Tag: Jeff schmedding

Former Auburn defensive coordinator takes PAC-12 job

Jeff Schmedding first came to the team in 2021 with Bryan Harsin.

Auburn’s defensive coordinator for the 2022 season is heading out west.

Coach [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag], who served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator under coach Bryan Harsin and then under interim coach Cadillac Williams, is set to become the defensive coordinator at Washington State, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Schmedding will serve under Cougars head coach Jake Dickert.

Schmedding first came to Auburn as a linebackers coach in 2021 when head coach Bryan Harsin got hired. Harsin had previously worked with Schmedding at Boise State from 2019-20, where he served as both the linebackers coach and the defensive coordinator. Schmedding earned the distinction of being the only Harsin staffer retained at the end of 2022 when the team fired Harsin toward the end of the season, and he continued his job under Williams when the team went 2-2 to close out the year.

The Cougars weren’t too bad on defense in 2022, finishing the year ranked No. 38 in the nation in total defense, but Schmedding will look to improve a defensive unit that went 7-6 on the season and lost is bowl game to Fresno State.

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Photo Gallery: Auburn Football’s revamped staff leads its first practice

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.

Eli Drinkwitz says time at Auburn was “some of the most formative years I had”

The third year head coach at Missouri is set to return to where his college coaching career began on Sept. 24

Eli Drinkwitz will enter his third season of rebuilding Missouri’s football program in 2022, and for the first time in his head coaching tenure, he is set to return to where his college coaching career began.

Drinkwitz worked his way up from the high school ranks to land his first collegiate coaching job at Auburn in 2010. After working alongside [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] at Springdale High School in Arkansas during the 2004 season, Drinkwitz met back with Malzahn to serve as a Quality Control Coach on the Plains for two seasons.

When discussing his time at Auburn, Drinkwitz says that he shares the same sentiment that so many who have spent time in Auburn do by calling the university a special place.

“We had a great experience at Auburn,” Drinkwitz said Monday during his turn at the podium during SEC Media Days. “Once you’re a part of Auburn, you’re always a part of Auburn. Obviously, the experience to win a national championship (in 2010), I thought college football was relatively easy when that happened.”

His time at Auburn allowed Drinkwitz to learn valuable life lessons, and to develop many relationships, relationships that he has continued building at Missouri in the form of positions on his current staff.

“Curtis Luper is on my staff, Erik Link is on my staff, Ryan Russell, Brett Whiteside is on our staff, guys that I met while I was at Auburn,” Drinkwitz said.

Following his time at Auburn, Drinkwitz followed Malzahn to Arkansas State, where he would spend the 2012 season as the running backs coach.

Drinkwitz’s connection to Auburn does not end with Malzahn, however.

After Malzahn departed Arkansas State to return to Auburn as head coach in 2013, Drinkwitz remained at Arkansas State and was promoted to the co-offensive coordinator for current Auburn head coach, [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag]. He would remain with Harsin for three seasons, as he would follow Harsin to Boise State to serve as an assistant coach from 2014-15.

Drinkwitz says that entering the game against his former boss at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 24 is going to be a challenge.

“They’re going to be physical. (Harsin) is going to do a great job as the play-caller with a variety of schemes,” Drinkwitz says. “Defensively, I know he’s got [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag] calling the defense. They’re going to be multiple, aggressive. It will be a real test for us.”

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Auburn receives boost at EDGE from Transfer Portal

Auburn landed graduate transfer Marcus Bragg from Western Kentucky, filling a position need on defense.

Auburn Football filled an important need on defense Sunday.

According to Auburn Live, graduate transfer [autotag]Marcus Bragg[/autotag] of Western Kentucky has announced his commitment to Auburn, using his final year of eligibility to play for head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and the Tigers.

Bragg’s commitment comes after taking a visit to the Plains this weekend. While in Auburn, Bragg says that Auburn provides an atmosphere that makes him feel welcome.

“While on my official visit, I was surrounded by great people,” Bragg told Auburn Live. “I felt the love. Everyone was so welcoming. The atmosphere at Auburn is way better than anywhere I’ve been.”

Bragg met with EDGE coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag], defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag], as well as Harsin during his visit. After discussions with those three coaches, he says that he feels that he can thrive in Auburn’s defensive scheme.

“I chose Auburn because it best fits my athletic abilities on the field,” Bragg said. “I will be able to make a lot of plays because of the defensive scheme.”

