View source for Gene Chizik

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1961)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Gene Chizik
| image = Gene Chizik - 2018 SEC Summerfest.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Chizik at [[Centennial Olympic Park]], 2018
| current_title = 
| current_team = 
| current_conference = 
| current_record = 
| contract = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|12|28}}
| birth_place = [[Tarpon Springs, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| alma_mater = 
| player_years1 = 1981
| player_team1 = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]]
| player_positions = [[Linebacker]]
| coach_years1 = 1986–1987
| coach_team1 = [[Seminole High School (Pinellas County, Florida)|Seminole HS (FL)]] ([[Defensive coordinator|DC]]/LB)
| coach_years2 = 1988–1989
| coach_team2 = [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]] ([[Graduate Assistant|GA]]/OLB)
| coach_years3 = 1990–1991
| coach_team3 = [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee]] (DE)
| coach_years4 = 1992–1994
| coach_team4 = [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin]] (LB)
| coach_years5 = 1995
| coach_team5 = Stephen F. Austin (DB)
| coach_years6 = 1996–1997
| coach_team6 = Stephen F. Austin (DC/DB)
| coach_years7 = 1998
| coach_team7 = [[UCF Knights football|UCF]] (DC/LB)
| coach_years8 = 1999–2001
| coach_team8 = UCF (DC/DB)
| coach_years9 = 2002–2004
| coach_team9 = [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] (DC/DB)
| coach_years10 = 2005–2006
| coach_team10 = [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] (co-DC/AHC/LB)
| coach_years11 = 2007–2008
| coach_team11 = [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]]
| coach_years12 = 2009–2012
| coach_team12 = Auburn
| coach_years13 = 2015–2016
| coach_team13 = [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]] (DC)
| coach_years14 = 2022–2023
| coach_team14 = North Carolina (AHC/DC)
| overall_record = 38–38
| bowl_record = 3–0
| tournament_record = 
| championships = 1 [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National]] (2010)<br />1 [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] (2010)<br />1 SEC West Division (2010)
| awards = [[Broyles Award]] (2004)<br />[[Home Depot Coach of the Year Award|Home Depot Coach of the Year]] (2010)<br />[[Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award]] (2010)<br />[[Paul "Bear" Bryant Award]] (2010)<br />[[Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award]] (2010)<br />[[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|SEC Coach of the Year]] (2010)
| coaching_records = 
}}
'''Eugene C. Chizik Jr.'''<ref name="Longtime Largo High principal dies at 80">{{cite web|last=Cosdon|first=Christina K.|title=Longtime Largo High principal dies at 80|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/05/21/longtime-largo-high-principal-dies-at-80/|work=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=December 13, 2020|date=May 21, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020817191249/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/05/21/NorthPinellas/Longtime_Largo_High_p.shtml|archive-date=August 17, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> (born December 28, 1961) is an [[American football]] coach who was most recently the defensive coordinator and Assistant Head Coach for Defense at [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goheels.com/news/2022/1/8/carolina-football-adds-chizik-warren-to-defensive-staff.aspx|title=Carolina Football Adds Chizik, Warren To Defensive Staff|website=GoHeels.com|date=January 8, 2022|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Adelson |first1=Andrea |title=Gene Chizik won't return as North Carolina defensive coordinator |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39234648/gene-chizik-return-north-carolina-defensive-coordinator |website=ESPN.com |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref> A veteran of the coaching ranks, Chizik previously was UNC's [[defensive coordinator]] for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and served as the head coach of the [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] football team from 2009 until the end of the 2012 season.<ref name="auburn hire">{{cite web|url=http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121308aab.html|title=Gene Chizik Named Auburn Head Football Coach|publisher=[[Auburn University]]|access-date=December 14, 2008}}</ref> Chizik's [[2010 Auburn Tigers football team]] completed a 14–0 season with a victory over [[2010 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]] in the [[2011 BCS National Championship Game|BCS National Championship Game]], and [[quarterback]] [[Cam Newton]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]]. Chizik played [[college football]] at the [[Florida Gators football|University of Florida]] in 1981 for head coach [[Charley Pell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://auburntigers.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Chizik.pdf|title=Gene Chizik biographical information|publisher=Auburn University Athletic Media Relations|date=December 13, 2008|access-date=December 16, 2008}}</ref>

