Tide Tidbits - December 16, 2008

Seattle Times: Auburn's hiring displeases many
Gene Chizik wanted to win titles at Iowa State but instead went 5-19 in two seasons and lost 10 straight games. He knows the same results won't fly at Auburn. "You gotta win," Chizik said. He's got some convincing to do. Many Auburn fans are wringing their hands at the prospect of a coach with a losing record going head-to-head against Alabama's Nick Saban, who just snapped Auburn's six-year winning streak in the rivalry and spent much of the season ranked No. 1.

Saban, Jones Honored by The Sporting News
The honors continued to pour in for the Alabama football team as The Sporting News named its 2008 conference award winners on Monday. Alabama head coach Nick Saban was selected as The Sporting News' SEC Coach of the Year while Julio Jones was chosen as the publication's SEC Freshman of the Year.

Alabama Special Edition Magazine On Sale Now
Celebrate Alabama's undefeated season with Lindy's 2008 special edition copy of the The Tide Turns. In this 80-page limited edition magazine, you will find excellent photography and feature stories on the history of Alabama football, Bear Bryant, Nick Saban, John Parker Wilson, Andre Smith and Terrence Cody. A summary of the Crimson Tide's season is also highlighted, as are game-by-game recaps. Lindy's also made it a point to acknowledge the nine scholarship seniors who will be lost to graduation. Their leadership and outstanding play were instrumental in Alabama's huge turnaround.

Finebaum: Auburn blows its big chance
It is a cliché but applicable in this case. When you make a change, make a change. Case in point, Nick Saban for Mike Shula. Better yet, Tennessee throwing out one of its most successful coaches in history, Phillip Fulmer, for a man nearly 30 years his junior. That's serious change. With the hiring of Gene Chizik, Auburn made a change but also stayed the same. Well, not even that good.

Roll Tide!