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    Chizik, Coleman And Trott Represent Auburn At SEC Media Days Tigers field questions for more than two hours.
    Coach Chizik signs autographs Friday

    Coach Chizik signs autographs Friday

    July 24, 2009

    PHOTO GALLERY

    HOOVER, Ala. - Head coach Gene Chizik, senior defensive end Antonio Coleman and senior tight end Tommy Trott represented Auburn Friday at the Southeastern Conference Football Media Days in Hoover, Ala. The Tigers fielded questions from various media outlets for more than two hours during the final day of the three-day event.

    Chizik talked about how it felt to be back at Auburn as head coach after previously serving as the Tigers' defensive coordinator from 2002-04.

    "I'm excited to be back at Auburn," said Chizik. "Obviously, this is my second go round at Auburn. The last time I was at Auburn, I was blessed to be a part of an undefeated football season in 2004. That's the last memory I have of Auburn. It's a great memory. We'd like to try to get it back to that point. We're excited about doing that."

    Chizik also spoke about whether or not he felt pressure to succeed immediately.

    "When you get into this profession, there's pressure everywhere," said Chizik. "There's pressure from the fans. There's pressure from the media. I don't think there's any more pressure put on Auburn football than what I put on our kids and myself. We don't really pay a whole lot of attention to all of the external issues out there. We put enough pressure on ourselves to be great.

    "Every one of our coaches wants to be the best at their trade. I want to be the best at my trade. With that comes being self imposed pressure. So we set a foundation for what we want to do. That's our goal right now. We're setting a foundation for long term here at Auburn."

    Coleman was asked repeatedly about the differences he has observed with a new coaching staff in place led by Chizik.

    "Any time you have a coach for 10 years and then a new coaching staff comes in, there will be changes," said Coleman. "With all the changes, it's been great for the university. Fortunately, one Auburn man dropped off the radar, but the good Lord brought another Auburn man to us."

     

     

    Trott was asked several questions about the impact the new offense will have under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

    "The first impression's been great," said Trott. "We've been with him all through the spring and as much as possible since then, because he can't be out there in the summer. He's a football nut, football 24/7.

    "Hopefully with Coach Malzahn, we can establish an identity and figure out what we want to do as an offense. You look at what Coach Malzahn has done in his year at Arkansas and those years at Tulsa, and you know he's been successful everywhere he's been."

    The Tigers will open practice for the 2009 season on Aug. 5, and Fan Day Presented by Golden Flake will be held Aug. 16 from 2-4 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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