Coach Malzahn speaks to Birmingham Rotary Club

[RunInRed 18,113]

Some of this is old/rehashed news but there were a few new tidbits as well. The recap (from our Twitter feed where this was live-posted [hint: you should be following @AUFAMILY if you aren't already]):

@CoachGusMalzahn is speaking to the Birmingham Rotary Club shortly, stay tuned for updates... #Auburn

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Big crowd, about 350 in attendance to hear Gus ...

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Raymond Harbert is currently introducing Gus ...

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Gus takes the mic ...his last stop on the speaking circuit before practice starts Friday

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Gus gives a shout out to former #Auburn QB Neil Caudle, who is in attendance

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@CoachGusMalzahn at Birmingham Rotary Club meeting...

CGM: Best academic semesters (last Spring) in history of @FootballAU

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CGM: Zero off the field problems since he was hired, very few programs in country can say that #Auburn

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CGM: It's a new day, I don't care what happened in past

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CGM: When we took over, lots of trust issues, we've made huge strides on that front

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CGM: First team meeting was tough

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CGM: Lots of "Dr Phil-ing"in first month

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CGM: Started coaching @rhettlashlee in 7th grade

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CGM: I'm going to be involved in calling offense still #Auburn

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CGM: If play didn't work, @rhettlashlee called that one!

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CGM: Important that I hired coaches that loved #Auburn ....@coachg76 and @CoachDCraig

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CGM: They talk to players about "what #Auburn means to them"....priceless message @CoachDCraig @coachg76

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CGM: Number one goal of fall camp, get our edge back

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CGM: Biggest stress and No 1 priority of Fall camp is who is QB

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CGM: On timing of finding QB, "Chris Todd won job in practice 9"

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CGM: So I'll know quickly (who is going to be our QB)

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CGM: QB Jermey Johnson has put on 20 lbs

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CGM: I expect Jeremy Johnson to be Cam size by the time it's over

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CGM: Cameron Artis-Payne.....old school, fall forward, expect huge things

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CGM: Jay Prosch = Exactly what #Auburn represents

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CGM: Surprised how well Prosch catches ball down field

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CGM: Prosch probably MVP of spring

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CGM: No names mentioned for WR ... I won't mention any ... We have to find a guy we can count on ... wide open position

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CGM: Reese Dismukes has grown up.....needed to grow up ... now one of our leaders

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CGM: Shon Coleman......excited for him, a guy you root for

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CGM: Defensively we will run a 4-2-5....3 Safeties in field

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CGM: One proven pass rusher ... Dee Ford

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CGM: Freshman DL playing time will be based on how quickly they pick it up

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Side note: @CoachGusMalzahn has a very quick delivery....barely stops to breathe #HUNH

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CGM: (on DL) We're looking for our Nick Fairley

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CGM: (DL contd) Looking for someone to come from up middle

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CGM: Star position.....focus of Ellis Johnson's defense

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CGM: Justin Garrett Defensive MVP of Spring

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CGM: Defensive key is being able to rush 4 and corners that can cover man to man

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CGM: We're not going to be looking to fair catch on punts

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CGM: On every punt, we want to score a TD

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CGM: I've never been a predictor but I promise you this....we'll play hard and we'll put product on the field that you are proud of #Auburn

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CGM: My dream job was #Auburn ....never expected to have opportunity this quick

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End of prepared remarks ... Some Q&A ...

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Q: How soon to name QB?

A: No date set, but I want to name as soon as I'm certain

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Q: Is QB rotation an option?

A: No. I believe in one guy. However, I do like having a wildcat option if you have the right guy.

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Q: Talk about @ChetteW

A: One of those guys players have a unique relationship with ... I'm a big fan of his.

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Q: What are you doing differently for academics?

A: The reason we hired off the field guys is not for recruiting...

It's so each assisting coach has an assistant. So we can monitor players when coaches are out on recruiting trail.

