Staples High, and Mickey was all-state at right wing, too)
I think you have to look at things from this perspective...to dudes sitting in a bar drinking beer, race in sports may mean something...to the kids down there actually playing the game, it is just about a zero, or less. Winning is the big thing. I mean, Iowa State has one of the toughest schedules in the country, unlike some SEC schools I could mention here, so, maybe they ought to give this guy four or five games before they start calling up the Shula family again, you know what I am saying here? James Carrow

Although I get tired of people playing the "race card," there are times it's necessary- like THIS TIME!

Charles Barkley this and that. Charles is the most out spoken man in the NBA. Who gives a rats butt about Charles and his position on anything. Charles do me a favor stick to what you know. Play you little ball games and leave the talking to people who know what they, ar talking about." It's becaus i am black is why they won't listen." NO Charles why people arn't listening to you is because the can't hear you. People already have enough people jabbering on and on about nothing. In concusion have a coke and a smile shut up.
My name is Wilson and that's my opinon.

Since when do we care what he says. And by the way, Nice job Barkley, I guess you felt it necessary to turn up the volume with the race card. This Country couldn't possibly have anything better to debate.

I am most confident that race was not a factor in any voting decisions by either the A.D. or the public at large(especially when you take into consideration the historic Presidential vote that just occured). Character is a factor. Within a program that has a burning desire to win it is preferable to have a leader that has a similiar drive versus won that will rest on his past laurels.

Good decision.

My guess is that all the people yelling "Stop playing the race card," are white. Sir Charles may not be the most credible person, but it doesn't mean he's wrong. We may never know why Chezik was hired over Gill, but that doesn't me it wasn't because of race. As long as there are different races, there will always be racism. Obama or not.

I wouldn't say it was race, but it is still a questionable issue being his resume isn't as grand as the other guy. But, nonetheless, the school makes the decisions, so who is Barkley to say what they do in their best interest? Has Barkley forgotten when he spat on a little girl? Or the thousands of dollars he spent and technicals he recieved for not being a team player, but a man with an ego. We can all bring up particular instances for anyone. Barkley should just stick to his golf game...which also needs a lot of work!

I hate when people play the race card, but it is Auburn, and it is in the south. No one will ever know, but ther r so many other ways to look at the situation. Charles is a hot head who speaks his mind. no problem with that, but maybe another angle besides race could have been discussed.

This article is distorting. "To be fair, he did work as a coordinator under Tuberville so he does have ties to the program." Oh yeah, you failed to mention that in his last year at Auburn, he was given the Broyles Award for top assistant coach in the nation. Auburn was undefeated that year. He then went to Texas, where they were undefeated and won an national championship.

He didn't do well at Iowa State, but to bring that up as his sole work, and then say it's clear he's a lesser coach than Gill is wrong.

I can't argue with the remark that Gill made about his interview. He was there, and in the best position to render an opinion. The plain fact that others are using many words to justify their comment(s), prove that deep down they really agree that race is an issue!

I agree with John (Dec.17), and futhermore I suggest that there is a type of weird reverse racism occurring because we have an African-American entering the "highest office in the land"....it would seem that many policy and decision makers around the country are trying to show that they "are not a racist" along with the average citizen....whether these are true feelings or just more condesending actions...it's your guess....

Yes. I do believe that race was a BIG factor in this hiring. This is a small number of "RACIAL" things that Auburn University continues to do this one just caused a BIGGER uproar because of it's relationship to the sports area. Auburn needs to stop and realizes how much spotlight they are putting on themselves by making "People" moves and not doing right for the programs on the campus for the betterment of all!

Personally, because I know of a lot of "undertable" deals that have in the past and continue to plague auburn university, I personally wouldn't spend one dime to attend any of it's sports no matter who coaches.

In closing, the Board of Directors are just as much to blame in this by continuing to let a public university be privately ran.

Keep watching, Auburn will loose in the end.

Auburn will be Auburn.

Craig- U couldnt have said it any better!! YOUR MY ROLE MODEL!!

i would just to put my too cents in on race" this is as you an everyone else know that all you need to do is just see a black person at any time makes no differances what job he has the filling is he is not suppose to have it because he is not the right color or he is not smart
enough. one thing i am sure of is prejudice is alive an an will always be alive.that you can bank on. i would hate to see everyone one the same color but thats a long story in itself so thats it as i see it. thank you.

This is another example of institutional discrimination. It shows that minorities are smart enough to play the game, however, they are not smart enough to play the game. Like all high positions, there is a fear of minorities occupying them because power would be reversed.

I would like to know what is the role of the united nations in the world because it remains silence when great countryies take actions against small countrries. I think that that orgazation is like red cross no thing more.

Sir Charles (?) will always have my admiration as one of the 50 best to ever have played roundball. There, however, the admiration stops. He is rivaled only by George Wallace for being the worst (biggest?) racist to come out of Alabama since the Civil War. His credibility on any subject besides roundball (and maybe football) is absolutely ZERO.

I am tired of hearing it is because i am black. As a white person i am tired of being blamed for the black communities problems. I am white and poor. The reason is I didnt take my education seriously, I have been less than industrious. That is the reason a lot of ppl are poor. In my experience blacks discriminate against whites on just as large a scale. I wonder how many white coaches are hired at your black universities. would be an interesting stat to throw in the mix. Oh yea , according to dusty baker ( former manager Cubs and black) blacks handle the heat better than whites. good thing he wasnt white , he would have been run out of baseball.

I think a portion of the remaining 350 billion bailout money should be
used to pay uninsured depositors and employees of failed banks whom some have lost their lifetime retirement .

Being an Alabama fan, I think this move was great for us. Tuberville was tough to beat and like him or not, you can not deny his talent as a head coach. As for who can follow him I think it should have been the best man for the job regardless of race, but I do not think that happened here. It is unheard of for a big school to hire someone with a record such as Chizik. When you look at the line up of coaches in the SEC, he is definately out of place. You can't help but wonder what they were thinking. They will probably lose a lot of potential recruits over this. I am from Alabama and race issues have come a long way, but some things still are sacred, such as head coach of Auburn. It's still the South. Didn't I hear similar racial accusations regarding Tennessee hiring practices recently?

When Football season starts we will see about the NEW coach.If he a Loser in his First season,fire his butt! and if he is a Winner,then give him a raise.There is no Color in Winning,because all of your Football players come from different back grounds and to be a Winner,you have to Work Together! That what CHANGE is All About.

When situations happen that involves race, there is probably a good chance that race is involved. Race is always going to be an issue as long as there are people of color.

Turner Gill has been a Winner in practically every aspect of his life. His success on the football field as a Player, Assistant Coach, Position Coach and Head Coach (at Univ of Buffalo) are indicative of his competitiveness and his competence. He carries with him a smart knowledge of what it takes to compete in a Big Time program like Auburn. That background and experience also gives him a recruiting edge in a very competitive SEC.

I can't say whether it was racism or just poor Executive decision-making, but if Chizik couldn't prove that he could win at Iowa State in the Big 12, I sure would question how he thinks things will be different at Auburn. If the Chizik decision doesn't work out for Auburn, I'd say both Chizk, as well as the AD are both gone.

I would have given Turner Gill the chance.

its definately race motivated. barkley isnt playing a race card. he is stating an observation. white people need to accept the fact that they are still extremely racist.

there is no reason, a school would choose a loser over a winner, other than because of race.

most of the white people that commented on here should be ashamed for either holding racist thoughts or for the fact that they condone and encourage racism, by allowing it to happen and by ignoring it.

Cool site, love the info.