Malzahn names J.B. Grimes offensive line coach

AUBURN — Gus Malzahn added the fourth assistant coach to his staff Wednesday night, naming J.B. Grimes as Auburn’s offensive line coach. Grimes, a veteran of more than 30 years, spent this past season with Malzahn at Arkansas State.

“J.B. is a tremendous coach who is one of the nation’s top teachers at the offensive line position,” Malzahn said in a statement released Wednesday night. “He played a vital role in our team’s success this past season and we’re fortunate to have him join our program at Auburn.”

This season at Arkansas State, Grimes coached an offensive line group which helped set a school-record with 481.8 yards of total offense per game while ranking 16th nationally in fewest sacks allowed. The Red Wolves led the Sun Belt in rushing and ranked in the top 25 nationally in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach at Auburn and join Coach Malzahn’s staff,” Grimes said in a statement. “I’ve always admired Auburn football having coached in the Southeastern Conference and even when I was younger watching Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley play. It’s a special place with great history, traditions and fans. I’ve known Gus for several years and have admired the things he’s done as a coach. We did some great things this past season at Arkansas State and I look forward to doing the same at Auburn.”

Grimes is not related to outgoing offensive line coach Jeff Grimes, who was one of the members of Gene Chizik’s staff which was relieved of their duties following the hiring of Malzahn on Dec. 4.

J.B. Grimes will coach Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, according to an Auburn spokesman, along with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.

Grimes has been the offensive line coach at Kansas (2010-11) and Mississippi State (2004-08) and his career includes stints at East Carolina, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe and Delta State as an assistant coach.

In his time at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs produced three seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher.