Tag: Jeff schmedding

Auburn targets another four-star defensive tackle from Georgia

Auburn targeting another four-star defensive tackle.

The hunt for defensive line help continues for the Auburn Tigers staff and new defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding.

The staff recently ventured into Georgia to extend an offer to four-star defensive lineman, Kayden McDonald, of North Gwinnett. The outlook at the position beyond the 2022 season is rather bleak. Schmedding and defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh has made a very concerted effort to add depth to the position.

The Tigers recently offered Jamaa Jarrett and Sydir Mitchell. Hopefully as Auburn continues to stockpile offers in the 2023 cycle, they can load up on a few commitments to give the unit some depth and flexibility.

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Kayden McDonald’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247 4 225 25 31
Rivals 4 155 16 5
ESPN 4 288 27 20
On3 Recruiting 4 273 28 36
247 Composite 4 223 22 33

Vitals

Hometown Suwanee, Georgia
Projected Position Defensive Tackle
Height 6-3
Weight 310
Class Four-Star

Recruitment

  • Offered on Feb. 17, 2022
  • No visit scheduled

Offers

Crystal Ball

Film

Twitter

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Report: Former DC Derek Mason took a $400K pay cut for a lateral move

Mason took a massive pay cut to leave.

As of late, the Auburn Tigers football program has been in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

On Jan. 22 it was reported that defensive coordinator Derek Mason would step down from his post with Auburn. He would then head west to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he would take on the same role with the Cowboys under head coach Mike Gundy.

Gundy was looking to replace his defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles who left for the same position with the Ohio State Buckeyes. It was odd to see Mason leave for the same position at a Big 12 school. You can argue that it was a step down given the trajectory of the conference, especially since they will be losing the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns to the SEC in the near future.

Regardless of how one feels about the move, it didn’t come as a surprise given the volatility of the staff under Bryan Harsin in his first year on the job. Mason was the fourth coordinator to leave the job in the 14 months under Harsin, this time of his own volition. We didn’t know that he wouldn’t be the last prior to National Signing Day on Feb. 3. Recently hired offensive coordinator Austin Davis would step down from his post just over a week later.

Since that day, it has become a whirlwind on the plains. Harsin opted to promote Jeff Schmedding to defensive coordinator and then begin the search for his new offensive coordinator, his fifth replacement early on in his tenure.

On Monday it was reported that Derek Mason’s new contract would pay him $1.1 million per year over the next two seasons. According to the coaching salary database provided by USA TODAY Sports, Mason took a pay cut of $400,000 to leave Auburn. In 2021 his contract paid him $1.5 million.

Why would a very well-respected defensive coach take that sort of pay cut to leave for Oklahoma State? Plain and simple, that is how mad he was. At least that is one opinion being provided.

Just another day at Auburn it appears.

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Former Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason named Oklahoma State defensive coordinator

Alrighty then.

Derek Mason has found his next job.

The former Auburn defensive coordinator was named Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator Wednesday, the program announced. He left Auburn four days ago.

“After meaningful discussions with Coach Gundy these past few weeks about his vision for the program, it became apparent that leading the defense for the Cowboys was the right fit for me,” Mason said in a release. “I look forward to working with the student-athletes, coaches and staff as they continue to build a winning culture of success, inclusion and integrity on and off the field.”

Mason spent just one year at Auburn. The former head coach at Vanderbilt joined Bryan Harsin’s first staff and led a defense that had clear strengths and weaknesses.

The Tigers ranked 27th nationally in scoring defense (21.8 points per game), 21st in rushing yards per attempt (3.5), 36th on third downs (36 percent), and 24th in red-zone touchdown defense (51 percent). However, Auburn struggled against the pass, allowing opponents to complete 64.2 percent of their attempts (99th nationally).

Mason was replaced by Jeff Schmedding, who coached inside linebacker’s last season.

Auburn announces defensive staff hires

Every day we shufflin.

Auburn will have a new man running the defense next season.

On Saturday, the Tigers announced that Jeff Schmedding has been promoted to defensive coordinator as Derek Mason stepped down.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Mason for his leadership as our defensive coordinator this past season and wish nothing but the best for him on his next steps,” Bryan Harsin said. “The decision to leave Auburn was not an easy one for him, and he will always be a part of the Auburn family.

“Coach Schmedding was at Coach Mason’s side day after day getting our defense prepared and ready. He is a tremendous defensive coach, who has coordinated championship defenses and is a proven winner. I know our defense will take the next steps forward under Coach Schmedding’s leadership.”

The Tigers also announced the hiring of Jimmy Brumbaugh as the new defensive line coach.

“As we worked through this entire process, we were able to zero in and find two defensive assistant coaches who fit the coaching criteria and expectations we must have,” Harsin said. “Jimmy Brumbaugh is an Auburn Man with an extensive resume that includes several SEC schools and a long list of players he’s developed who have gone on to play in the NFL. He will be a veteran presence and great teacher of the game for our men up front.”

