Auburn has hired Iowa State’s Gene Chizik as its new football coach, turning to a former defensive coordinator who helped the Tigers forge a perfect season but has won only five games in two years as a head coach.
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said that Chizik told him Saturday he was accepting the job at Auburn.
“I’m disappointed for our Iowa State fans and student- athletes that he has chosen to leave our program after only two seasons,” Pollard said in a statement. “I understand that it is a dream job for him, but the timing and the way it played out has been hurtful and disappointing.”
Chizik will succeed Tommy Tuberville, who resigned following 10 seasons with an 85-40 record.
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs would not confirm the hiring earlier after it was reported by numerous media outlets.
“We’re just still working through the deal,” Jacobs told reporters after landing in Auburn on a university jet.
An Auburn spokesman said no announcement was scheduled, but Chizik is expected to be introduced as the new coach Monday.
The 46-year-old Chizik is 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State after successful stints running the defenses at Auburn and Texas.
Minnesota-Duluth wins title.
Ted Schlafke threw for two touchdowns to lead Minnesota-Duluth to its first NCAA Division II football championship with a 21-14 win over Northwest Missouri State in Florence, Ala.
The Bulldogs (15-0) had never won a Division II playoff football game before this year.
Northwest Missouri (13-2) lost in the championship game for the fourth consecutive season. The Wildcats turned the ball over four times.
Minnesota-Duluth’s defense, led by linebacker Robbie Aurich’s 13 tackles, also sacked Northwest Missouri quarterbacks six times.
Tailback Kmic runs wild •
ALLIANCE, Ohio — Nate Kmic gained 310 yards and scored three touchdowns to become college football’s career rushing leader and lift Mount Union to a 45-24 win over Wheaton in the NCAA Division III semifinals in Alliance, Ohio.
Kmic broke the record on a 42-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He has 7,986 career yards, 24 more than the record set by Danny Woodhead of Chadron State in 2004-07.
Mount Union (14-0) advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the 12th time.
The top-ranked Purple Raiders will be seeking their 10th national title in a rematch in Salem, Va., on Dec. 20 against No. 4 Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-1), which defeated Mary-Hardin Baylor 39-13 in the semifinals.
Grambling wins SWAC title.
Greg Dillon threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another as Grambling State (11-2) defeated Jackson State (7-5) 41-9 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game in Birmingham, Ala.
Dillon was 12-of-17 passing for 137 yards and one interception. The quarterback hit Kiare Thompson for a 5-yard TD in the opening quarter, then drilled Dante Cheek on a 39-yarder with 1:39 left in the first half.
The Associated Press
