Chizik: 'SEC is the best conference in the country'

HOOVER | First-year Auburn football coach Gene Chizik attended his first Southeastern Conference Media Days, kicking off the final day of the event.

Chizik was the defensive coordinator of the 2004 undefeated Auburn team but returns to a less talented bunch that is coming off a 5-7 season.

He said he was excited to be back on the Plains and is looking forward to returning Auburn football to where it was the last time he was there.

Despite spending the last four seasons in the Big 12, Chizik proclaimed the SEC the best conference in the country.

"They're arguably the two best in the country," he said. "The Big 12 is leaps and bounds better than it was five years ago. From top to bottom.

"The SEC, when you travel stadium to stadium you see the pride. All the things that make college football great there is no greater league. We have great players, great coaches and interest is at an all-time high.

"The turnout for (Media Days) is great validation for why people think this is the best conference in the country. I can assure you that I'm extremely happy to be back in this conference."