What people are saying:

Thanks to Andy Bitter of War Eagle Extra for most of these quotes. They made me feel a lot better:

• Gene Chizik's statement from the release Saturday:
  

“Through my travels in coaching over the last 23 years, there’s one place that I’ve always wanted to return to and that is Auburn. The tradition of the Auburn football program combined with the passionate fans and their love for Auburn are second to none. My family and I are Auburn through and through, and look forward to being part of the Auburn family and community.

“I am dedicated to working tirelessly to win championships. We will not be outworked in any facet of the building process. I’m excited to get on the recruiting trail, meeting with the current players and reconnecting with past players. We want to develop young men into champions not only on the playing field, but in the classroom and in the community.”

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs' comment in the release:

“I’m extremely proud and excited to have Gene returning to Auburn to take over as head football coach of this program. I know that we have found the right fit for Auburn. Gene’s body of work during his 23 years in this profession is remarkable. He has a strong knowledge of this athletics program, this university and the community, and he knows how to be successful in the Southeastern Conference. He is a high-energy coach that is an outstanding motivator and demands a tough, physical style of football. I’m confident that Gene can build upon the foundation that has been established and make this a program that competes for championships on a consistent basis.”

• Auburn linebacker and Shaw High star Antarrious Williams, who played for Chizik when he was the Tigers' defensive coordinator from 2002-04, was on hand as well. Here's what he had to say:
  

What are your thoughts of the hire?
Extremely elated. I think we got the right guy. All along, we interviewed 6, 7, 8 guys -- I don’t know -- before we hired Chizik. I said: Where is Gene Chizik? Where is Gene Chizik? He was my No. 1 choice before they even mentioned him. I think Jay Jacobs got this right on the head. A lot of people are underestimating Gene Chizik’s coaching ability and mo9tivating players and players buying into the system, which is the key right now. That’s whyAlabama’s successful -- players are buying into Nick Saban’s system. It’s not that what they’re doing is so great. It’s that players believe what he’s saying. Players will buy into Gene Chizik.

What was he like as a coach?
He’s a fiery guy, I couldn’t tell you one time I can remember him cussing one players out, but he got on to us. He coached us hard. When Chizik left, it hurt us more to lose the guy than the coach. He’s a really good coach, but players were sad to lose Gene Chizik as a person as well. That just speaks highly of his character. I think he’s just the right fit for us right now.

• CB Walt McFadden
  

His reaction to the hire
"I'm kind of happy by seeing him come back. He's the one who got me here. He's the one who gave me a comfort of coming to Auburn, with me being from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I didn't know anything about Auburn. He told me a lot. Just being aroundCarlos Rogers when I was here on my recruiting visit, he just comforted me and told me all about coach Chizik and just gave me a lot of hype about it. "

On tonight's team meeting
"He just said he was a loyalty person. There's going to be change, but it's going to be for the great. He's not looking to rebuild. We're looking for that 13-0 season again. When he left off, he was 13-0. He's planning on being 13-0 next season."

On the last few weeks
"Just trying to find out who we are again. Before Tubs left us, we were all trying to find what it takes to be a better Auburn Tiger football player. And then soon as he left, we were trying to gain that knowledge, that comfort and he left us. Who are we? Then you know, we've been sticking around with Brother Chette, you know doing our bible studies and Coach Yox is helping us out. Now tonight, Coach Chizik coming right in and talking to us gives us a lot of comfort."

On the mood of the team
"First we were wondering, 'Who's this guy.' The people who wasn't recruited by him was like who's this guy. He came in and everybody just calmed down and it was a big relief that we finally got somebody we could trust."

• TE Tommy Trott
  

On Sunday's team meeting
"He really didn't introduce himself off the bat. I wondered if everybody knew who he was but I'm sure off T.V. and the internet had got familiar with his face. He just came in and said how pumped he was and how jacked he was to be back at a place that he loved. The last time he was in this room he was 13-0. He walked out of that room 13-0 and he plans on getting us back there."

On what Chizik's plan for Auburn is next year
"He said a lot of those seniors out there, he kind of spoke to me, a lot of those seniors out there don't be worried. This isn't a rebuilding thing. I'm not going to start from the ground up. We're coming out next year and we're going to be a lot better football team."

On Chizik's style
"You can tell he's going to be out there motivating us. He sounds like he's going to be a little more hands-on. He's probably going to snatch you up at a practice. He's going to have things done his way, he said. We're going to get back to being physical. If you don't love football, get out, because you better love football to what we're about to do. In a weird way that's very inspiring."

• CB Jerraud Powers
  

His reaction to the hire
"I was just happy it was over. That was the most part. I'm glad they chose a guy like coach Chizik. I just think, from the players' standpoint, we're just happy it's all over. Now we can go back to no worries and just doing what we're doing. Lately, since the thing happened, it's been kind of crazy around here. We're just happy it's over. "

Former Auburn Players who played for Gene Chizik:

Carlos Rogers, Washington Redskins, Former Auburn All-American, 2004 Thorpe Award Winner

"This was the best decision Auburn could have made. Coach Chizik was like a dad to me. From a player and student point of view he's exactly what Auburn needs in a head coach."

Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Former Auburn All-American Running Back

"Coach Chizik is a players' coach. Even though he was on the defensive side of the ball, he taught all of us the importance of hard work. He's the kind of coach recruits hope to get to play for, and I think this is a great hire. I'm excited for Auburn."

Dontarrious Thomas, Minnesota Vikings, Former Auburn linebacker

"Gene Chizik will make a great addition for Auburn. He knows the game of football and knows how to motivate and relate to young athletes. He knows how to motivate them to be successful not only on the field but in the classroom and in the game of life. He will be a blessing for the players and for Auburn University."