Austin promoted to quarterbacks coach

As Auburn made the hire of Derrick Nix as offensive coordinator and running backs coach official, it also filled the vacant quarterbacks coach position. Hugh Freeze promoted Kent Austin, who served as a special assistant to the head coach for the Tigers last season, to coach the Tigers' signal callers in 2024.

“I feel very honored and blessed to be given this new position and am thankful for the trust Coach Freeze has placed with me to develop our quarterbacks at Auburn,” Austin said.

Austin served as Freeze's co-offensive coordinator at Liberty from 2019-22, also coaching quarterbacks in that time. Notably, he coached former Tiger Malik Willis, who in two years as Liberty's starter accounted for over 5,000 passing yards, 1,800 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns. Austin also has SEC coordinator experience, formerly holding the offensive coordinator position at Ole Miss from 2008-09. 

“I’ve known Kent for a long time and worked with him at multiple schools," Freeze said. "He is a great teacher and developer of quarterbacks and has been a valuable resource to our program this past year. I have full trust in Kent and Derrick as coaches and men to help develop our offensive unit to the standard we expect.”

The Tigers' quarterback room currently consists of incumbent starter Payton Thorne, Holden Geriner, Hank Brown and incoming freshman Walker White.

With Austin's promotion, the Tigers' offensive staff seems to be set. In addition to Austin as quarterback coach, the Tigers will have Nix as offensive coordinator and running backs coach, Marcus Davis as receivers coach, Ben Aigamaua as tight ends coach and Jake Thornton as offensive line coach. 

Austin takes over the position left vacant by Philip Montgomery, who was fired as the Tigers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after the 2023 season.