Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has decided to stay in-house for former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s replacement, at least temporarily.
Monday, Malzahn announced linebackers coach Lance Thompson will served as interim defensive coordinator and call the defensive plays in the Birmingham Bowl.
Graduate assistant Travis Williams will take over the linebackers to allow Thompson to focus on his defensive coordinator responsibilities. Fellow graduate assistant Blake Gideon will coach the secondary, which was led by Travaris Robinson before he followed Muschamp to South Carolina.
“(Thompson’s) familiar with our defense,” Malzahn said. “He’s a veteran guy. These guys will work very closely together.”
Malzahn did not offer many details on the ongoing defensive coordinator search, but he said he is happy with the search’s progress.
“It’s going well,” Malzahn said. “I just want to make it clear: I have not officially offered the job to anyone. Timetable is still the same. Like I said, sooner rather than later, but I want to make sure we get the right person.”
Various reports have indicated Auburn engaged in discussions with Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, but Malzahn maintained no offer was made, and he is comfortable with how the process is playing out.
“We just got off the road recruiting yesterday, and we’ve been getting after that pretty good, so this is the first day that we’ve actually been off the road,” Malzahn said. “So no, I feel very good about our timetable, and I feel very good about getting the right guy.”
Auburn returned to the practice field on Monday, and Malzahn said all players practiced and should be available when Auburn travels to Birmingham to face Memphis on Dec. 30.
“They were excited to practice,” Malzahn said. “You can tell that their bodies are feeling better. They’ve had some time off, which is always very good. They’re looking forward to the bowl, and they were excited today in practice.”
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