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(12/19/14 7:00pm)
Jordan Muschamp received a text saying 'War Eagle' 30 minutes before Auburn's new defensive coordinator introduced himself as such to the press Saturday, Dec. 13.
The text was from former Florida head coach Will Muschamp, who was implying to his nephew that he was going to coach Auburn's defense in 2015.
Coming from a football family, Jordan was excited to see the happenings unfold for his uncle and Auburn.
Although, he said the attention he has received after his uncle was hired has not been as exciting.
"After it was announced people were following me on Twitter," Jordan said. "I had people finding me on Facebook. It was just kind of weird. Once it was announced I had so many people texting me. I'm hoping that we win every game just because I don't want people on my back."
Although his friends love being able to say they know Will Muschamp's nephew, the sophomore majoring in business management said he did not plan on attending a school where his uncle coaches.
The Rome, Georgia native said he always knew he would end up at Auburn, whether his uncle was there or not, because it is where most of his mother's side of the family went to school.
"Auburn is always where I wanted to go," Jordan said. "I only applied to Auburn and Ole Miss. Ole Miss was kind of like a backup plan."
Nevertheless, Jordan said he is excited about his uncle's energy returning to the Plains and hopes it will spark the Tigers' defense in 2015.
Jordan said the loudest he has ever heard Jordan-Hare Stadium was when his uncle was Auburn's defensive coordinator in 2006.
"When Will was defensive coordinator for Auburn, and we were playing against Florida in '06, we blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to take the lead and win the game," Jordan said. "That was the loudest I've ever heard it."
Jordan's uncle earned the title "Boom" for his enthusiastic behavior on the field. The passion comes from being a part of a football family, according to Jordan.
"The whole family loves football," Jordan said. "That's kind of where Will gets his passion for the game."
While his uncle played football at the University of Georgia and coached at the professional and college levels, he isn't the only Muschamp who loves the game.
Jordan Muschamp's father played football for the United States Military Academy at West Point, his grandfather played at the University of North Carolina, his great grandfather played at Penn State and his brother has offers to play for the Army and Air Force.
Even his grandmother loves it, according to Jordan.
This past Thanksgiving break she traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to watch Will Muschamp coach his last game as head coach of the Gators and then took a trip to Georgia so she could feed her son's football staff before a state playoff game.
Muschamp thinks head coach Gus Malzahn's offense and his uncle's defense will be quite the duo.
"With Gus's offense being good year in and year out and then Will's defenses always being pretty successful, I think it will be a really good football team next year," Jordan said. "I think our defense is going to be very much improved."
Auburn's defensive players will not be the only one's looking to thrive under Coach Boom's return.
The return of his uncle has caused some unwanted attention for Jordan, but nothing he said he can't handle yet.
The pressure is something that comes with the last name.
(12/18/14 4:15am)
Three big-time junior college commits signed their national letter-of-intent Wednesday.
Dec. 17, 2014, to add some depth to Auburn's top-10 recruiting class for the 2015 season.
Five-star running back Jovon Robinson is the biggest name out of the three.
The No. 1-rated junior college player this season arrived on the Plains over the weekend and has practiced with the team.
He broke junior college records as he rushed for over 2,000 yards, scored 34 touchdowns and scored 204 points at Georgia Military College this season. As a senior at Wooddale High School, he rushed for 1,069 yards, scored 13 touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Nevertheless, Robinson will not play in the Outback Bowl.
Both out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, five-star quarterback Jason Smith and three-star defensive tackle Maurice Swain joined the Auburn squad Wednesday.
Smith and Swain helped lead the Bulldogs to an 8-2 record and No. 7 national ranking this season.
Smith threw for 1,566 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, while scoring 10 rushing touchdowns.
As a senior at McGill-Toolan Catholic High School, Smith was 110-169 passing for 1,566 yards with 19 touchdowns and rushed for 849 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Swain earned MACJC All-State First Team and conference MVP honors this season with 32 tackles. The two time all-state and three-year captain at Troup County High had 65 tackles and 7 sacks as a senior.
The early arrival of Robinson, and signing Smith and Swain, will allow them extra time to practice and learn the system of head coach Gus Malzahn while getting acclimated to their teammates.
Here is a complete list of the Auburn 2015 Football Commits:
Ratings are based on 247sports.com composite rating.