Bragg played three seasons for the Hilltoppers, where he recorded a total of 38 tackles with three tackles for loss. Last season, Bragg appeared in 14 games for Western Kentucky, where he made 26 stops and 2.5 sacks. His best game of the 2021 season was against UTSA, where he made four tackles.

The addition of Bragg provides needed depth at the EDGE position. Bragg joins Derick Hall, Eku Leota, and Dylan Brooks as scholarship players at the position. Hall led the unit in tackles last season with 52, which included a team-leading nine sacks. Hall and Leota led the tackles for loss category with 12.5 and 10.0 respectively.

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Tigers extend offer to twin brothers from Canada

The Auburn coaching staff extended offers to Canadian twins Tyclean and Tychoolhill Luman. The two are in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

On Monday, the Auburn coaching staff extended an offer to 2024 defensive lineman Tychoolhill Luman and 2024 edge Tyclean Luman. After a good showing at one of Auburn’s summer camps, the Canadian natives added their ninth offer.

The Luman twins are originally from Canada but moved to the states to enhance their college recruitment. The two now play for Miami International Academy in Miami, Florida. The school began its football program in 2021. The two twin brothers are sure to be instrumental in the team’s success this upcoming season as both will be rising juniors.

Tychoolhill is listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. Meanwhile, his brother, Tyclean is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. The Tigers’ coaching staff could likely use the two of them in a variety of different roles. The two will likely need to add some muscle weight in order to play on the interior. However, they have the size to play as an edge rusher in defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding’s defense.

While the Tigers have extended offers, several other Division 1 programs have as well. Schools like Florida State, Ole Miss, Louisville, and Syracuse have offered thus far. As mentioned previously, the brothers will be juniors in high school so it is very likely that other schools come into the fold. The Tigers would love to bolster the class with the addition of these two ascending recruits in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Members of Auburn coaching staff visit Madhouse Training

The athletic facility in Montgomery is a known spot for Alabama recruits to train.

On Tuesday, Auburn running backs coach [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag], defensive backs coach [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag], and defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag] made a trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit Madhouse Training. Madhouse Training is a facility for local athletes to work out at with elite training. The Montgomery area has become a hotbed for recruits over the years, and ultimately, the three coaches are in heavy pursuit of both five-star James Smith and four-star Jaquavious Russaw.

The two recently announced their top eleven schools. Both Alabama and Auburn were in the mix. It is interesting to see the two coaches making the trip today. After four-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins released his top five schools and Auburn was not listed, the Tigers can’t afford to lose two more highly-touted recruits from right up the road.

It wasn’t clarified as to why both Williams and Schmedding were at Madhouse Training. However, both Smith and Russaw work out very often at the training facility. The two have long played for Carver High School and are seen by many as a package deal. [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and his staff already seem to be making a valiant effort to land the two of them.

Russaw is listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds and Smith is listed at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds. With those measurables, Russaw likely plays as an edge rusher while Smith plays defensive tackle. It is also worth noting that prospects Vysen Lang and Jeremiah Cobb also work out at the facility. All four of the prospects have the Tigers high on their list. It is essential for the coaching staff to give their best efforts in order to land these coveted recruits.

Auburn listed in 2023 four-star safety’s final six

His other schools include Penn State, Clemson, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Oregon.

On Monday, 2023 four-star safety Dakaari Nelson released his top six schools, including the Tigers in his list. The five other schools in the mix are Penn State, Clemson, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Oregon.

Nelson is an Alabama native standing at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds. Here is just a snippet of what 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna said about Nelson:

Three-phase player, displays above average athleticism in all phases of the game.

Positioned the majority of snaps at the safety position, also sees some time at the corner position. Flashes some good feel and instincts as a press man defender. Wins with physicality and length at the point of attack.

The Tigers will lose several of their players on the back-end of their defense when the 2022 season transpires. Several defensive backs that will likely leave are [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag]. Both may very well enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Auburn’s coaching staff could certainly utilize Nelson in a similar capacity if he were to choose the Tigers.

His length and athleticism are something that defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag] could use. With several other upper-echelon schools in pursuit, it will be crucial for Auburn to get Nelson on campus during the summer and in the fall if they want a chance. The fact that he is an Alabama kid also helps the Tigers in this one. The coaching staff loves Nelson and would definitely welcome him as an addition to the 2023 recruiting class.

Caleb Wooden making most of early opportunities

Caleb Wooden has had a great start to spring practice.

Every spring practice there are players who step up and outperform people’s expectations for them. One of those players this year is true freshman safety [autotag]Caleb Wooden[/autotag].