==Early life==
Chizik was born in [[Florida]]. Chizik earned a bachelor's degree in education from the [[University of Florida]] in 1986, and received a master's degree in guidance and counseling from [[Clemson University]] in 1991.<ref name=press121408/>

==Coaching career==
===Early years===
Chizik began his coaching career at [[Seminole High School (Pinellas County, Florida)|Seminole High School]], serving as their [[defensive coordinator]] and inside linebacker coach from 1986 to 1988. He then became a graduate assistant at [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]] from 1988 to 1989, working with the outside linebackers. During his time at Clemson he coached in the 1988 [[Citrus Bowl]] and the 1989 [[Gator Bowl]], under secondary coach [[Bill Oliver (American football)|Bill Oliver]].<ref>[http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1229422512112490.xml&coll=3&thispage=1 'The right guy:' Former coaches, players say Chizik is up to the challenge at Auburn] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006002115/http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/mobileregister/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1229422512112490.xml&coll=3&thispage=1 |date=October 6, 2012 }}. al.com (December 16, 2008). Retrieved on 2012-11-25.</ref>

His initial full-time coaching job was as the [[defensive end]]s coach at [[Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee State]] from 1990 to 1991. In 1990, the Blue Raiders won the [[Ohio Valley Conference]] championship. His next assignment was at [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin State University]], serving as their linebackers coach from 1992 to 1995. SFA advanced to the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|Division I-AA semifinals]] in 1995.<ref name=press121408/> He was then promoted to the defensive coordinator role, which he held from 1996 to 1997. He then served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the [[UCF Knights football|UCF Knights]] from 1998 to 2001.

While at UCF in [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], Chizik frequently visited practice sessions of the NFL's [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] studying the team's defensive scheme developed by then-Buccaneers head coach [[Tony Dungy]], defensive coordinator [[Monte Kiffin]] and linebackers coach [[Lovie Smith]].<ref>Brown, Chip (August 28, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080122050652/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/misc/weekend/stories/082805dnspoutlede.2bf54e9.html Defensive pursuit: Chizik getting UT's defense up to speed]. Dallas News</ref>

Chizik later employed a very similar scheme at [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]], where he served again as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 2002 to 2004. During this time, he had some of the greatest successes of his career to date. He coached in three [[bowl game]]s, the 2003 [[Capital One Bowl]], 2004 [[Music City Bowl]], and 2005 [[Sugar Bowl]]. His 2004 defensive unit led the country in scoring defense, giving up 11.3 points per game, and the total defense ranked 5th, which is the same ranking the 2003 team recorded.<ref name=Opelika121308>{{cite news|url=http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/sports/college/auburn/article/time_will_tell_if_auburn_made_the_right_choice/51026/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110809032845/http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/sports/college/auburn/article/time_will_tell_if_auburn_made_the_right_choice/51026/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 9, 2011|title=Time will tell if Auburn made the right choice}}</ref> He garnered the 2004 [[Broyles Award]], which is given each year to the top assistant coach in the nation. The [[2004 Auburn Tigers football team]] finished 13–0 that year, won the SEC title, and defeated [[Virginia Tech Hokies football|Virginia Tech]] in the [[2005 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]]. It placed second in the final [[AP Poll|AP]] and [[Coaches Poll|Coaches]] polls.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings?seasonYear=2004 2012 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 14 – ESPN]. Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved on November 25, 2012.</ref>

In 2005, Chizik was hired by [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] to serve as their co-defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and linebackers coach.<ref name="Chizik1">{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/28/Sports/Longhorns.Lose.Defensive.Coordinator-2509551.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com |title=Longhorns lose defensive coordinator |publisher=The Daily Texan |author=Killian, Ryan |date=November 28, 2006 |access-date=March 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220153/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/28/Sports/Longhorns.Lose.Defensive.Coordinator-2509551.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> During his time at Texas, the team won the 2005 [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship]] by defeating [[USC Trojans football|USC]] in the [[2006 Rose Bowl]].

