We reporters just got off of a 10-minute teleconference with new Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Here's what he had to say, in bullet form:

• Roof emphasized a need to stop the run (he's falling in lockstep with Gene Chizik on this one). "What you got to do is try to get people off kilter with going after folks and being aggressive and try to make teams one-dimensional so you can get creative on defense," Roof said. "It's not the schemes that win and lose for you, it's the players that you recruit and that you develop."

• It doesn't sound like Roof will do anything too gimmicky on the defensive side of the ball: "You're only going to be as good as your base defense and your fundamentals allow you to be. Because when you get in that thunderstorm, you've got to have a place you call home. Your base defense and playing fundamental football, just throwing blocks and getting off blocks and tacklin' and pursuit angles, all the things that seem so elementary to some people but are really the differences between winning and losing."

• Roof was contacted by Chizik shortly after the Gophers' 42-21 Insight Bowl loss to Kansas on New Year's Eve. He flew into Atlanta (note to reporters: that's how they do it) and drove into Auburn on Monday night before finalizing the deal Tuesday.

• Roof sounded like he enjoys recruiting: "I love it. And also having a great product to sell. And Auburn University and Auburn University football is a wonderful product and it's one that I look forward to jumping right into the middle of and getting going."

• Chizik has not made any decisions with regards to whether Roof will coach any specific defensive position in addition to his coordinating duties. His specialty throughout his career has been linebackers, although it is widely assumed that James Willis will retain his role as linebackers coach.

• Roof said he didn't have too many fond memories of playing against Auburn. "Back when they were running the 'bone, they were the most physical football team that we played year in and year out. I made this comment to Coach (Pat) Dye, when you got done playing Auburn it felt like somebody had taken a rubber hose and just beat you with. Back when they ran the 'bone and kept pounding you. As a football player you always respect the physical teams, the teams that hit you in the mouth."

• Chizik said he didn't have much background with Roof, but like all football coaches, was simply familiar with his work.

• Roof didn't give much insight as to what other defensive assistants might be hired. He said that's Chizik's call.