Malzahn lets go of entire Chizik staff, seeks coordinators first

Gus Malzahn has let go of the entire Auburn coaching staff from the past season, per an Auburn spokesman. Malzahn, who was hired to be Auburn’s 26th head football coach on Tuesday, informed the assistant coaches who worked under Gene Chizik of his decision on Wednesday.

The assistants led go Wednesday include offensive coordinator Scot Loeffer, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder as well as assistants Curtis Luper, Trooper Taylor, Jeff Grimes, Mike Pelton, Tommy Thigpen, Willie Martinez and Jay Boulware.

Chizik was fired on Nov. 25 following a historically poor 3-9 season. The school bought-out the remaining three years of his contract for $7.5 million and will owe $11.09 million in total buyouts when the nine assistant coaches are included. Should Chizik or any of his coaches earn compensation during the remaining term of their respective contracts, it will offset against what Auburn owes them.

During his introductory press conference Tuesday night, Malzahn said he was going to take his time to hire the right coaches for his staff.

“I’m going to take my time and I’m going to find the right fit,” said Malzahn, who coached Arkansas State to a 9-3 record this season. “We are going to hire men of character who will be great examples for our players and then they’re going to be great coaches and great recruiters. I’m going to take my time to try to get the best person where ever he is.

“I’m going to get the best fit for Auburn no matter whether those guys are here, guys who are with me, guys who are other places.”

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said the financial burden of buying out Chizik and his assistants will not limits Malzahn’s choices for assistants.

“We continue to be fully committed to getting the best coaches we can,” Jacobs said. “That is not going to change.”

Malzahn is actively pursuing new coaches and interviewed former Southern Miss coach Ellis Johnson to be defensive coordinator and former Auburn defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, now with the Tennessee Titans, according to al.com.

Johnson was fired on Nov. 27 after one season at Southern Miss in which he went 0-12. He was a defensive coordinator at Alabama, Clemson and Mississippi State and has spent 16 years coaching in the SEC.

Rocker, an Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award-winner at Auburn, was a member of Chizik’s original coaching staff for two years before leaving for the Tennessee Titans.