===Iowa State===
In November 2006, Chizik was hired to replace outgoing coach [[Dan McCarney]] as head football coach of [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]]. McCarney resigned after going 4–8 in his final season, despite five bowl appearances during his tenure, the most of any Iowa State coach at that time. Chizik's contract with ISU was a six-year deal worth a guaranteed $6.75 million. With incentives, the total had the potential to be more than $10 million.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Cyclones.com | url=http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48323&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=696625 | title=Gene Chizik Named ISU Football Coach | access-date=November 28, 2006 | date=November 27, 2006}}</ref> In Chizik's first season, Iowa State finished 3–9, including a 15–13 upset victory over Iowa, and back-to-back wins against Kansas State and Colorado. The Cyclones also experienced a notable improvement on defense. In the year prior to Chizik's arrival, Iowa State was ranked 102nd nationally in total defense<ref>{{cite web | publisher=NCAA | url=http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2006&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org | title=2006 FBS National Team Rank – Total Defense | access-date=December 26, 2008 | date=January 7, 2007}}</ref> and in Chizik's first year, they improved to 65th.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=NCAA | url=http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org | title=2007 FBS National Team Rank – Total Defense | access-date=December 26, 2008 | date=January 7, 2007}}</ref>

In 2008, Iowa State won their first two games against South Dakota State and Kent State before losing their final 10 games to finish the season 2–10. Among all 119 [[Division I FBS]] teams, the team ranked 111th in total defense, 115th in passing defense, and 95th in rushing defense.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120731060750/http://www.cullmantimes.com/localsports/local_story_349000845.html FANS SURPRISED » Top Sports » CullmanTimes.com – Cullman, Alabama]. CullmanTimes.com. Retrieved on November 25, 2012.</ref> Following the 2008 season, Chizik fired two assistant coaches and demoted both his offensive and defensive coordinators. Chizik's name came up frequently as a coach who would be on the hot seat for the following season, though all acknowledged the difficulty of the job given the lack of resources and difficult schedule.<ref>[http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=493605 Real Insight. Real Fans. Real Conversations] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205234822/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=493605 |date=December 5, 2008 }}. Sporting News. Retrieved on November 25, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Beaton, Kelly|url=http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/11/28/sports/isu/football/10801307.txt |title=Cyclones hope growth pains over |publisher=Wcfcourier.com |date=November 28, 2008 |access-date=October 12, 2010}}</ref>

===Auburn===
On December 13, 2008, Auburn University hired Chizik to succeed former head coach [[Tommy Tuberville]], who resigned from the position after finishing 5–7 in the 2008 season.<ref>Dienhart, Tom (December 13, 2008). [http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=888957 Iowa State's Chizik to take over at Auburn] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214133703/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=888957 |date=December 14, 2008 }}. collegefootball.rivals.com</ref> Auburn athletic director [[Jay Jacobs (athletics director)|Jay Jacobs]] released a statement that said: "I know that we have found the right fit for Auburn. Gene's body of work during his 23 years in this profession is remarkable. He has a strong knowledge of this athletics program, this university and the community, and he knows how to be successful in the Southeastern Conference. He is a high-energy coach that is an outstanding motivator and demands a tough, physical style of football."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://auburn.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=889073&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid= |title=Auburn announces Chizik as head coach |publisher= AuburnSports.com |date= December 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kcci.com/sports/18276877/detail.html Chizik's Response On Taking Auburn Job | KCCI Home – KCCI Home] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307191343/http://www.kcci.com/sports/18276877/detail.html |date=March 7, 2012 }}. Kcci.com (December 14, 2008). Retrieved on 2012-11-25.</ref>

Chizik first retained [[James Willis (American football)|James Willis]] to continue coaching linebackers. However, less than one month later, Willis left Auburn to coach for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|University of Alabama]]. [[Ted Roof]] eventually replaced Willis and served as Auburn's linebacker coach and defensive coordinator. Roof had previously been the defensive coordinator at Minnesota before coming to Auburn. Chizik hired [[Gus Malzahn]] as his offensive coordinator. Malzahn enjoyed the nation's top offense at Tulsa the previous two seasons. He subsequently hired [[Curtis Luper]] and [[Trooper Taylor]], both of whom were coaching at [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]], to coach running backs and wide receivers. Chizik also brought [[Jay Boulware]] from his ISU staff to be the special teams coordinator and hired former Auburn player [[Tracy Rocker]] away from Arkansas to coach the defensive line. The final hire was UNC linebackers coach [[Tommy Thigpen]] as safeties coach.

