Thigpen hired at Tennessee, first Chizik assistant coach rehired

Former Auburn linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen has been hired at Tennessee, according to multiple reports, including al.com. Thigpen becomes the first member of Chizik’s staff to land a new position since being dismissed by new coach Gus Malzahn on Wednesday.

Thigpen coached defensive backs for his first three years with Auburn before moving to linebackers when Willie Martinez was hired to coach the secondary this past season.

Malzahn has hired three assistants – offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Charlie Harbison – since being named Auburn’s 26th head football coach on Tuesday.

Malzahn also announced the hiring of strength and conditioning coach Ryan Russell on Sunday. Russell served under Malzahn in a similar role at Arkansas State this past season and was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Auburn in 2010-11.