MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Coach Gene Chizik says in his upcoming book that Auburn would never have let Cam Newton play if the Tigers had any concerns about the quarterback’s eligibility.
Chizik says “we knew we had done nothing wrong during the recruiting process” and praised the Heisman Trophy winner’s “incredible focus” amid all the scrutiny last season.
The Associated Press received an advance copy of Chizik’s book “All In: What it Takes to Be the Best.”
He devoted two of the 282 pages to the NCAA’s investigation into Newton’s recruitment. The NCAA says Newton’s father, Cecil, solicited money from Mississippi State but has not accused Auburn or Cam Newton of wrongdoing.
Chizik chastised some reporters for engaging in “irresponsible journalism that destroys someone’s reputation.”
