Tag: ron roberts

247Sports names Auburn a winner of the coaching carousel

There is plenty of excitement about Hugh Freeze coming to the Plains.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has yet to coach a game as Auburn’s head coach but there is plenty of optimism around his tenure.

While some of this is the excitement that Bryan Harsin has been replaced and that the next head coach surely won’t be as disastrous, Brandon Marcello of 247Sports believes there was a lot to like about Auburn hiring Freeze. In fact, he named Auburn one of his winners of the coaching carousel for the hire.

Freeze, however, is the man who has proven capable of not just challenging Nick Saban but is also a threat to beat him every year — even in seasons Freeze has less talent. He did it at Ole Miss and he’ll do it again at Auburn, where talent is not in short supply. The trajectory has certainly changed for the Tigers. Freeze quickly turned Auburn into a top-5 spot in the Transfer Portal while elevating a high school recruiting class that ranked in the 60s nationally under Harsin to 17th in a matter of weeks, according to the 247Sports Composite.

While having a good head coach is important, it is equally important that he surrounds himself with good coordinators and assistant coaches. Freeze appears to have done this by retaining several stars from the previous coaching staff and bringing in his guys.

There is no better example than him retaining and promoting [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] who helped bring Auburn’s program back to life after he was named the interim head coach to end the season. He also retained ace recruiting [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag], who has already landed several key recruits.

The staff Freeze built is anchored by Auburn legend Cadillac Williams, who successfully lifted the Tigers out of the dirt as interim head coach in November, and veteran coordinators in former Tulsa head coach [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] and Baylor defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag], who turned down overtures from Arkansas to choose Auburn. Freeze also brought former Auburn receiver [autotag]Marcus Davis[/autotag] home to coach receivers and hired his right-hand recruiting man at Ole Miss in 2012: secondary coach [autotag]Wes McGriff[/autotag].

The staff will soon have its first test as spring practice is set to start on Feb. 27 and end with the A-Day game on April 8.

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Which transfer pairs best with defensive coordinator Ron Roberts?

This combination could be salient next season.

Auburn’s transfer portal haul opens the door for many new stars to emerge for the Tigers next season, but there is one transfer that could see a giant growth in potential due to the development he will experience under the guidance of defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag].

In a list titled 7 particularly interesting transfer/defensive coordinator combinations, On3 says that incoming transfer [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] meshes well with Roberts, and is interested to see just how productive Rogers can be under his new defensive coordinator.

Rogers burst onto the scene in 2022 while at Kentucky, where he played in all 13 games and totaled 450 snaps at defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus. His step forward last season could set him up for greater success in 2023 says On3’s Mike Huguenin.

Rogers (6 feet 3, 332 pounds) was a part-time starter at Kentucky in 2021, then moved into the starting lineup full-time in ’22. Rogers had 35 tackles in 2022. He didn’t make many splash plays, but that’s not the point. His middle-of-the-line presence is great for Roberts’ style of play. Roberts had been DC at Baylor, and Rogers figures to play the role that 358-pound Siaki Ika did for the Bears. He’ll hold down the fort as an immovable object in the middle of the line, taking up two blockers and letting a safety or a linebacker make the play. Auburn also added veteran DT [autotag]Lawrence Johnson[/autotag] (Purdue) out of the transfer portal. But Rogers’ size and potential space-eating impact make him more important.

Rogers is one of 12 additions that Auburn made during the first window of the transfer portal period, which is fifth-best in the country according to  247Sports rankings. As a member of the 2020 recruiting cycle, Rogers was the No. 7 overall defensive tackle, and the best overall player from the state of Michigan. He was Kentucky’s top signee that season in a class that was ranked No. 25 in the nation.

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Auburn offers brother of former Tigers player

Keenan Britt’s recruitment is a while away — he’s a member of the 2026 recruiting class.

The brother a former Tigers linebacker has received an offer from Auburn.

2026 defensive end recruit Keenan Britt, who is the brother of former Tigers linebacker [autotag]K.J. Britt[/autotag], was offered by Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Keenan plays high school football in Oxford, Alabama.

Despite being a prospect so far out from committing to a team, Keenan is still getting interest from schools. Both Arkansas and UCF have offered him, according to On3, making his offer from Auburn the third one he’s gotten. This one could be the most important, however, as it is a legacy offer that could possibly sway him to join Hugh Freeze’s staff over any other school that may try to win his favor.