1. Running back Jovon Robinson (Height, 5-11, Weight, 225):
Committed Dec. 17, 2014
Ranking: 5 star recruit, ranked No. 1 nationally
Prior school: Georgia Military College Community College in Milledgeville, Georgia
High School: Wooddale HS, Memphis, Tennessee
2. Quarterback Jason Smith (6-1/180):
Commited Dec. 17, 2014
5 star recruit, ranked No. 9 nationally
Out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
McGill-Toolan Catholic HS, Mobile, Alabama
3. Defensive tackle Maurice Swain (6-4/295):
Committed Dec. 17, 2014
3 star recruit, ranked No. 49 nationally
Out of Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Troup County HS, LaGrange, Georgia
4. Runningback/Safety Kerryon Johnson (6-0/200):
Committed April 15, 2014
4 star recruit, ranked No. 38 nationally
Out of Madison Academy (HS) in Madison, Alabama
5. Outside Linebacker Darrell Williams (6-3/226):
Committed May 7, 2014
4 star recruit, ranked No. 188 nationally
Out of Birmingham, Alabama (Hoover HS)
6. Safety/Outside Linebacker Jordan Colbert (6-2/205):
Committed April 26, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 196 nationally
Out of Griffin, Georgia (Griffin HS)
7. Outside Linebacker Richard McBryde (6-2/210):
Committed July 26, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 199 nationally
Out of Troy, Alabama (Charles Henderson HS)
8. Offensive Guard/Offensive Tackle Tyler Carr (6-5/311):
Committed June 24, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 220 nationally
Out of Gadsden, Alabama (Southside HS)
9. Running back D'Anfernee McGriff (6-1/230):
Committed April 22, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 229 nationally
Out of Tallahassee, Florida (Tallahassee Leon HS)
10. Offensive Guard Marquel Harrell (6-3/295):
Committed April 21, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 246 nationally
Out of Fairburn, Georgia (Creekside HS)
11. Offensive Tackle Kaleb Kim (6-4/280:
Committed April 24, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 260 nationally
Out of Hoschton, Georgia (Mill Creek HS)
12. Offensive Tackle Bailey Sharp (6-5/280:
Committed April 19, 2014
4-star recruit, ranked No. 320 nationally
Out of Marietta, Georgia (Sprayberry HS)
13. Quarterback Tyler Queen (6-2/229):
Committed July 10, 2013
3-star recruit, ranked No. 361 nationally
Out of Kennesaw, Georgia (North Cobb HS)
14. Fullback Chandler Cox (6-1/225):
Committed May 31, 2014
3-star recruit, ranked No. 371 nationally
Out of Apopka, Florida (Apopka HS)
15. Inside Linebacker Montavious Atkinson (6-1/200):
Committed March 16, 2014
3-star recruit, ranked No. 439 nationally
Out of Fairburn, Georgia (Langston Hughes HS)
16. Defensive Tackle Jauntavius Johnson (6-2/330):
Committed Aug. 6, 2013
3-star, ranked No. 485 nationally
Out of Lincoln, Alabama (Lincoln HS)
17. Outside Linebacker Elijah Sullivan (6-1/215):
Committed Fe. 22, 2014
3-star recruit, No. 528 nationally
Out of Tucker, Georgia (Tucker HS)
18. Tight End Jalen Harris (6-5/244):
Committed June 24, 2014
3-star recruit, No. 616
Out of Montgomery, Alabama (St. James HS)
19. Cornerback Chris Westry (6-4/180):
Committed July 24, 2014
3-star, ranked No. 942
Out of Orange Park, Florida (Oakleaf HS)
20. Punter Ian Shannon (6-4/190):
Committed Sept. 3, 2014
3-star recruit, ranked No. 144 in Georgia
Out of Mariettta, Georgia (Marietta HS)
(12/18/14 1:13am)
Auburn's divers wrapped up the fall schedule Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at the LSU Diving Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Tigers faced off against host LSU and Alabama from Monday through Wednesday in their last meet of 2014.
On the men's side, Auburn's Fraser McKean opened the three-day competition with a win on the 1-meter springboard as the senior posted a score of 336.90. Freshman Pete Turnham finished third with a six-dive list of 312.70.
