Head coach Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers announced three promotions for the 2022 college football season.
With the loss of Austin Davis, wide receiver coach Eric Kiesau will now be the offensive coordinator. He was among the top candidates to replace Davis following his abrupt departure. Kiesau has experience as the play caller at multiple stops, including under Harsin at Boise State. He was among the candidates prior to the hiring of Davis and now it is official.
Bert Watts recently left an opening at outside linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, and associate head coach. Auburn will promote Roc Bellantoni to outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He was on the staff as a defensive analyst. Most recently before joining Auburn as an analyst, he served as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for Utah State. He has 28 years of experience at the coaching level.
“One of the biggest things our players and program needs going from year one to year two with us is consistency – consistency with the system, the coaches and our plan for success,” Harsin said. “Coach Kiesau and Coach Bellantoni are excellent football coaches and teachers of the game with 44 years of Division I experience between them, including 22 combined years in coordinator roles. Both have been part of the relationship building process over this past year here at Auburn, with the team and staff. They understand fully and are bought in on our goal and process.” – via Auburn press release
Recently secondary coach Zac Etheridge was named among the top candidates to take a similar role with the Georgia Bulldogs. He opted to stay with his alma mater. Auburn announced he would be promoted to associate head coach with Watts’ departure.
With these announcements out of the way, this leaves the vacant role of quarterbacks coach left to be filled.