His brother K.J. certainly made a mark on the Plains. K.J. played with the Tigers for four years and recorded 119 total tackles for a linebacker, 13 for loss, and played in the Senior Bowl after his final year was cut short in 2020 — Britt was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and currently plays on special teams. While it is too early to see if Keenan will follow his brother’s path, but he’ll be a name to watch in a few years when his recruitment draws nearer.

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Paul Finebaum is impressed with Auburn’s offseason momentum

The famed radio show host says that Auburn has the most momentum of any program in the SEC currently.

Despite finishing the 2022 season with a 5-7 record, Auburn Football has taken a drastic turn for the better since the offseason began.

Following Auburn’s loss to Alabama in the Iron Bowl, athletic director John Cohen announced the hiring of [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] as the program’s next football coach. Not long after being officially named as the new leading man, Freeze got to work constructing a staff and recruiting the best players for his system.

The result? A stellar unit of coaches including former Tigers [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag], and [autotag]Marcus Davis[/autotag], in addition to reputable coordinators [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] and [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag], and a veteran defensive backs coach in [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag].

Auburn also turned its’ recruiting class around. Prior to Freeze’s arrival, Auburn was ranked in the sixties for the 2023 recruiting cycle. Now, Auburn sits at No. 18 according to 247Sports, and continues to welcome viable options from the transfer portal.

All of this added momentum that Auburn has built in two short months has caught the attention of famed radio show host Paul Finebaum.

In a recent episode of “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” from JOX 94.5 in Birmingham, Finebaum says that Auburn has the most momentum heading into next season of any fellow SEC program.

“To me, for the first time in three years, Auburn is moving forward versus just being stuck in the mud and with a coach who simply didn’t understand the way the current structure of college football works. I’m not predicting anything dramatic yet, because I really think we need to get a better look at what the roster looks like. But at least I feel momentum at Auburn, and that is a new story because we haven’t seen that in a while.”

In addition to a top-20 high school recruiting class, Auburn is currently No. 3 in 247Sports Transfer Portal rankings, behind only Florida State and Colorado.

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New Auburn assistant up for defensive line coach of the year

One of Hugh Freeze’s new hires is among the best position coaches in the country.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has hired one of the best assistant coaches in the country according to Football Scoop.

[autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag], who recently followed Freeze to Auburn from Liberty to serve as defensive line coach, has been nominated by Football Scoop for defensive line coach of the year.

Liberty’s front unit was led by Kendy Charles and Durrell Johnson, who recorded 60 and 58 tackles respectively. Johnson led the Flames with nine sacks, and tackles for loss with 27.5. Johnson was also Liberty’s highest-graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus with an 81.0.

Dennis Osagiede was also a key piece to Liberty’s defensive success. He was second on the team with six sacks, and 12.5 tackles for loss. As a team, Liberty made 109 tackles for loss, which ranks at the top of College Football, and recorded 45 sacks, which ranks No. 3 in the country.

Garrett is one of three former Liberty assistants that new head coach Hugh Freeze brought to the Plains, joining tight ends coach [autotag]Ben Aigamaua[/autotag] and linebackers coach [autotag]Josh Aldridge[/autotag]. Garrett will serve as the defensive line coach for defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag].

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New hires to Hugh Freeze’s staff become official

Here’s a rundown of the hires that Hugh Freeze has made, and what their role will be within the staff.

Being a newly-hired head coach during this day and time has become challenging.

Not only do you have to construct a new staff, but you must do that while maintaining and improving your recruiting class before the beginning of the early signing period.

Auburn’s [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has done a great job juggling both tasks. He recently signed the nation’s No. 19 recruiting class, which is a vast improvement from before his hire. He has also put together a respectable staff that is sure to go a long way in rebuilding the program to become one of the best in the SEC.

Freeze’s staff is headlined by [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag], who will serve as offensive coordinator. Montgomery is best known for being the mastermind behind Baylor’s high-powered offenses during the early 2010s and for being the college offensive coordinator for quarterbacks Case Keenum and Robert Griffin III.

