Auburn University is quickly becoming a factory – for SEC coaches, that is. After this weekend, now one-fourth (almost one-third) of the Southeastern Conference has former Auburn coordinators as head coaches.

Many questioned the selection of Gene Chizik as Auburns head man, not because of his abilities as a defensive coordinator, because he had already proven that he could do the job both at Auburn from 2002-2004 as well as at Texas. The questions were regarding his dismal numbers as a head coach.

Now, the Tigers find themselves playing in the nation’s top game for the coveted National Championship.

It appears that choosing Chizik was not such a bad move after all.

At Arkansas, Bobby Petrino, former Auburn offensive coordinator during the 2002 season, has been successful as well.

Many remember how close he came to being Auburn’s head man not long ago, a move that probably would have been just as fruitful as the Chizik move has become.

Now, Will Muschamp, a guy that many thought would be the next Texas Longhorns coach, has decided to become a Gator. Muschamp directed the Auburn defense during the 2006-2007 seasons, before moving on to become part of the Texas staff.

Not one to hide his emotions while pacing the sidelines, Muschamp was always a favorite of Tiger fans everywhere.

Gus Malzahn has decided not to “take the money and run,” a good decision not to become the next victim, er, head coach at Vandy.

You have to admire the way Malzahn has so quickly risen from the high school ranks to become one of the hottest names in coaching, but you also have to wonder why he even considered taking the Vandy job.

From an X’s and O’s as well as a clock management standpoint, there may not be a better offensive mind in college football right now, but when it comes to taking the Vandy job, I have to ask “What was he thinking?” Probably about the $3 million dollars per year.

Vanderbilt is the one SEC school that will likely never win an SEC championship and will absolutely never – let me repeat, NEVER – win a National Championship.

Would it be hard to turn down a $3 million dollars per year salary? Of course! But Malzahn is a hot ticket right now. He has coached two Auburn QB’s into the school’s record books, one to a Heisman trophy, and should Auburn win the National Championship, Malzahn will be able to have the job of his choice.

While coaching in the SEC is probably every coach’s dream, coaching at Vandy rarely leads to anything more than a string of mediocre seasons.

Maybe Malzahn would have become the miracle worker. Maybe the man who emphasizes a high play count, could have taken a bunch of athletes with high I.Q.’s and carried them all the way to the top.

I guess we will never know.

Still, as time rolls on, it appears that more and more SEC coaches have one thing in common – they used to be Tigers.

-Hit ‘em straight!

Dale Jones is a writer for The Islander and a member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Reach him a djones@gulfcoastnewspapers.com