Chizik's incentive-laden contract at Auburn was for five years with a salary of approximately [[USD|$]]1.9 million per year, an $800,000 increase from his Iowa State contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jaygtate.blogspot.com/2009/09/we-have-contracts.html|title=We have contracts|last=Tate|first=Jay|publisher=The Hottest Auburn Blog on The Net|access-date=September 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-09-08/auburn-coach-chizik-make-19m-plus-incentives|title=Auburn coach Chizik to make $1.9M, plus incentives|publisher=[[Sporting News]]|access-date=September 8, 2009}}</ref> Iowa State was paid $750,000<ref name="goldberg chizik pay">{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/12/chiziks_auburn_deal_worth_abou.html|title=Chizik's Auburn deal worth about $2 million a year|last=Goldberg|first=Charles|date=December 14, 2008|publisher=[[Birmingham News]]|access-date=December 14, 2008}}</ref> by Chizik to be released from his contract which was paid by a loan from Auburn that was forgiven $150,000 for every year Chizik coaches, and would have been paid off entirely if he reached the end of the five-year deal. For the BCS Championship 2010 season, Chizik earned a base salary of $2.1 million plus bonuses worth an additional $1.1 million, including $500,000 for 13 wins, an SEC title, a BCS bowl appearance, and winning the AP SEC Coach of the Year, and an additional $600,000 for winning the BCS Championship Game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-11/auburn-football-coach-gene-chizik-earns-600-000-bonus-with-national-title.html|title=Auburn Football Coach Gene Chizik Earns $600,000 Bonus With National Title|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] | first1=Eben|last1=Novy-Williams|first2=Curtis|last2=Eichelberger|date=January 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.forbes.com/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/11/auburn-and-coach-gene-chizik-break-the-bank-with-bcs-title/?boxes=businesschannelsections|title=Auburn And Coach Gene Chizik Set To Break The Bank With BCS Title|work=[[Forbes]] | first=Kurt|last=Badenhausen|date=January 11, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Gene Chizik June 2011.png|thumb|Chizik at the White House, 2011]]
In his first year, Chizik led the Tigers to the [[2010 Outback Bowl]], a fairly quick turnaround for a team that went 5–7 the year before. The next year, he led the team to a 14–0 record and the BCS National Championship—the first undisputed national championship in school history. With the loss of several players who opted to go pro, Chizik's third-year record slipped to 8–5. The 2012 season was the first season that Chizik did not have [[Gus Malzahn]] on staff; Malzahn had accepted the head coach position at Arkansas State following the 2011 season. The [[2012 Auburn Tigers football| 2012 season]] was disappointing as the team finished 3–9 and was outscored 150–21 in its final three SEC games—including a 49–0 loss to Alabama in the Iron Bowl. 
With Malzahn's absence, media and alumni criticized coach Chizik, claiming he only won a championship at Auburn due to Malzahn's playcalling and assisting him as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1756870-gene-chizik-is-worst-coach-to-ever-win-national-championship-says-paul-finebaum|title=Gene Chizik Is Worst Coach to Ever Win National Championship, Says Paul Finebaum|website=bleacherreport.com}}</ref>

Chizik was released after four seasons, and Auburn bought out his contract for $11.09 million. Chizik received $7.5 million based on his December 1 contractual buyout amount and assistant coaches received the remainder. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2012/11/auburn_on_the_hook_for_1109_mi.html|title=Auburn on the hook for $11.09 million in buyouts for Gene Chizik, assistants|work=[[AL.com]]|date=November 25, 2012|access-date=November 25, 2012}}</ref>

Overall, Auburn went 33–19 during Chizik's tenure as head football coach. His only winning record in conference play was the 2010 national championship season.

