After interviewing with Texas last week, Auburn offensive line coach Jeff Grimes coach has decided to stay put.Grimes, who is from Garland, Texas, played at Texas-El Paso and had several coaching stints at schools in Texas, announced his intentions to stay with the Tigers on Sunday.
He flew to Austin to interview with the Longhorns shortly after the Tigers won the BCS national championship.
“The University of Texas has a great football program and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mack Brown,” Grimes said. “As a Texas native, the position was very enticing, however, I have decided to remain at Auburn. My family and I love being a part of the Auburn family, the Auburn community and this football program.”
Grimes’ decision raises the chances that Auburn coach Gene Chizik keep his original staff together for a third straight year. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn turned down a head coaching offer from Vanderbilt in December.
Texas has had a habit of plucking away Auburn coaches. It did so with Chizik as defensive coordinator after the 2004 season and Will Muschamp after 2007.
“We’re pleased to move forward with a coaching staff that will remain intact for a third straight year,” Chizik said. “Our staff retention was a huge factor in our national championship run and will be important as we prepare for 2011 season.”
The 42-year-old Grimes had three All-SEC picks this season on a line that helped the Tigers set the single-season school records for points and total offense for a second consecutive year.
But the Tigers face a substantial challenge up front in 2011, with four seniors who combined for 165 starts graduating. The majority of Auburn’s returning linemen will be freshmen or sophomores.
NOTE: Here's the list of early entries to the NFL draft. Auburn WR Darvin Adams is not on it, but apparently it's unofficial at this point.
2 comments:
Thanks, Andy. I had heard rumors about Adams but hadn't seen anything concrete one way or the other. I feel better now.
Not sure if this is concrete. Apparently this is not the official list by the NFL, which doesn't come out until after the Jan. 18 deadline for underclassmen who have declared and have not hired an agent to withdraw.
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