What kind of fit has Gene Chizik been at Auburn?

I’d say it’s been a lot better than some on the Plains might have thought when they first heard his name as a real possibility for the job back in December 2008.

As Chizik says himself, “He gets Auburn.”

Well, his players get him.

With 24 seniors returning, this is a team that believes deeply that it can make a run for the SEC championship next season. It’s a team that also believes deeply in its head coach, and more specifically, the way he goes about his business on the field.

Just listen to senior linebacker Josh Bynes, who even references former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville.

“What we love the most about Coach Chizik is that he gets in our behinds every single play -- defense, offense and special teams,” Bynes said. “He’s a competitor, and we see that in him. I’m not saying that Coach Tuberville wasn’t a great coach. He was a very good coach. But Coach Chizik is more into you.

“He’s a players’ coach. He’s in the drills. He’s in our faces. He’s getting in our behinds. He’s pushy, but he’s only going to make us a better team and better players.

“We see a coach who’s always working to get better.”