Senior Cinzia Calabretta led the Auburn women in the first day of action with a second-place finish in the 3-meter final, while freshman Madeline Cox placed fourth overall.
McKean picked up another win Tuesday as he scored 404.15 on the 3-meter springboard final.
Cox led the women on the second day of action at the LSU Natatorium. The freshman placed fourth overall with a score of 247.30 on the 1-meter.
The Tigers' seniors closed out the competition with wins on the men's and women's side Wednesday.
Calabretta set a pool record with a 286.25 and McKean set a personal-best with a 415.40 in their platform final victories.
McKean's victory gave him a sweep at the three-day invite after earning first-place on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards during the first two days at the LSU Invitational.
The Auburn divers' next competition will be at the Tennessee Diving Invite on Jan. 3-5. The full squad will not return to action until Jan. 8 as the Tigers host Texas at home.
(12/17/14 4:42pm)
Reese Dismukes' accomplishments in his final season on the Plains are not going unnoticed.
The senior's most recent recognition came when he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Football Coaches Association Wednesday December 17 and the Associated Press Tuesday.
He is the first Auburn football player to be a consensus All-American pick since the 2010 season when Cam Newton, Nick Fairley and Lee Ziemba earned the same honors.
Dismukes will also receive the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's best center, in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Jan. 11.
The winner of the Rimington Trophy is selected by determining the consensus All-American center pick from three existing All-America teams.
Auburn's center was also named All-SEC by the AP and league coaches and has accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl.
Dismukes was a four-year starter for the Tigers and will play his last game for Aubur against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
(12/13/14 6:00pm)
After seven seasons in the NFL, former Auburn running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams had a significant pursuit to finish his degree.
Williams was lifted by the winds of progress Saturday morning when he received his Liberal Arts diploma at the Auburn University Fall Graduation Ceremony.
"Very glad to be finally getting my degree here," Williams said. "I've been procrastinating for 10 years now. It's an honor and a pleasure to get my degree this morning, and be an official alumni of Auburn University."
Williams had quite the journey before he decided to return to the Plains and finish his degree.
After the Gadsden native played his last game for Auburn 10 years ago he was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played seven years for the league.
The 2004 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year also started his own insurance company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Williams said it felt like he never left Auburn when he returned this year to press on with his quest of graduating.
The 32-year-old had plenty of memories to reminisce from his days as a standout football player here.
The first-team-All-American set the school record with 45 rushing touchdowns and rushed for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior season.
Williams and Auburn teammate Ronnie Brown were the first two running backs in NFL Draft history from the same college to be drafted in the top five in the same season.
Williams didn't just go back to school for himself.
"This is something nobody could ever take from me," Williams said. "This is something I not only did for myself, but for my family. I'm the first one to graduate in my family."
His mother always wanted him to go back and finish his degree, and Williams wanted to be an example for his son, who is 10 months old.
"When he is growing up I want to stress how important education is," Williams said. "For me to have my college degree, I think that can go long ways."
The days of playing football are over for him, but Williams said he is highly interested in exploring the coaching part of the game.
"I would love to get back into football whether it's coaching or doing something with it," Williams said. "I either want to go to college or high school."
Graduating was another accomplishment to add to the NFL and all the great things Williams did on the field as an Auburn player.
Williams is confident those accomplishments will assist him in educating and encouraging young people to accomplish their goals in the future.
(12/09/14 9:18pm)
Southeastern Conference Coaches selected six Auburn football players to represent the league on the All-SEC Coaches' Football Team.
Auburn's Rimington Trophy and Outland Award finalist Reese Dismukes and conference-rushing leader Cameron Artis-Payne made All-SEC first-team honors, while four other Tigers won second-team spots.
Receiver Sammie Coates' 30 catches for 717 yards and four touchdowns this season earned him a second-team spot behind first-team selections Amari Cooper of Alabama and Pharoh Cooper of South Carolina.
Return specialist Quan Bray, who leads the SEC in punt returns, earned a second-team spot behind Marcus Murphy of Missouri.
Defensive backs Jonathan Jones, who is second in the SEC with six interceptions, and Jonathon Mincy, who recorded 63 tackles and an interception in 2014, will join Coates and Bray on the All-SEC Coaches' second-team.