He may be the younger brother of star defensive lineman [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] but he is well on his way to making a name for himself. The younger Wooden has only been on campus a short amount of time but is already showing his playmaking ability.

When [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] was asked about a recent interception by Wooden he had to clarify which one.

“Are you talking about today?” Harsin asked. “He had another one the other day. Somehow, somehow, he got a screenshot of it and I’m not sure if he cropped his toe off the white line or whatever but it was good, so he got the Snickers for that.

“He’s around the ball and when he gets a chance to get his hands on it, he comes down with it quite a bit. He continues to be around the ball. Young player, learning, he’s just getting the basics of the defense right now but he does go out there and work hard. Very much like his brother, those guys work. He has fun out there, I think he’s got some confidence that when the ball is in the air, he’s going to be able to come down with it.”

In addition to his interceptions, he also returned a fumble for a touchdown earlier in spring practice. It’s not just his play that has impressed his coaches, but also his energy and how he carries himself.

“Man, with him, I think it starts with energy,” new defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag] said. “He’s got a good vibe about him. You get around him, I think that’s something to be said, obviously, with how he was raised and things like that. We talk to our guys that, ultimately, you’re judged and remembered by how you made people feel. When that guy’s in the room, there’s more energy, that’s the bottom line.”

Wooden has taken advantage of Auburn’s lack of depth at safety and will look to continue to show that he deserves playing time as a freshman during the rest of spring practice. Auburn’s spring will end with the A-Day game in Jordan-Hare Stadium on April 9.

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Bryan Harsin among coaches with the most to prove

There is no question which coach has the most to prove.

While Bruce Pearl has the Auburn men’s basketball team on the verge of locking down a No. 1 seed, the talk on the Plains is still surrounding the Tigers football coach.

In a recent panel of national pundits, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg chose the Auburn head coach when asked who is under the most pressure.

Uh, hello, Bryan Harsin? I can’t believe I’m the first to select the embattled Auburn coach, who survived a weeklong university (read: booster-led) inquiry into his program. Harsin must feel emboldened to still have his job, but he absolutely must deliver in a big way to keep the gig for 2023 and beyond.

I think it is pretty clear that Harsin would be under the most pressure for the 2022 college football season. In most cases, and I want to emphasize most, second-year head coaches aren’t usually looking over their shoulders. Harsin was put on notice when his job security came under question in early February.

You can point to a plethora of reasons why Harsin is under fire. The board likely wanted someone else when athletic director Allen Greene made the hire choosing someone who doesn’t fit the “good ole boy” system. Harsin doesn’t do the glad-handing that the boosters want, so the former Boise State head coach is under immense pressure.

There are some concerns on the roster, but Harsin probably has the coordinator tandem — Jeff Schmedding (defense) and Eric Kiesau (offense) — that he should have selected from the start. Both coordinators worked with Harsin at Boise State and know what he wants schematically.

Maybe Harsin will never be “SEC enough” to win at Auburn, but he gets another chance to win with a structure that generated success at Boise State. I’m fascinated to see how players respond to him, and whether Auburn overcomes a tough schedule to surprise people in the SEC, or regresses and leads the school to make an easy (albeit expensive) coaching change. -Rittenberg

There are plenty of concerns when it comes to this staff and the roster. Much the reason why I am a bit more “pessimistic” when it comes to my record predictions. Kiesau and Schmedding were likely the right picks for Harsin, in terms of surrounding himself with coordinators that he trusts.

I am just not quite sure it will work out the way he or the fan base wants, but there is work to be done. It could all come together for Harsin and the staff. Or the boosters could get what they want and a new head coaching search will begin in 2022.

A look at the new Auburn staff under Bryan Harsin

The on-field coaching staff is now complete.

Following the addition of new wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, head coach Bryan Harsin has officially filled all of his vacancies ahead of spring football.

The most recent vacancy was created when Eric Kiesau moved over to quarterbacks and accepted a promotion to be the offensive coordinator. Harsin brought in a very respected wide receivers coach from the NFL level. How he is on the recruiting trail remains to be seen. Hilliard’s entire coaching career has been at the professional level.

On defense and special teams, the Tigers needed to act swiftly to replace Bert Watts’ vacancy. The special teams coordinator and edge linebackers coach left to rejoin the Denver Broncos staff. Harsin countered by promoting Roc Bellantoni into that role.

We break down the on-field new staff under Bryan Harsin for the 2022 college football season.