===North Carolina===
Chizik was named defensive coordinator at the [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] on January 19, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gene Chizik named Defensive Coordinator|url=http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=209855916|website=GoHeels|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> He inherited a unit that had given up 497 yards per game in 2014; only three other teams in Power 5 conferences had surrendered more yards per game. The 2014 team ranked 120th nationally in overall defense. Through 11 games, Chizik's defense had surrendered 384 yards per game, a major factor in the Tar Heels going on a school record eleven-game winning streak and earning their 1st ACC Coastal Division championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=NCAA National Rankings|url=http://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?sport_code=MFB&division=11|website=NCAA.org|access-date=November 25, 2015}}</ref> Chizik's 2015 and 2016 defense units ranked 96th and 63rd nationally, respectively. Chizik resigned in February 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/02/gene_chizik_steps_down_at_unc.html|title = Gene Chizik steps down as UNC defensive coordinator|date = February 10, 2017}}</ref>
====Return to North Carolina====
After a multi-year hiatus from coaching, Chizik returned to Chapel Hill and was named assistant head coach for defense, following the departure of defensive coordinator [[Jay Bateman]]. He replaced Bateman on January 8, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Tar-Heels-Gene-Chizik-Charlton-Warren-Returning-to-Lead-Defense-180122343/|title=BREAKING: Gene Chizik, Charlton Warren Returning to Lead UNC Defense|first=Greg|last=Barnes|date=January 8, 2022|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=InsideCarolina}}</ref> Chizik serves as the de facto defensive coordinator, with the defense utilizing his preferred scheme, despite [[Charlton Warren]] and [[Tommy Thigpen]] having co-coordinator titles. His 2022 Tar Heel defense finished close to the bottom of the FBS in many statistical categories, ranking 102nd out of 131 teams in total defense.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2022-team-defense.html|title=2022 College Football Team Defense|website=sports-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 20, 2023}} </ref> Most notably, in an early-season game against [[2022 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team|Appalachian State]], Chizik's defense allowed forty points and 338 total yards of offense in the fourth quarter alone, though the Tar Heels would hang on to win 63–61.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://goheels.com/news/2022/9/3/football-unc-appalachian-state-recap.aspx|title=Tar Heels Outlast App State, 63-61|website=GoHeels.com|publisher=UNC Athletics|date=September 3, 2022|access-date=September 20, 2023}}</ref> After the 2023 season, UNC Head Coach Mack Brown announced that Chizik would not return for the 2024 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adelson |first1=Andrea |title=Gene Chizik won't return as North Carolina defensive coordinator |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39234648/gene-chizik-return-north-carolina-defensive-coordinator |website=ESPN.com |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref>

==Media career==
Following his termination from Auburn, Chizik did media work related to football, including [[ESPNU]] coverage of [[National Signing Day]] and hosting a weekly football radio show on [[Sirius Satellite Radio]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/7/16/4529350/gene-chizik-radio-show-sirius-xm|title = Chizik gets a radio show|date = July 16, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, he joined the [[SEC Network]] as a studio analyst.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/08/21/former-auburn-coach-gene-chizik-to-join-sec-network/14381641/|title = Former Auburn coach Gene Chizik to join SEC Network|website = [[USA Today]]}}</ref> Following his resignation from North Carolina after the 2016 season, he rejoined the SEC Network as an analyst.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Ex-Auburn-coach-Gene-Chizik-loving-life-doing-dad-things-491536621.html|title = Ex-Auburn coach Gene Chizik loving life doing dad things}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Duffey | first=Kevin | title=Gene Chizik back on the SEC Network this season | website=Saturday Down South | date=2017-08-02 | url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/gene-chizik-back-sec-network-season/ | access-date=2025-05-18}}</ref> He stepped down from the SEC Network upon his return to North Carolina in 2022.

