Sir Charles Still Thinks Auburn Should Have Hired Gill

One year later, Charles Barkley believes Auburn made the wrong choice in hiring Gene Chizik over Turner Gill.

"Turner would've been the right hire. I still think he would've been the better hire," Barkley told Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.

Although Chizik guided the Tigers to a 7-5 season, the center of Barkley's argument comes down to name recognition.

"Look at the other coaches in the SEC," he said. "Nick Saban. Urban Meyer. Les Miles. Steve Spurrier. Houston Nutt. Mark Richt. Those names pop in your mind before Gene Chizik.

"Let’s not kid ourselves. As far as name recognition, Auburn is at a decided disadvantage. Not just in the state. In the SEC."

With Alabama headed to the Bowl Championship Series title game, Barkley said his "worst nightmare is coming true. I'm definitely concerned about Alabama going on a huge roll. I have great respect for Nick Saban. He's won everywhere he's been."

Update: Barkley appeared Tuesday morning on WJOX in Birmingham to clarify his side of the story, basically that "if the article insinuates in any way that I don't think Chizik did a good job, it's B.S." Listen to it by clicking here.

Comments

[B]

Alabama publicity machine at work. This will be taken out of context and regurgitated by finebaum. All the while Auburn is on an upswing if this recruiting class goes as good as expected. You won't hear how it was a great job by a first year coaching staff or that darvin adams led the sec in td's, he didn't even make all sec, you can bet your sweet ass if a bammer woulda led in td's he'd been there.

[Beez]

I guess ol' Barkley thinks the name Turner Gill is thought of before all those other names he named first!?

[Brad]

yeah poor old barkley is just too stupid to understand that he's just getting played on by alabama media flunkies. Barkley should pony up with donations more, appreciate the 500, but your idiotic actions cost the university more than that every 4 months. Barkley should go back to arizona and begging some cop to tattoo stuff on his @ss and let auburn do auburn. How is Charles going to sit around and talk about champions or championships .. he never won any and damn sure isn't a champion.

[iowaguy]

Round Mound, be like BO.

[Jimec]

Sir Charles is a royal jerk. I don't blame Tiger for not taking his calls.