The president's secret security detail has nothing on coach Gene Chizik's entourage.
State troopers, along with Auburn city police, escort Chizik and the team from late Friday evenings until well after games are over.
Melvin Owens, executive director of public safety and security, has been on the police force since December 1981.
He was a military policeman in the army for three years before that.
He said something about his work stuck, and he wanted to continue public service as a career choice.
Owens has been escorting coaches since 1983, and he walked alongside Pat Dye during his coaching tenure.
"It has it's challenges, but it's very rewarding," Owens said.
Although not trained to take a bullet for the coach, Owens said he hopes fans would never resort to violence.
"That's one of those situations where you really have to be in the moment to do your best," Owens said. "That's a split-second decision that you make. Hopefully, if everything goes well and we keep doing what we're doing, we'll never have to find out."
Chizik said he was appreciative of the security staff's work in keeping him safe and of the respect from fans.
"Auburn has the greatest fans in the country," Chizik said. "They are extremely passionate and are always supportive of Auburn and our football program. They have been very courteous and respectful in all of my interactions with them, which is exactly what I would expect out of Auburn fans."
Owens and the rest of Chizik's security also travel with the team to away games.
"It's more of a team approach," Owens said. "Everyone who works home games, works all games."
On top of guarding the safety of the team and coaches, Owens is responsible for Chizik's travel from his house to the Athletic Complex.
"If he just went out walking, because of the people who desire to talk to him, he wouldn't get anywhere," Owens said. "Basically our job is to ensure safe travel, avoid any rowdy fans and avoid any instances that would cause him any harm."
Owens' responsibilities begin around 2:30 Friday afternoons.
He stays with the team as it travels to the off-campus hotel and stays up until everyone goes to bed.
Game days, he wakes up before 7 a.m. and guards the team through team meetings and meals.
The team travels back to Sewell Hall for Tiger Walk three hours before kick off.
Owens walks with Chizik into the stadium and back to the locker rooms.
He stands guard as the players go through pre-game warm-ups and re-enter the field after pregame videos.
During the game, Owens and other officers flank the team on either side of the field and move around according to where Chizik is located.
Postgame, Owens sticks around until Chizik finishes his press conferences and TV appearances, then escorts him safely back to his home.
Owens has experience with rowdy fan situations.
"Traveling to Ole Miss one year, they threw batteries," Owens said. "During an Alabama game one year when coach Dye was here, they had fans spitting on you."
Owens said in situations where objects are being thrown, his focus is getting the whole team, not just Chizik, off the field safely.
"We make sure all the players have their helmets on," Owens said. "Then we try to hustle him off the field with the other coaches. At that point, we try to assist with the stadium security in identifying people who are causing the harm."
While Owens said he wouldn't mind a more friendly relationship with Chizik, he strives to maintain a professional relationship.
"When you start hanging out together, sometimes you lose your edge," Owens said. "So we keep everything very professional there."
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