Twelve SEC schools had at least one member on the first-team All-SEC squad, while Alabama led the way with five. A full list of representatives can be found below:
(12/08/14 8:20pm)
Auburn four-year starter Reese Dismukes was named one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy Monday, an award that honors college football's best center.
The winner of the award is selected by determining the consensus All-American center pick from three existing All-America teams.
Dismukes is also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation's best lineman. The senior has 49 career starts and has accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl.
The other five finalists are Oregon's Hroniss Grasu, Michigan State's Jack Allen, Georgia's David Andrews, Kansas State's B.J. Finney and Boston College's Andy Gallik.
The winner of the Rimington Trophy will be announced on ESPNU on Dec. 11 after the College Football Awards show.
Dismukes will take the field for the final time in an Auburn uniform on Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin.
(12/08/14 1:40am)
The Auburn swim and dive team wrapped things up at the Georgia Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Georgia as the men's team finished third overall and the women's team finished fourth Sunday.
Sophomore Joe Patching finished second overall with an NCAA automatic qualifying time in the 200-back, senior Fraser McKean posted a six-dive list of 413.70 to win the men's platform final and Auburn's men's 400 freestyle relay team picked up an `A' cut time of 2:52.47 to finish second overall in the final day of competition.
The Auburn men's and women's 200 freestyle relay teams finished with NCAA automatic qualifying times, while 15 swimmers earned `B' cuts in the first day of action on Friday.
The men's 200 free relay squad touched in at 1:18.04 to take second place, while the women's team, finished with a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 1:28.41 in the 200 free relay for third place to conclude the first day.
On day two at the Georgia Invitational Auburn's men's and women's 200 medley relays recorded NCAA automatic qualifying times, while McKean won the 3-meter final.
Auburn's men finished in 1:25.45 for second overall, while the women's 200 medley relay took fourth place with 1:37.81.
McKean finished Saturday with a six-dive list of 379.45 in the 3-meter.
Day 1 results for men's team: 200 Free Relay: 2. Darmody, Duderstadt, Mendes, Molacek (1:18.02); 500 Free: 24. Samuelson (4:32.58); 200 IM: 9. Patching (1:44.76); 50 Free: Darmody (19.69); 1M Diving: McKean (369.40); 400 Medley Relay: 3. Patching, Duderstadt, Mendes, Darmody (3:10.11).
Day 1 results for women's team: 200 Free Relay: 3. Purcell, Fonteno, Ellzey, Hull (1:28.41); 500 Free: 12. Thatcher (4:43.28); 200 IM: 20. DeBever (1:59.80) 50 Free: 4. Purcell (22.24); 3M Diving: Calabretta (263.40) 400 Medley Relay: 4. Vitarius, Lloyd, Fonteno, Purcell (3:34.28).
Day 2 results for men's team: 200 Medley Relay: 2. Patching, Duderstadt, Mendes, Darmody (1:25.45); 400 IM: 13. J. Jones (3:53.01); 100 Fly: 3. Mendes (46.88); 200 Free: 23. McKee (1:41.53) 100 Breast: 3. Duderstadt (52.54); 5. Patching (47.10); 3M Diving: 1. McKean (379.45); 800 Free Relay: 4. Patching, Mendes, Browning, Hancock (6:26.88)
Day 2 results for women's team: 200 Medley Relay: 4. Vitarius, Lloyd, Fonteno, Purcell (1:37.81); 400 IM: 10. Thatcher (4:13.19); 100 Fly: 15. Fonteno (53.83); 200 Free: 17. Hull (1:47.67); 100 Breast: 2. Lloyd (1:00.66); 100 Back: 10. Vitarius (53.56); 1M Diving: 10. Scheper (257.40); 800 Free Relay: 8. Thatcher, Hull, Fonteno, Vitarius (7:21.92)
Day 3 results for men's team: 1,650 Free: 12. Schenk (15:44.44); Platform Diving: 1. McKean (413.70); 200 Back: 2. Patching (1:40.75); 100 Free: 4. Darmody (43.82); 200 Breast: 4. Duderstadt (1:55.06); 200 Fly: 6. Mendes (1:44.40); 400 Free Relay: 2. Mendes, Duderstadt, Molacek, Darmody (2:52.47)
Day 3 results for women's team: 1,650 Free: 7. Neidigh (16:20.17); Platform Diving: 8. Calabretta (232.00); 200 Back: 10. Vitarius (1:55.27); 100 Free: 4. Purcell (48.53); 200 Breast: 5. Lazor (2:10.88); 200 Fly: 15. Murslack (1:59.47); 400 Free Relay: 7. Purcell, Fonteno, DeBever, Hull (3:17.94)
Final scores for men's team: 1. California 921; 2. Georgia 916; 3. Auburn 641; 4. Virginia 526; 5. Penn State 331; 6. Florida State 311
Final scores for women's team: 1. Georgia 916; 2. Cal 907; 3. Virginia 748; 4. Auburn 405; 5. Penn State 363; 6. Florida State 214
(12/06/14 11:30pm)
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced that Auburn softball head coach Clint Myers will be inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame at the NFCA Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2015.
