Here is a look at the first practice under interim head coach Carnell Williams.
Just one day after the announcement of the dismissal of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag], offensive coordinator [autotag]Eric Kiesau[/autotag], tight ends coach [autotag]Brad Bedell[/autotag], and several other staffers, a revamped coaching staff was constructed and revealed to the public.
The staff, led by interim head coach Carnell Williams, includes new roles for seven assistant coaches and staffers. Several coaches’ roles remain the same, including defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag], defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Brumbaugh[/autotag], linebackers coach [autotag]Christian Robinson[/autotag], and special team coordinator [autotag]Roc Bellatoni[/autotag].
Tuesday, the new-look staff held its first practice, as they prepare to coach their first game this Saturday at Mississippi State. Here is a look at the best images from Tuesday’s practice, courtesy of Auburn Athletics photographer Todd Van Emst.
Bryan Harsin wasn’t the only Auburn coach let go on Monday.
The Auburn Tigers are wasting no time making changes.
247Sports’ Nathan King reported on Monday that Auburn is firing additional staff members along with head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag]. Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Brad Bedell are the biggest names, as the two were among Harsin’s Boise State-related hires, but the team has also laid off some additional support staffers.
Kiesau had been at Boise State from 2017-20 and followed Harsin to Auburn. He was initially the team’s wide receivers coach in 2021 before being promoted as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Kiesau was the team’s playcaller on offense before being fired.
Bedell, meanwhile, had been at Boise State for the same amount of time. He served as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator for the Broncos, and despite playing guard at the college and professional level, was named as the team’s tight ends coach for 2021-22.
The team’s defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, who was Boise State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Harsin from 2019-20, was not fired by the team. Running backs coach Cadillac Williams will take over as interim head coach when the team plays Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi on Saturday.
This is one of the best position groups on Auburn’s roster.
Auburn’s tight end room is one of the deepest on the roster and has several versatile players.
[autotag]John Samuel Shenker[/autotag] is the unquestioned leader after catching 33 passes for 413 yards last season, both program records, but [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Frazier[/autotag], and even true-freshman [autotag]Micah Riley-Ducker [/autotag] bring something interesting to the position.
With the uncertainty at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, this group could be asked to do a lot but has the talent to do just that. Tight-end coach [autotag]Brad Bedell[/autotag] has done a great job filling this room with players who have skill sets that complement each other.
In the last several years, Auburn has recruited a handful of high-rated tight ends. This year it looks like we’ll finally see them emerge as regular contributors on the Tigers’ offense.
It’s inexcusable that this position has been underutilized as of late, but Bryan Harsin realizes the advantages he has within this unit. From 2002-2005 he served at Boise State’s tight ends coach during which the Broncos’ scoring offense led the nation in scoring twice and never once fell out of the top 10. In his final year as tight ends coach, four Boise State tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 27 receptions, 298 yards, and three touchdowns.
Last season four Auburn tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 20 receptions, 178 yards, and 0 touchdowns.
In January Harsin announced the addition of former Boise State offensive line coach Brad Bedell to his Auburn staff to assume the role of tight ends coach. In Bedell’s four seasons at Boise State he saw nine offensive lineman receive 13 All-Mountain West honors. When Harsin named Bedell as tight ends coach he said,
“Tight end play is a critical part of our offensive attack and Coach Bedell brings a unique perspective to what we want to do with that position group. Brad has coached with me at a couple different places and is a relationship driven coach with six years of NFL playing experience, making him an exceptional recruiter. His versatility as a coach and strong recruiting ability make him a great fit for the Auburn football family.”
Bedell and Harsin will have no problem finding talent in this position. Outside of linebackers Auburn’s most talented group very would could be its tight ends. Here’s a look at Auburn’s tight end corps that is poised to make a statement this fall:
Grant Loy to John Samuel Shenker for the 2-point conversion. This was the first time Auburn ran the swinging gate 2-point conversion play since 2013. #Auburnpic.twitter.com/mQZMzN3gkp
2020 stats: 9 receptions, 97 yards, 26-yard season long reception vs Alabama
Buzz: Shenker must balance football, baseball, and school once again this spring. The infielder and tight end was absent in Saturday’s open practice due to Auburn baseball’s matchup against Ole Miss. So far this baseball season, Shenker has 3 runs, 3 hits, and 3 RBIs. The veteran of this tight end corps, Shenker still makes himself available to practice when he can and has been praised by Harsin for his tenacious work ethic.