Christian Robinson will be coming aboard as the linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator.

“A coach who was literally raised with SEC football,” Harsin said. “Played in this league and has coached the last seven years at four different SEC programs. He’s a humble and hungry coach that we can’t wait to get around our backers and the rest of the defense.”

Zac Etheridge will now serve as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He was in charge of the cornerbacks in 2021. Bert Watts has added the title of associate head coach and will continue as the special teams coordinator and coach of the edge linebackers.

Auburn Spring Football: Linebackers primed for another big season

Auburn’s linebacker corps featuring Owen Pappoe and Zakoby McClain should be one of the top units in the SEC.

Linebacker was one of the strengths of the defense a season ago and with the return of Owen Pappoe and Zakoby McClain, the corps could be even better in 2021.

The group will be without team leader K.J. Britt and is now under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Derek Mason and position coaches Jeff Schmedding and Bert Watts but has the talent and depth to help lead Auburn’s new-look defense. 

Projected depth chart

Outside linebacker

T.D. Moultry, senior, nine tackles in 11 games.

Cam Riley, sophomore, nine tackles in 11 games, made one start.

Inside linebacker

Zakoby McClain, senior, led the SEC with 113 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, started nine games and played in all 11.

Chandler Wooten, senior, opted out of the 2020 season.

Inside linebacker 

Owen Pappoe, junior, 93 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss, started all 11 games.

Wesley Steiner, sophomore, three tackles in nine games.

Departed: 

K.J. Britt, graduated, 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, started two games before injury ended season

Outlook:

Auburn’s linebacker group was without two critical players last season after Chandler Wooten opted out and Britt suffered an injury early in the season but they were still one of the best in the SEC.

This was thanks to the stellar play of McClain and Pappoe and why expectations for the group are once again so high.

McClain emerged as one of the best linebackers in the SEC, leading the conference and tying for the FBS lead in tackles with 113 tackles. After not making any of the All-SEC teams, he is ready to prove himself even more in his senior campaign.

Pappoe has emerged as one of the most versatile players on the defense, creating pressure whenever he is sent on blitzes and has the speed to drop back into coverage.

His versatility should mesh well with Mason’s system which will ask Pappoe to do a little bit of everything.

The duo will be backed up by Wooten and Wesley Steiner. Wooten is returning after opting out a season ago and will provide some more experience after appearing in 45 games throughout his career. Steiner played in nine games as a freshman and should see his role continue to grow.

T.D. Moultry appears to be playing the edge rusher/outside linebacker role and the new staff will look to get the most out of him after he has struggled with injuries, penalties and inconsistent play held him back under the previous staff. Moultry has the ability to play inside and outside so he could see snaps at several different positions along the front seven.  

Riley played in nine games as a true freshman and has the potential to play inside linebacker or along the outside. With Pappoe and McClain clogging up the middle a move outside would seem to be a good way to get the talented Riley onto the field.

Auburn names Jeff Schmedding inside linebackers coach, defensive run game coordinator

Bryan Harsin has brought another assistant over from Boise State in Jeff Schmedding who will serve as inside linebackers coach.

Yet another assistant from Boise State is joining Bryan Harsin’s staff.

On Saturday, Auburn announced the hiring of Jeff Schmedding as the new inside linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator.

“When you look at the defenses Coach Schmedding coordinated in Boise, they were championship caliber, so I know the work ethic and preparation he brings every single day,” Harsin said. “He is a veteran presence on this staff that makes others around him better. The versatility he brings with the linebackers and connecting the attacking middle of our Auburn defense will complement the vision of Coach Mason as a whole.”

Schmedding had served as the inside linebackers coach for the Broncos in 2020 after coaching the outside linebackers in 2019.

“I want to thank Coach Harsin for the opportunity to be a part of his staff at Auburn,” Schmedding said. “My family and I are very humbled and honored to be a part of such a great university like Auburn. I’m excited to get to work and make the Auburn family proud.”

Report: Former Boise co-defensive coordinators to join Auburn staff

New Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin has reportedly hired two of his assistants at Boise State to join the Tigers staff.

It has already been a busy day for Bryan Harsin.

Earlier it was reported that former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason will join Harsin’s staff at Auburn as the defensive coordinator and now a new report says that two members of his staff at Boise State, Spencer Danielson and Jeff Schmedding, will also be coming to the Plains. The two were co-defensive coordinators for the Broncos under Harsin.

Per AL.com, Danielson will join the Tigers in some variety of defensive role. He is currently serving as the Broncos interim head coach.

Adam Rittenberg reported that Schmedding will be the new linebackers coach for Auburn, replacing Travis Williams.

During Auburn’s loss to Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl, Harsin joined the television broadcast and talked about forming his staff.

“We’ve got to be able to put a staff together and get the right people in to be a part of our program,” Harsin said. “We’re focused on doing the things at Auburn that we have to do to be successful as we move towards this next semester and getting these guys back.”