Myers career record is 1,356-356-1 (.792) after 28 years of coaching college softball and baseball.
He carried his winning tradition to Auburn as Myers led the Tigers to the second-highest total wins in program history in his first season as head coach at Auburn. The team broke several records and recorded the highest batting average in nine years last season.
The veteran coach's softball teams have won six national titles, five straight from 1988-1992.
Myers has received the NJCAA national coach of the year award six times and has been named the National Softball Coaches Association (NSCA) regional and National Coach of the Year three times.
The Tigers' head coach will look for continued success in his second season on the Plains.
(12/05/14 4:40am)
Auburn welcomed Southeast Louisiana University to Auburn Arena the same way it did in Beard-Eaves Coliseum over 15 years ago, with a beating.
The Auburn women's basketball team defeated the Lady Lions 72-44 Thursday night at Auburn Arena for the Tigers' ninth straight win at home.
The only previous meeting between the two teams was on Nov. 29, 1997, at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, where the Tigers defeated the Lady Lions 92-55.
The Tigers' (5-2) 28-point win over Southeastern Louisiana (3-4) did not come easy.
Auburn's offense was sluggish in the beginning against its opponent's zone defense and missed 10 of 11 shots to start the game.
"I really don't think we were taking our time," head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. "I thought we were settling for outside shots too much. We had to get in the paint a little more, get a little more high percentage shots. It's hard because when you see zone, everybody thinks they should just shoot the ball from the outside."
Junior Tra'cee Tanner, who has held or shared the Auburn scoring lead in five of six games this year, only had two points in the first half.
"I think I started off a little too jittery, rushing my shots, not taking my time," Tanner said. "I was letting my offense affect my defense, and we always say that our defense sparks our offense."
The Tigers pulled it together at the end of the first half with a 21-6 run that gave them a five-point lead heading into the locker room.
Jessica Jones led the way for the Tigers in the first period with eight points. The freshman ended the game with a career-high 11 points.
"Jessica Jones is getting better because she is competing with Tra'cee (Tanner) every day in practice," Williams-Flournoy said. "She is going up against Tra'cee so coming out here, this is nothing. This is a breeze for her."
The Tigers shot 42.6 percent from the field in the first half.
Auburn found its rhythm in the second half, jumped out to a big lead, and never looked back
Tanner returned in the second half as Auburn's scoring threat and led the way with a team-high 15 points and six rebounds.
Sophomore Brandy Montgomery posted 14 points with four rebounds and two assists.
"I'm just trying to take good shots, and when I'm open knock it down," Montgomery said. "Just continue to take the best shot, not just any shot that I feel like taking."
Freshman Neydja Petithomme had a career-high 11 points with three rebounds and six assists.
Auburn was 30 of 56 from the field and shot 53.6 percent as a team in Thursday's victory.
The Tigers will take nine days off for final exams then return to action Sunday, Dec. 14, to take on Samford at home.
(12/06/14 1:00pm)
Defensive tackle Angelo Blackson will walk across the stage to graduate with his peers Dec. 13. "The Plainsman's" Derek Thompson sat down with Blackson to talk about Auburn, football and his plans for the future.
(12/01/14 2:05am)
Ellis Johnson's tenure as Auburn defensive coordinator has come to an end, per a release from Auburn Sunday night.
Johnson's replacement will be tasked with fixing a defense that allowed 30 points or more in the Tigers' final six SEC games this season.
Auburn has a history of hiring former head coaches as defensive coordinator. Its last three, Johnson, Ted Roof and Brian Van Gorder, were a combined 9-65 at their most recent head coaching position.
