Offensive line coach J.B. Grimes was at Auburn’s first fall practice Tuesday, Aug. 4, just one week after undergoing successful surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his tongue.
Grimes also had lymph nodes removed on the right side of his neck.
A biopsy discovered the cancer on his tongue and, although a CAT scan did not reveal cancer in his lymph nodes, they were removed as a precautionary measure.
Coach Gus Malzahn said he wasn’t surprised to see Grimes at practice, even given the recent surgery.
“J.B. is probably the toughest coach in college football,” Malzahn said. “He had surgery last Wednesday. It was major surgery and the fact that he’s out there is really something.”
Assistant offensive line coach Johnny Brewer has played a big role as communicator since the surgery as Grimes tries to keep his voice down.
“(Grimes) is trying not to do the yelling,” Malzahn said. “He’s getting up close and whispering. I know that’s tough on him.”
Wide receiver Melvin Ray said the team has grown accustomed to Grimes' dedication.
“He’s going to show up, that’s not stopping him from being as intense as he is,” Ray said. “That’s just who he is. We love it because we know regardless of what he’s going through, he’s going to show up and be the same guy.”
Offensive tackle Avery Young said Grimes' spirit embodies what the offensive line as a whole wants to be about.
“He’s real tough, that’s what O-linemen are meant to be,” Young said. “He shows it a lot, being an O-lineman himself. I’m really proud of him. I think it’s kind of crazy. I would have been laying down somewhere. We look up to that a lot … It shows how much he cares about us and how much he looks for us to have a great season.”
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