Auburn coach Gene Chizik's new contract allows him to be paid if there is an NCAA investigation into possible major rules violations, a departure from his previous deal. Chizik's new deal, released to The Associated Press on Tuesday, merely says the coach agrees to comply with Southeastern Conference and NCAA rules and disciplinary procedures and cites Article 4 of the SEC's constitution outlining the commissioner's authority and Bylaw 19:8, which deals with enforcement. The bylaw is under revision, and SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said it is not ready for distribution. Chizik's attorney, Russ Campbell of Birmingham, declined comment and Auburn officials had no immediate comment. The old one signed in June 2009 included a stipulation allowing Auburn to suspend pay to Chizik if his program is being investigated by the university, the SEC or the NCAA for "alleged major rules violations or significant or repetitive violations." Auburn has faced considerable negative publicity and NCAA scrutiny in the months before and after winning the national title. The NCAA is investigating the recruitment of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, whose father shopped him to Mississippi State in a pay-for-play scheme. Auburn has not been charged with wrongdoing. Plus, four former players told HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" in a March report that they were paid thousands of dollars during their college careers. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6661920