Other key hires are [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag], who are retained from the previous staff. Williams served as interim head coach following the dismissal of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag], and led the Tigers to a 2-2 record to close out the season. Freeze says that one of his first priorities when landing the Auburn job was to keep Williams on staff.

“I had already done my homework on people that we had in common, friends, I knew that my first priority was “I have to have Cadillac on my side to help me drive the culture of Auburn Football,” Freeze said during his introductory press conference in November.

Williams will serve as the running backs coach and associate head coach. As for Etheridge, he will coach the secondary alongside [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag], who comes to Auburn for his third stint. Those three have been vital in recruiting and will go a long way in building sustained success for the program.

Joining Etheridge and McGriff defensively will be [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] as defensive coordinator, [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] as the defensive line coach, and [autotag]Josh Aldridge[/autotag] will coach linebackers.

Freeze has also hired two offensive assistants in addition to Williams and Montgomery. Jake Thronton comes to Auburn from Ole Miss, where he will coach the offensive line. Freeze also brings tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua from Liberty to Auburn.

Two other names that have been linked to Auburn are [autotag]Dominic Studzinski[/autotag] and [autotag]Kent Austin[/autotag]. Freeze shares an update on their roles within the staff:

“Strength and conditioning Dominic Studzinski and Kent Austin is our chief quality control of the program that overseas if we say we’re gonna do something a certain way let’s do it that way,” Freeze said. “So I’m excited about our staff and we’ll be bringing in the rest of the off-the-field support staff along with the wide receiver coach at the beginning of the new year.”

The only position group that does not have a coach to this point is wide receivers, which Freeze says will be taken care of soon. Freeze blames recruiting for the lack of a receiver coach hire, but I think that we will let that slide.

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Christian Robinson shares farewell message to Auburn

He spent one season at Auburn.

[autotag]Christian Robinson[/autotag] had a short time at Auburn but it made quite an impact on him.

Robinson will not be retained by head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] after spending last season as Auburn’s linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator.

He took to Twitter to say goodbye to Auburn and the players.

“From the first day at Toomer’s to Cadillac’s first win on the Plains we loved getting to be a part of this community,” Robinson wrote. “There are very few places as welcoming and iconic in the country as Auburn. Kaley and I will miss all the great people that make this university and town so special.

“To the players, I hope you carry the lessons we shared and cherish the days you are given to impact others. Auburn is built on work, hard work. I can’t wait to see the great things you do on and off the field!”

Robinson has spent plenty of time in the SEC after his playing days at Georgia ended in 2012. He was a graduate assistant at  Georgia (2013-14), Ole Miss (2015-16), and Mississippi State (2017) before becoming Florida’s linebacker coach in 2018.

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Christian Robinson will not be retained by Auburn Football

Robinson served as linebackers coach for Bryan Harsin’s staff for the 2022 season.

It appears that Auburn’s linebackers coach during 2022, and a favorite among recruits, will not be coaching under Hugh Freeze going forward.

Nathan King of 247Sports reported Thursday morning that Auburn linebackers coach [autotag]Christian Robinson[/autotag] will not be a part of the new staff. Following the hiring of Hugh Freeze, Robinson remained at Auburn to help with recruiting efforts alongside [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag] and [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag].

It was believed that Etheridge and Robinson would be retained on staff, but their roles were not immediately known.

In the three weeks since Hugh Freeze has been the head coach at Auburn, he has hired three defensive coaches: [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] (defensive coordinator), [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] (defensive line coach), and [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] (defensive assistant). Zac Etheridge is also expected to be retained on staff.

Now that Robinson’s fate is known. It appears that Freeze needs to hire a linebackers coach, as well as a receivers coach, to round out his staff.

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SEC analyst praises Hugh Freeze’s coordinator hires

This popular SEC analyst says that Hugh Freeze has “knocked it out of the park.”

Sometimes, things are just worth the wait.

Auburn fans were growing antsy due to the lack of news regarding coordinators for Hugh Freeze’s staff. The wait ended on Sunday night when news broke of the hires of Philip Montgomery as offensive coordinator and Ron Roberts as defensive coordinator.

[autotag]Roberts[/autotag] led the Baylor Bears to a great season defensively, and [autotag]Montgomery[/autotag] has a great track record of developing offensive players and directing them to produce impressive numbers.

