The Sum of The Parts

Driven and focused. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.

There is an old adage that states that the one is not greater than the whole. This true with anything to do with team sports. Like a well built engine, take away a part and the performance will not be optimum. For peak efficiency, every part is needed. Auburn needs one more part to complete its coaching staff for the football program.

 Since being named the head coach of Auburn University, Gus Malzahn has been tireless in his efforts of hiring the best of the best when it comes to coaches. No matter what it took, there was not a hurdle too tall, nor an obstacle too difficult that could prevent him from building an exceptional coaching staff here at Auburn.

 Yesterday was like Christmas morning for a six year old for all Auburn fans with news of the hiring of former San Diego Chargers coach Rich Bisaccia(Be-sach-ia) to be the new Running Backs coach and Special Teams coordinator. 

 Bisaccia brings to Auburn 11 years NFL experience, a Super Bowl title, and is widely regarded as the best Special Teams coach in all of football. In addition he has three years of SEC coaching experience at Ole Miss and 5 years at Clemson. Read more about him HERE.

 As if that wasn't enough, late yesterday we found out one of Auburn's prodigal sons would be returning home to coach wide receivers. Former Auburn star quarterback Dameyune Craig agreed to return to Auburn. 

 You can look HERE for his bio. Suffice it to say that Craig has been a thorn in the side of Auburn recruiting efforts for years. He is known as a relentless and shrewd recruiter, who will win more recruiting battles than most others.

 With the addition of these two gentlemen, this Auburn staff is now a force on the recruiting trail, and proven to be leaders of men. The amount of young men they have coached who have made their living in the NFL is astounding. The total years of coaching experience is astronomical at around 161 years at the college or professional level.

 As we found out on January 3rd, 2013 Gus is a driven recruiter. His ability to get the best coaches has been proven. If he  continues this effort in recruiting the very best athletes to Auburn, then Katy bar the door.

WAR EAGLE!

Malzahn Chooses Experience

 As the staff at Auburn continues to grow, I have become more impressed with Gus Malzahn and his ability to hire experienced, hard nosed football coaches. It's no secret that Malzahn was not the first choice on my wish lists of coaches. However, as his transition into Auburn's head football coach continues, I have come to see what the selection committee did throughout its search process. Gus Malzahn is the right man for the job.

 The addition of Melvin Smith to the defensive coaching staff is another master stroke by Malzahn. Smith coached the Jim Thorpe Award winner last season, which is given to the best defensive back in America. His groups at Mississippi State have led the SEC in takeaways or interceptions two years in a row. Auburn had been sorely lacking in that department.

 With SEC experience on this staff nearing the century mark, our team should have no trouble learning what it will take to compete at the highest level in the toughest conference in America.

 Thinking along those lines, that much experience on the defensive side of the ball should allow Gus time to dial up more diabolical plays for the upcoming season.

 I can hardly wait to see what he has in mind.

WAR EAGLE!

Introducing Charlie Harbison

 According to 24/7Sports.com Gus Malzahn and Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson have chosen to hire Clemson defensive backs coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator Charlie Harbison. Harbison's defenses have consistently ranked among the best in college football in most passing departments. 

 Saturday evening Auburn defensive lineman Greg Robinson his approval.
@NineORhino: Auburn fans coach Cheese aka coach Harbison is a great hire man good recruiter too!...#WDE

 The following video is from a pre-game press conference where Clemson was preparing to face Troy.


 The following is from the official Clemson University athletics site:

• In 2011, he coached cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who had 14 passes defended and was drafted by the Titans.
• Clemson was in the top 26 in the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2009 and 2010.
• Coached first-team All-American DeAndre McDaniel in 2009 and 2010. McDaniel led the ACC and was tied for third in the nation in interceptions (8) in 2009. He was also named First-Team All-ACC both seasons.
• Named one of nation's top-25 recruiters by Rivals in 2010.
• Helped Clemson to a top-25 ranking and the ACC Atlantic Division title in 2009. Clemson had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in Tiger history and tied for fifth-most in the nation. Clemson was seventh in the nation in passing defense.
• From 1995-97, he helped the Tigers to three bowl games (1996 Gator, 1996 Peach, 1998 Peach).
• Coached great players in the 1990s at Clemson, including nine-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Dawkins. He was an All-American and led the ACC in interceptions in Harbison's first year at Clemson (1995).
• Came to Clemson from Mississippi State, where he was defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The Bulldogs were seventh in the nation in pass defense and 20th in the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2007.
• Has had two tours of duty at Alabama (1998-00, 2003-06). He helped Alabama to five bowl games in seven total years, including 1999 when the Crimson Tide won the SEC title. Alabama finished ranked #8 in the nation that year. He coached defensive backs in his first tour of duty and wide receivers the second time around at Alabama.
• Coached at Louisiana State under Head Coach Nick Saban in 2001 and 2002. The 2001 team won the SEC title and ranked #7 in the final AP poll with a 10-3 record. Louisiana State played in two bowl games in his two years there.