Two former Auburn football players are set to join Bryan Harsin’s inaugural staff. It was announced Friday evening that Cadillac Williams will return to Auburn as running backs coach and Zac Etheridge would join as the defensive backs coach.
As a player at Auburn, Williams finished his career with 3,831 total yards and 45 touchdowns. Cadillac holds the record for most rushing attempts with 741 and helped lead Auburn to a perfect 13-0 season his senior year (2004).
Williams joined Auburn’s staff under Gus Malzahn in 2019. In his previous two seasons as running backs coach his backs have showcased nine 100-yard games, three SEC weekly honors, and SEC Freshman of the Year accolades. This previous season, freshman runningback Tank Bigsby led all freshman in the SEC with 834 rushing yards. He is the first freshman in school history to finish with three straight 100-yard games.
He’s excited to return back to the Plains. In a statement he said,
“Auburn is a special place to me and I’m appreciative for this opportunity to be a part of Coach Harsin’s staff and coach at the school that made me the person I am today. I’ve enjoyed getting to talk football with Coach Harsin and can’t wait to be part of something special.”
Head coach Bryan Harsin knew immediately the positive impact and potential Cadillac creates at Auburn:
“I’m fired up to have Cadillac on our staff. After several conversations it was easy to see how much passion he has and his desire to learn, grow and develop in the coaching profession. Just spending time with him you see why he is the ultimate ambassador for Auburn football, and that goes beyond just being an elite player but an elite person.”
As a freshman, safety Zac Etheridge started 12 of 13 games for the Tigers in 2007 before a life-changing neck injury nearly ended his playing career in 2009 against Ole Miss. After nine months of rehabilitation, Etheridge returned to the field in 2010 as a captain and helped lead Auburn to its first national championship in 53 years.
Etheridge’s first coaching job came as a graduate assistant at Penn State. He then served as an assistant at Georgia Tech, Western Carolina and Louisiana before joining Dana Holgerson at the University of Houston. At Houston, Etheridge’s leadership has produced an All-American in CB Marcus Jones and all-conference player in Damarion Williams.
Etheridge was high at the list for Harsin who said,
“Zac Etheridge is a rising star in this profession and is a great addition to Coach Mason’s defense working with cornerbacks. He has done a fantastic job in a short period of time developing and recruiting talented players. As a former Auburn standout, Zac understands the rigors of competing at the highest level, and what is required to be an Auburn man.”
Etheridge, who will coach alongside new DC Derek Mason, is elated to return home to Auburn,
“It is an honor to return to my alma mater as a member of Coach Harsin’s staff. I firmly believe in his vision and I am excited to get to work. Under his leadership, I have no doubt that our staff will develop our young men both on and off the field. We will absolutely embody the championship mindset that Auburn deserves. Auburn and its people mean a great deal to me, and I am very thankful for this opportunity. War Eagle!”