We as the sports staff of The Auburn Plainsman have compiled a list of potential replacements for Auburn's defensive coordinator. All but one of the names on our list is a former head coach who is currently without a job or could be without a job due to varying circumstances.\0x200B
Will Muschamp (former Florida head coach, 28-22 overall record)
Even though his stint at Florida was unsuccessful, Muschamp is definitely the main candidate for this position in the eyes of the fans.
Muschamp began his coaching career as a linebacker's coach under Nick Saban at LSU, and was quickly promoted to defensive coordinator. In his second year as coordinator, LSU led the nation in scoring defense and total defense, and the Bayou Bengals won the BCS National Championship.
He then followed Saban to the Miami Dolphins as his defensive coordinator for a season, but returned to the college game as Auburn's defensive coordinator.
In his two seasons at Auburn, Muschamp's defenses were top 10 nationally in total defense and led the SEC. He was a fan favorite also, as his energy was contagious to players and fans.
Muschamp then was hired as the defensive coordinator at Texas, where he became one of the hottest head coach prospects in the country. After three seasons, he was hired as the head coach at Florida.
Muschamp would be a home run hire for Auburn. One of the main problems for Auburn's defense has been its lack of discipline, something that Muschamp's fiery personality will be able to solve. Also, he's a proven commodity as an SEC coordinator, with success at multiple programs.
By: Andrew Monson | Sports Writer
_______________________________________
Bo Pelini (Former Nebraska head coach, 67-27 overall record)
In a stunning move by the Nebraska front office, head coach Bo Pelini was fired on Sunday after seven seasons with the team.
Pelini leaves Nebraska with a 67-27 overall record and had won at least nine games every season. It was a move that angered players and fans of Nebraska but could be seen as a blessing for Auburn.
When Pelini was hired as defensive coordinator for the Cornhuskers in 2003, he improved a defense that was ranked 55th nationally the year before to 11th and led the country in turnover margin.
In 2004, he was a co-defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners team that went to the BCS National Championship game against the USC Trojans and was the sixth-ranked rushing defense and 11th-ranked scoring defense.
Pelini earned the Nebraska job as a defensive coordinator came during his tenure with the LSU Tigers. For each of his three years as defensive coordinator LSU was ranked third in overall defense and even managed to win the 2008 BCS National Championship game with a 38-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.
By: Pierce Quinn | Sports Writer
_______________________________________
Manny Diaz (Defensive coordinator, Louisiana Tech)
Manny Diaz has 14 years of Division I coaching experience and has led his defenses to 12 bowl game appearances.
As defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech this year, the Bulldogs have improved with a ranking of No. 29 in the nation in total defense this year, a year after they allowed an average of 408 yards per game.
Diaz previously coached as defensive coordinator at Texas from 2011-2013, and during his first season he led the Longhorns to become the top defense in the Big 12, as they ranked No. 1 in the conference in total defense, rushing defense and pass defense.
Diaz was also the defensive coordinator for Mississippi State in 2010, which ranked No. 22 in the nation in scoring defense. The Bulldogs allowed only 19.9 points per game in 2010, which showed when they lost only 19-14 to the 2010 Auburn national championship team. That team also ranked nationally as No. 15 in red-zone defense, No. 17 in nationally in rushing defense and No. 17 in tackles for loss, which was another major turnaround after Mississippi State finished No. 71 in scoring defense and No. 89 in tackles for loss the season before he arrived in Starkville, Mississippi.
Although Diaz may not be the biggest name on Auburn's short list of potential defensive coordinator candidates, he has had plenty of success turning around big programs that have had defensive struggles before he got there.
By: Kyle Van Fechtmann | Assistant Sports Editor
_______________________________________
Bill Clark (6-6 in 2014 season as head coach at UAB, 11-4 in 2013 season as head coach at Jacksonville State)
The possibility of Auburn hiring UAB head coach Bill Clark to take charge of the Tigers' defense remains an option if concerns surrounding UAB football shut the program down.
During his first year as head coach at UAB, Clark led the Blazers to a 6-6 season, and made his team eligible for bowl competition for the third time in school history. The Blazers are one of eight Conference USA teams to win at least six games in the 2014 season.