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Q: Talk about offensive games management

A: @rhettlashlee & I will both be on field, I will play call. Rhett & I only ones on headset

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Tidbits: - Athletic dorms are 49% athletes; Very nice; I'm huge on team togetherness; This allows us to do that.

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CGM on social media: "Twitter is a privilege, we monitor it. If it is abused, we'll kill it" #Auburn

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One other observation: Not one mention of saban or bama

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CGM on QB Nick Marshall: He's an athletic freak, he's what you read, can launch the ball 80yds, time will tell if he can pick up the Offense

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CGM also fielded a question on emerging leaders. A: We'll find out quickly. I can't wait until we face adversity for 1st time against WSU...My head will be on a swivel looking for bad body language or attitudes. We'll know who our leaders are when adversity presents itself.

@AUFAMILY

[AUld fAUx@ 2,584]

From another quarter (and haven't seen it posted yet):

"Coach Dameyune Craig, my former teammate and a guy on a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks, told me Nick Marshall is the best athlete he has ever seen, period. In fact, he told me he's surprised Nick is not playing point guard in the NBA…” Rob Pate as quoted at

http://auburn.247spo...scom-20227334/1

[AUEngineer2016 407]

Some quick points that I noticed:

1) People who have counted JJ out in the past in the QB race (myself included) may want to rethink that. If he's added 20 lbs, that puts him at about 6'6" 230 lbs I believe (his HS profile lists him at 6'6" 215 lbs), and he has shown in HS that he is a threat to run and pass. I'd like to see him redshirted, but he could truely be a monster already.

2) I don't think that we necessarily have a #1 RB and a #2 RB, more like a #1a and #1b in CAP and Tre. I also think that we can count both of them as "starters" because they will get so much playing time. CAP is more of a bruiser, Tre is more of a speed back. Just different styles, both work well in this offense.

3) I will be living in the South Donahue Residence Hall next year as one of the 51% that is non-athlete. I absolutely cannot wait, and will definitely be posting pictures as soon as possible.

4) Everyone that has talked about NM has praised him. I am very anxious to see how he handles game situtions. If he is as fast as Jay Prosch says he is, and as good as CDC says he is, I think he could have a breakout year this year.

5) I think our final W-L record this year is directly correlated to our QB play. If we have a great QB, I think the sky is the limit. If we have another situation like last year, I think that we could all be very disappointed. And there is room for everything and anything inbetween.

Edited to confirm JJ's HS weight

[Auburn4Winners 0]

I freaking love our new head coach. The Gus Bus is coming for YOU!

[Auburn4Winners 0]

Some quick points that I noticed:

1) People who have counted JJ out in the past in the QB race (myself included) may want to rethink that. If he's added 20 lbs, that puts him at about 6'6" 230 lbs I believe, and he has shown in HS that he is a threat to run and pass. I'd like to see him redshirted, but he could truely be a monster already.

2) I don't think that we necessarily have a #1 RB and a #2 RB, more like a #1a and #1b in CAP and Tre. I also think that we can count both of them as "starters" because they will get so much playing time. CAP is more of a bruiser, Tre is more of a speed back. Just different styles, both work well in this offense.

3) I will be living in the South Donahue Residence Hall next year as one of the 51% that is non-athlete. I absolutely cannot wait, and will definitely be posting pictures as soon as possible.

4) Everyone that has talked about NM has praised him. I am very anxious to see how he handles game situtions. If he is as fast as Jay Prosch says he is, and as good as CDC says he is, I think he could have a breakout year this year.

5) I think our final W-L record this year is directly correlated to our QB play. If we have a great QB, I think the sky is the limit. If we have another situation like last year, I think that we could all be very disappointed. And there is room for everything and anything inbetween.

I'm with you brother! except I would add:

6) Our defense WILL surprise everyone.

[WarEagle10 77]

Thanks for that RIR. I will say it again....I have a man crush on Gus.

[BornaTiger 0]

Me too. Freakin love this guy!

