Former Auburn offensive lineman Rodney Garner has been hired by Gus Malzahn to be the Tigers' defensive line coach and assistant head coach, the school said in a release Friday, Dec. 21.
"We are excited to announce Rodney Garner as our assistant head coach and defensive line coach," Malzahn said. "Rodney is one of the top defensive line coaches in college football who has had great success in the Southeastern Conference. It is great to welcome an Auburn man back home."
Garner, who spent the previous 12 years as Georgia's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, was an All-SEC offensive lineman at Auburn in 1988 and coached several positions at Auburn from 1990-95. He also served as recruiting coordinator.
Now Garner, a native of Leeds, is returning home to coach on The Plains.
"Auburn has always been a very special place for me and my wife, Kimberly, who is also an Auburn graduate," Garner said. "I owe a lot to Auburn and the men who helped mold me to who I am today, both professionally and personally. I'm very appreciative to Coach Malzahn for this opportunity and I feel very strongly that I can be an asset to the program. I have a lot of love for Auburn, and I felt this was a great chance to help give back to a place that has given me so much. I look forward to helping get Auburn back to where it belongs."
Garner will not coach Georgia in its Capital One Bowl matchup vs. Nebraska, according to a report by the Athens Banner-Herald.
"I don't want to be a distraction to the players," Garner told the paper. "It's about these players and it being a war for them. I don't want it to be a distraction and it being a little bit awkward."
Garner, who is known for his prowess on the recruiting trail, will have his work cut out for him early.
Auburn has lost seven commitments since Gene Chizik's firing, five of which were defensive players.
Hiring Garner could go a long way in holding together what remains of Auburn's 2012 class and will put the Tigers back in the hunt for five-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams, who is considering Auburn and Georgia among other schools.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
