A great article this week from ESPN on Gene Chizik finding the perfect place to return to coaching. (READ HERE) Mack Brown created the space and North Carolina is the landing spot. Whatever this means long-term for Chizik, I hope the ultimate prize is happiness. I always thought he didn’t get enough credit for navigating the Cam Newton scandal and the rough seas that came with it, to WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 2010 at Auburn. Cam was great. Gus was great. The team was great. But I’ve learned over the years, that Chizik was the perfect spirit to be the captain of that ship. Smooth seas my friend, and I’ll leave you with one of his great CHIZDOMS: “It’s ok for people from your past to remember a version of you that no longer exists. God changes people. Spiritual growth is a beautiful thing!” #WordsofChizdom 

FRIDAY GAMES TO WATCH: (All Times Central)
SFB: UCLA vs. Northwestern 6:00 pm ESPN2
NHL: Lightning at Rangers 7:00 pm ESPN (NYR 1-0)
MLB: Braves at Rockies 7:40 pm Apple+
SFB: Oregon State vs. Arizona 8:30 pm ESPN2

ON THE SHOW FRIDAY: (All Times Central)
9:25 am   MATT HAYES, Saturday Down South Columnist
10:00 am JOHN FRANKLIN III, USFL, Former Auburn Players
11:00 am MONTANA FOUTS, Alabama Pitcher presented by Summitt Tree Stands
11:30 am TRASH with LT presented by Mortgage Right
12:35 pm ROCKSTAR LOUNGE presented by The Enclave in Alabaster

TOP LINKS THIS MORNING: ($$=Subscription Needed)

  • CONNOR O’GARA: Sam Pittman is still a bargain AFTER His new contract READ
  • $13M TO KEEP ROSTER TOGETHER: Ohio State Coach Ryan Day drops numbers READ
  • BRANDON MARCELLO: Chairman wants CFB Playoff expansion for 2023 READ
  • ROSS DELLENGER: School Presidents to give guidance for CFB Playoff expansion READ
  • TEXAS VS. TEXAS A&M: Aggies AD says when they meet again, he knows location READ
  • WAY-TOO-EARLY HEISMAN PREDICTIONS: Predictions and Sleepers for 2022 READ
  • JAHMYR GIBBS NUMBER: Tide RB decides on the jersey number READ
  • BRADY NOT 100% ON RETURN: Bucs QB gives honest answer following golf event READ
  • TUA FIRES BACK: Tagovailoa comments on arm strength and “Twitter Warriors” READ
  • DEEBO WILL BE BACK: 49ers GM seemed definitive about Samuels 2022 plans READ
  • C’s GET A+ IN 4TH: Celtics rally to take Game 1 from Warriors on the road READ
  • OREGON BOOSTER BUYING NBA TEAM?: Phil Knight makes $2B offer for team READ
  • COLLEGE ASSISTANT CHARGED WITH MURDER: Former Irish, Wildcat arrested READ

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Al Horford 36, Rafael Nadal 35, Anderson Cooper 54, Jalen Suggs 20,