[AUIH1 1,515]

I like what Gus says.

wde

[jskilgro 23]

From another quarter (and haven't seen it posted yet):

"Coach Dameyune Craig, my former teammate and a guy on a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks, told me Nick Marshall is the best athlete he has ever seen, period. In fact, he told me he's surprised Nick is not playing point guard in the NBA…” Rob Pate as quoted at

http://auburn.247spo...scom-20227334/1

it moved.

[Charleston Tiger 134]

Agree about the defense. I think by the 5-6 game at most, Verne and Gary are gonna be talking about how "this is a whole different team from last year, Verne."

[augolf1716 21,939]

Thanks for that RIR. I will say it again....I have a man crush on Gus.

all this time I thought it was bird

[AUSWEN 0]

I stand by my earlier prediction. The real QB battle is between JJ and NM I'm so excited that we're finally about to start practice. I'm getting tired of talking about it and want some real information!

[IndianTiger 95]

Expect to score a TD on every punt...love that.

[WarEagle10 77]

Thanks for that RIR. I will say it again....I have a man crush on Gus.

all this time I thought it was bird

Bird is my hero. Golf is my zero. (shhhhhh. Don't tell him I typed that)

It really is nice not to hear "coach speak" on every answer. I noticed today that I am really starting to get hyped for the season. The nip is in the air. (it was a brisk 92 today)

[vatz22au 142]

Main thing I got out of this is that Coach Malzahn definitely noticed and corrected a major attitude problem with the team. Doesn't start with talent/athletic ability.. it starts with your mindset and your attitude. Everything builds upon that from there.

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,992]

Nick Marshall sounds good

[TTownMensWear 0]

Main thing I got out of this is that Coach Malzahn definitely noticed and corrected a major attitude problem with the team. Doesn't start with talent/athletic ability.. it starts with your mindset and your attitude. Everything builds upon that from there.

Agreed. The team as a whole had a battered and bruised psyche. They needed some Dr. Phil type focus. Get level set and move onward and upward!

[autig90 67]

Really good stuff. I'm on board with a man crush on Gus as well.

I've always thought that Marshall will be our starting QB, and Gus' and Craig's comments reinforce that to me as long he has a decent grasp of the offense. I never figured JJ to be realistically in the mix though, but the info on his growth and athletic ability make me second guess that a bit. Will be really interesting how the first couple of weeks of camp develops.

[cjs53 4]

This is all great news! Can not wait foe Aug. 31st.

[war eagle6 0]

I stand by my earlier prediction. The real QB battle is between JJ and NM ;)/> I'm so excited that we're finally about to start practice. I'm getting tired of talking about it and want some real information!

I also stand by mine as well: Nick Marshall Starting qb!!

[Weegle777 78]

I think Gus just took Barry Manilow's place.

[augolf1716 21,939]

I think Gus just took Barry Manilow's place.

Here we Come weeg

[WarEagle10 77]

I think Gus just took Barry Manilow's place.

Nice try. I bet you have your fingers crossed.

[AU-24 3,128]

From another quarter (and haven't seen it posted yet):

"Coach Dameyune Craig, my former teammate and a guy on a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks, told me Nick Marshall is the best athlete he has ever seen, period. In fact, he told me he's surprised Nick is not playing point guard in the NBA…” Rob Pate as quoted at

http://auburn.247spo...scom-20227334/1

it moved.

Out of everything I have read/heard concerning Marshall, this article is the most impressive.

This season could turn-out a-little better than 6-6 or 7-5.

[war eagle6 0]

From another quarter (and haven't seen it posted yet):

"Coach Dameyune Craig, my former teammate and a guy on a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks, told me Nick Marshall is the best athlete he has ever seen, period. In fact, he told me he's surprised Nick is not playing point guard in the NBA…” Rob Pate as quoted at

http://auburn.247spo...scom-20227334/1

it moved.

Out of everything I have read/heard concerning Marshall, this article is the most impressive.

This season could turn-out a-little better than 6-6 or 7-5.

It will be, Bank it!!