==Personal life==
Chizik is married to Joanna Chizik, the daughter of his high school football coach. They have identical twin daughters named Landry and Kennedy and a son Eugene Calloway, or "Cally".<ref name=press121408>{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1229249716133800.xml&coll=3|title=The Gene Chizik File|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204005114/http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/mobileregister/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1229249716133800.xml&coll=3|archive-date=February 4, 2009}}</ref> Cally is named after a former player that Chizik coached at [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin State University]], Calloway "Cally" Presley Belcher. Belcher and Chizik had a very close relationship and Chizik named Cally in honor of Belcher, who died of a [[brain aneurysm]] after suffering a hit to the head in practice.<ref>Schmitz, Brian. (August 15, 2000) [https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/08/15/ucf-defensive-coordinator-names-son-in-remembrance-of-beloved-former-player/ Ucf Defensive Coordinator Names Son In Remembrance Of Beloved Former Player – Orlando Sentinel]. Articles.orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-25.</ref>

==Honors==
* [[Broyles Award]] (2004)
* [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|SEC Coach of the Year]] (AP) (2010)
* [[Home Depot Coach of the Year Award]] (2010)
* [[Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award]] (2010)
* [[Paul "Bear" Bryant Award]] (2010)
* [[Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award]] (2010)
* [[Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award#Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award|Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award]] (2011)<ref name="Stagg Award">{{cite web|title=Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award |url=http://www.asama.org/awards-of-sport/medallion-series/coaching-male/ |publisher=ASAMA – The American Sport Art Museum and Archives |access-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214548/http://www.asama.org/awards-of-sport/medallion-series/coaching-male/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State Cyclones]]
 | conf      = [[Big 12 Conference]]
 | startyear = 2007
 | endyear   = 2008
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | year         = [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007]]
 | name         = [[2007 Iowa State Cyclones football team|Iowa State]]
 | overall      = 3–9
 | conference   = 2–6
 | confstanding = T–5th <small>(North)</small>
 | bowlname     =
 | bowloutcome  =
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | year         = [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2008]]
 | name         = [[2008 Iowa State Cyclones football team|Iowa State]]
 | overall      = 2–10
 | conference   = 0–8
 | confstanding = 6th <small>(North)</small>
 | bowlname     =
 | bowloutcome  =
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Iowa State
 | overall    = 5–19
 | confrecord = 2–14
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn Tigers]]
 | conf      = [[Southeastern Conference]]
 | startyear = 2009
 | endyear   = 2012
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | year         = [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009]]
 | name         = [[2009 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
 | overall      = 8–5
 | conference   = 3–5
 | confstanding = T–4th <small>(Western)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2010 Outback Bowl|Outback]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = national
 | year         = [[2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2010]]
 | name         = [[2010 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
 | overall      = 14–0
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Western)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2011 BCS National Championship Game|BCS NCG]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 1
 | ranking2     = 1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2011]]
 | name         = [[2011 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
 | overall      = 8–5
 | conference   = 4–4
 | confstanding = 4th <small>(Western)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl|Chick-fil-A]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2012]]
 | name         = [[2012 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
 | overall      = 3–9
 | conference   = 0–8
 | confstanding = 7th <small>(Western)</small>
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Auburn
 | overall    = 33–19
 | confrecord = 15–17
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall    = 38–38
 | confrecord = 17–31
 | yearstart  = 2010
 | yearend    =
 | poll       = two
}}

==Notes==
{{note|a}} In 2022, Chizik's official title was Assistant Head Coach for Defense
==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://cyclones.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/gene-chizik/660 Iowa State profile]
* [https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/gene-chizik/2782 Auburn profile]
* [https://goheels.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/gene-chizik/3916 North Carolina profile]

{{Navboxes
| list =
{{Iowa State Cyclones football coach navbox}}
{{Auburn Tigers football coach navbox}}
{{2005 Texas Longhorns football navbox}}
{{2010 Auburn Tigers football navbox}}
{{Broyles Award}}
{{Home Depot Coach of the Year}}
{{Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year}}
{{Bear Bryant Award}}
{{Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chizik, Gene}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:Auburn Tigers football coaches]]
[[Category:Clemson Tigers football coaches]]
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[[Category:Iowa State Cyclones football coaches]]
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[[Category:High school football coaches in Florida]]
[[Category:Clearwater High School alumni]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Tarpon Springs, Florida]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Pinellas County, Florida]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Florida]]