Fans, as well as the national media, were pleased with the hires. One analyst, in particular, says that Hugh Freeze “knocked it out of the park.”

SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum was a guest on the Monday edition of “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” where he discussed the hires of Montgomery and Roberts. Finebaum said he likes the hire of Montgomery as offensive coordinator, due to his experience working with Art Briles.

“You’re talking about (Philip Montgomery) in as OC who was working high school with Art Briles,” Finebaum said. “You’re talking about somebody that understands every aspect of offense, especially where the offensive philosophies are today. I think (Freeze has) done extremely well.”

While he is impressed with the hires, Finebaum says he is not all that surprised Freeze was able to pull off great hires.

“With the resources that Auburn has and the money behind that school right now and the energy behind that school, you knew he could go out there and bring in good coordinators, perhaps not to this caliber,” Finebaum said.

Both hires became official on Monday, as both coordinators have officially changed their Twitter display photos to Auburn-related ones. Roberts has also stayed busy by interacting with Auburn fans on the social media platform.

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3 offensive keys for Oklahoma versus Baylor

Here’s three offensive keys for Oklahoma as they take on a tough Baylor team.

A rested and motivated team should board the bus to head to Waco from Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners come off their bye in prime position to make a national splash and within their own conference. A win against a top-25 foe can help change the narrative about who Oklahoma is to this point.

It won’t be easy as the Baylor Bears represent the best opponent Oklahoma has played to date. They are well balanced and have equally strong units offensively and defensively. Defensively, Baylor ranks No. 81 nationally in passing defense. There are plays to be made there. However, there are a few keys to this game that ultimately decide how Oklahoma’s offense will look and perform come Saturday.

Lincoln Riley has to show up

What’s about to be said sounds crazy, but just think about it: Lincoln Riley has to show up Saturday. As in, the wizard play-caller Lincoln Riley. Riley’s been stymied by the defense with Aranda’s fingerprints over it a few times now.

The Peach Bowl when the Sooners faced LSU was one example and last year’s game in Norman was another. Yes, Ron Roberts is the defensive coordinator but there’s no reason to believe Aranda doesn’t have input.

Baylor has found ways to pressure Oklahoma quarterbacks and confuse those same quarterbacks with the coverage looks they show them. Riley comes in with a true freshman in a raucous environment. Making things easy and crafting a game plan that keeps him out of situations where he has to be Superman every play is key.

That falls on Riley’s shoulders. We’ll see how the head coach responds.

Cool Hand Caleb

If you’ve never seen the movie Cool Hand Luke, go watch it. It’s one of the best films ever.

The reason it’s brought up here is simple. Caleb needs to become his own version of Cool Hand Luke. In the film, the main character refuses to submit to the order and the pressure of the world he’s thrust into. He navigates his way through and has the last laugh.

The Sooners will need their true freshman to do the same. This isn’t Kansas. This is a very motivated and highly disruptive Baylor team with a fighting chance to go to the Big 12 championship game.

The sparkplug that galvanized Oklahoma’s season will have to be the guy who plays as close to mistake-free football as possible and is able to lead his team to a win in a hostile environment. Any failures to communicate between quarterback and his offense and the Sooners could be in for a long afternoon.

Offensive Line must take ownership

It’s safe to say that the Oklahoma Sooners have a plethora of playmakers now. Mike Woods will be returning as well to add to a receiver room oozing with confidence.

However, the foundation of this offense is its offensive line. There’s a lot of starts on this line amongst left guard Marquis Hayes, right tackle Tyrese Robinson and right guard Chris Murray.

All three have started at least two years worth of power five football games. Andrew Raym remains the most unseasoned of the Sooner starters. This offensive line will need to play their best game against one of the best defensive front sevens in the country to help out their quarterback.

If Caleb has to bail from the pocket every pass attempt or the Sooners aren’t able to run the ball, this game could get weird in the worst way very fast. The leadership and vet presence of their experienced linemen is where Oklahoma will have to win the game.

If those guys show up and continue performing at the level they have been, Oklahoma can put together some drives and win this game.

There’s a very visible path Oklahoma can take to win this game. Championship November is here and players and coaches alike for Oklahoma will need to raise their game even more if the Sooners are going to win the month.

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