Malzahn says new staff is ‘one team with one heartbeat’

AUBURN – After addressing the sell-out crowd during halftime of Auburn’s basketball game with Kentucky on Saturday, Tigers football coach Gus Malzahn spoke publicly for the first time in nearly a month. In a short session with reporters, Malzahn addressed his recently completed staff, recruiting and other updates.

“It’s been pretty fast but it’s been a very good fast and now that we got our coaches intact and they’ve been out on the road a week’s gone very good,” Malzahn said.

The Auburn staff was completed on Jan. 4 with the hiring of Tim Horton as tight ends coach. Malzahn hired Horton, running backs and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia and  wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig in a span of 24 hours to go along with Rhett Lashlee, J.B. Grimes, Ellis Johnson, Rodney Garner, Charlie Harbison and Melvin Smith.

“They’ve done a great job of coming together. We’re one team with one heartbeat and on vision,” he said. “They’ve really worked their tail off so far. I really see good things in the future with this group.

“I’d say our defensive group is probably the most experienced group out there especially with SEC and I think that was important. Offensively we feel very good and we just got to get our defense back and that group can really do it.”

Craig and Garner are both Auburn alums and Malzahn felt bringing in former Tigers players to join his staff was important.

“When I was first hired I felt like it was very important to get a couple of guys that played here at Auburn, that were successful at Auburn, to help get our edge back and Dameyune Craig was definitely one of those guys identified early and we’re very fortunate to have him,” he said.

Regarding recruiting Malzahn said his staff, as any new staff does, has had to play “catch-up.” The Tigers have lost several commitments including Dee Liner and Reuben Foster, though Foster says he is still considering AU.

Malzahn also confirmed reports quarterback Clint Moseley has left the team and will remain at the university to earn his degree.