Before that, he guided Jacksonville State to a record-setting 11-4 season as its head coach in 2013. It was the most victories for the Gamecocks since 1992.
Prior to Jacksonville State, Clark was assistant head coach and the defensive coordinator at South Alabama.
Clark was the high school football head coach for nine years at Prattville High School, where his last two teams won a pair of Class 6A State Championships.
Depending on the future of UAB's football program or how long it takes for the school to give Clark a contract extension, Auburn could find the missing piece to its coaching staff in his 20 years of coaching experience.
By: Derek Thompson | Sports Writer
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Gene Chizik (38-38 as head coach)
Gene Chizik's tenure as Auburn head coach was well documented. His questionable hiring was well documented too, but the firing of defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson leaves a spot on the Auburn coaching staff.
Before disregarding the former head coach, remember his success as a defensive coordinator for both Auburn (2002-2004) and Texas (2005-2006).
As Auburn defensive coordinator, Chizik's defenses gave up an average of 15.13 points per game. In 2004, after major contributions to the undefeated season, Chizik was awarded the Broyles Award, given to the nation's best assistant coach.
Everyone remembers the 2010 National Championship Chizik celebrated with the Tigers, but it should be noted that he also played a major role in Texas' 2005 National Championship win over USC.
Chizik also coached three different winners of the Thorpe Award, an award given to the nations best defensive back; Carlos Rodger (AU), Michael Huff (UT), and Arron Ross (UT).
However, Auburn fans are unlikely to forget Chizik's fall from dominance.
In his last two seasons as Auburn's head coach, Chizik amassed an 11-14 record including a winless conference record in 2012.
It also would be interesting to see how Auburn fans would react if the team signs on a defensive coordinator that still hasn't finished his head coach contract.
The former head coach is currently bringing home $209, 457.84 a month, according to Auburn's payroll.
Chizik may not be on many Auburn fan's wish list, but if worst comes to worst, at least there's another proven defense coordinator living in the Auburn city limits.
By: Patrick Lucas | Sports Reporter
(02/24/15 5:06am)
Auburn defeated Mississippi State 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-19) in its final match of the 2014 season Saturday afternoon at Auburn Arena.
(02/24/15 5:07am)
The Auburn volleyball team fell 3-1 (14-25, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25) to the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats Wednesday night at Auburn Arena.
(11/24/14 3:45am)
A young Auburn women's basketball team struggled on the road Sunday as Virginia handed the Tigers their first loss of the season.
Down five points at halftime, Auburn (3-1) was looking for a comeback at John Paul Jones Arena. A 10-0 run early in the second half from the Cavaliers (4-0) put the Tigers hopes to rest in a 66-51 loss.
Virginia hit 13 of 20 attempts (65 percent) in the second half to keep the lead out of reach for the Tigers.
Auburn's Brandy Montgomery scored a career-high 24 points with a career-high six 3-pointers. The sophomore hit 9-of-20 attempts from the field, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range.
The Tigers shot 32.3 percent in the loss.
Sophomore Katie Frerking pulled down six rebounds to lead the Tigers on defense.
Junior Tra'Cee Tanner, Auburn's leading scorer in the first three games, had six points and four rebounds.
The Tigers will travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina to face Winthrop on Saturday, Nov. 29 at noon.
(02/24/15 5:07am)
The Auburn volleyball team fell 3-0 (16-25, 22-25, 20-25) to LSU at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday afternoon.
(11/23/14 8:05pm)
After a 31-7 victory over Samford Saturday night, Auburn jumped from No. 17 to No. 16 in this week's Amway Coaches Poll and moved up one spot to No.15 in this week's AP poll.
Florida State stayed in the No. 1 spot, followed by Alabama, Oregon and Mississippi State in this week's AP Top 25.
Ole Miss slipped 11 spots in week 13, while Nebraska, Utah, Southern California and Duke dropped out of the top-25 in the Coaches poll.
Here is a complete list of this week's Amway Coaches poll rankings with each team's ranking from last week in parentheses:
1. Alabama (2)
2. Florida State (3)
3. Oregon (!)
4. Mississippi State (!)
5. TCU (!)
6. Baylor (!)
7. Ohio State (!)
8. Michigan State (9)
9. Georgia (10)
10. UCLA (12)
11. Kansas State (!)
12. Arizona (13)
13. Arizona State (14)
14. Wisconsin (15)
15. Georgia Tech (16)
16. Auburn (17)
17. Missouri (20)
18. Oklahoma (22)
19. Ole Miss (8)
(11/23/14 1:09am)
Auburn's divers finished up the Georgia Tech Invitational Saturday at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.