2020 stats: 14 rush yards on 5 carries, 11-yard season long vs Arkansas/7 receptions, 57 yards, 16-yard season long vs LSU
Buzz: For Ole Miss JJ Pegues will always be the one that got away. Maybe it’s his frame that let Pegues escape to Auburn out of Ole Miss’ backyard, but don’t let that deceive you. Out of high school Pegues was ranked nationally as a top 10 tight end prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. His versatility at the line and in motion make him capable of creating nightmare matchups against defenses. In Saturday’s spring practice Pegues flattened Auburn LB Zakoby McClain while lined up at fullback. Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo says that a focal point this spring has been moving Pegues around and playing him in a lot of positions.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Deal, sophomore
6’5″, 255 lbs
2020 stats: 2 receptions, 11 yards
Buzz: As a senior Deal was ranked by ESPN as the nation’s 10th highest rated tight end. Deal didn’t see game action until the Arkansas game last year and only recorded stats against South Carolina and Mississippi State. In Saturday’s open practice Deal was given first team reps and lined up in the slot as well as at fullback. His highlight from Saturday was an impressive one-handed grab on a great pass by Bo Nix.
Buzz: Frazier didn’t see game action until the Tigers played Tennessee last season and recorded stats against Mississippi State and Northwestern. As a high school prospect, ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports rated Frazier as a top-25 tight end. During spring practice on Saturday Frazier impressed media, coaches, and fans by showing out as a passing game mismatch.
2020 stats: injured in 2019, saw game action against LSU
Buzz: As a senior, Fromm was rated by ESPN as the nation’s 8th highest ranked tight end prospect. He comes from a pedigree of talented brothers: his twin Dylan plays quarterback for Mercer and his older brother Jake played quarterback at Georgia and is now with the Buffalo Bills. In Saturday’s practice Fromm got several first team reps.
Auburn continues its hot streak on the recruiting trail in the Lone Star State as 6-foot-5, 215-pound ⭐️⭐️⭐️ tight end Landen King commits to the Tigers over offers from Texas, UGA, and Arizona St. among others. In 2019, King collected 53 receptions for 853 yds & 9 TDs #WarEaglepic.twitter.com/poFyTzQIfL
Buzz: Rated the ninth overall tight end prospect nationally by ESPN, King is a matchup nightmare in the passing game and will excel as a playmaker in Auburn’s offense.
The Tigers have plenty of depth at tight end with Pearl River Community College transfer Hayden Brice (senior) and Flynn Driscoll (junior). Bryan Harsin is a man with a plan and after Saturday’s practice it appears that he aims to get the talented corps of tight ends more involved in the offense.
Bryan Harsin has brought yet another assistant over from Boise State in Brad Bedell who will be Auburn’s tight ends coach.
Another hire. Another Boise State assistant.
On Sunday, Auburn athletics announced that Bryan Harsin has hired Brad Bedell to become the Tigers’ tight end coach.
“Tight end play is a critical part of our offensive attack and Coach Bedell brings a unique perspective to what we want to do with that position group,” Harsin said. “Brad has coached with me at a couple different places and is a relationship driven coach with six years of NFL playing experience, making him an exceptional recruiter. His versatility as a coach and strong recruiting ability make him a great fit for the Auburn football family.”
Bedell spent the last four seasons working for Harsin and the Broncos as their offensive line coach, helping mentor five first-team All Mountain West Conference players.
“I’m really excited to be a part of a tremendous football program like Auburn, that has had great tradition and success over the years,” Bedell said. “Working with Coach Harsin at Boise State and the culture he created is something special and I look forward to being a part of that at Auburn. The quality of young men in this program has me excited. I can’t wait to get started.”