The Tigers competed against Clemson, Colorado State, College of Charleston, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tulane and Utah in the three-day competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
Justin Youtsey was the top-finisher for the Tigers in the 1-meter final Thursday. The junior took fourth overall with a score of 332.75. Pete Turnham took sixth place in the 1-meter to advance to the 10-diver final with a 329.00. It was a season-best for the freshman and gave him an NCAA Zones qualifying score.
Senior Cinzia Calabretta took ninth overall with a score of 279.90 in the women's 3-meter competition.
Youtsey was a top finisher again in the Tigers' second day of action. He took fifth overall in the men's 3-meter final with a season-best score of 359.50. Turnham finished with a season-best also. The freshman posted a score of 335.50, good enough for seventh.
On the women's side, Calabretta took eighth with a score of 269.90 in the final.
The divers climbed the tower on the final day of the competition.
Calabretta finished second in the women's platform final, while senior Shanna Schuelein placed sixth overall.
On the men's side, Youtsey placed seventh and a personal-best of 296.60.
Auburn's swim and dive team has its next three-day meet at the Georgia Invitational in Athens, Georgia Dec. 5-7.
(11/22/14 5:35am)
The Tigers fell 3-1 (13-25, 29-27, 25-22, 16-25) to the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa Friday night.
Auburn's (12-16, 4-11 SEC) eight service aces, the most since they defeated Georgia in the beginning of October, was not enough to stop Alabama's offense at Foster Auditorium.
The Tide (23-6, 11-4 SEC) hit .369 with 70 kills to Auburn's .217 and 40 kills.
Sophomore Breanna Barksdale led a strong Tigers' defense that out-blocked Alabama 9-4.
Barksdale's six blocks in the match gave her a total of 96 rejections this season. Two more and the sophomore will be second in Auburn's record book for single-season blocks. Junior Alyssa Ivey led the Tigers with 15 digs.
Sophomore Stephanie Campbell led Auburn on offense with 12 kills on 25 attempts for a team-high .440, and recorded a season-high three assists. Freshman Courtney Crable chipped in nine kills and two aces.
Alexa Filley, Auburn's record holder in single-season assists, had 30. The freshman also chipped in six digs, two blocks and an ace.
Auburn will take on LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for its final away match this season on Sunday at 1 p.m.
(02/24/15 2:17pm)
The 11th Annual Celebrity Home Run Derby took place at Plainsman Park Friday, benefiting the Hudson Family Foundation, which supports children and families in need throughout Alabama and Georgia.
The event, put on by Auburn baseball legend Tim Hudson, was won by fellow former Auburn baseball great Gabe Gross.
Gross hit seven out of the park in the first round, putting him in a playoff with former Tiger and SEC Player of the Year Hunter Morris. In the playoff, Gross hit only one, but Morris wasn't able to send one over the wall, giving Gross his second derby victory.
Other participants included former All-SEC catcher Ryan Jenkins, All-SEC outfielder Trent Mummey, Wes Helms, Auburn hitting coach Greg Norton, American League All-Star Josh Donaldson, and Hudson.
Mummey hit four homeruns to come in third place, Donaldson had two and Norton had one. Hudson, Jenkins and Helms all were unable to put one in the parking lot.
Donaldson said it was an honor for him to get to participate.
"Auburn obviously holds a special place in my heart," Donaldson said. "To be able to come back here and help Huddy and this foundation, anything I can do to help him, I'll do it."
Donaldson said that Hudson is one of the best people he's met in baseball career.
"He's accomplished so much in baseball," Donaldson said. "He's done a lot of great things to reperesent Auburn and his last name. That kind of stuff doesn't get made up about you. He's earned that."
Hudson addressed the crowed prior to the event to show his appreciation.
"I want to thank you for coming out and supporting our foundation," Hudson said. "Every year, this home run derby gets a little bigger and little better. Our foundation is something that's really special to Kim and I, we've been able to help a lot of families. We can't do it without people like you coming out and supporting us."