StatTiger :Big Turnarounds Part of AUBURN History

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StatTiger: Big turnaround seasons a part of Auburn football history

Should Auburn deliver a much better product on the field than last year, it would not be the first time an Auburn football team bounced back after a dismal season. After the 1992 team finished 5-5-1 the Tigers rebounded with an 11-0 record in 1993.

After an 8-5 season in 2003 the Tigers went 13-0 the following year, winning their first Southeastern Conference football championship since 1989.

The 2010 Auburn team jumped from 8-5 the previous season to 14-0, winning Auburn’s first nationally recognized football national championship since 1957.

Coach Gus Malzahn’s first Auburn team posted a 12-2 and won another conference title in 2013 following a dismal 3-9 season. Some of the common themes among those four special seasons were returning talent, coaching changes and team chemistry.

Every year, we hear about “team chemistry,” but it is difficult to quantify it without success on the field. Team chemistry can often be confused with leadership, but they are not the same. The 2003 Tigers possessed talent and leadership from multiple positions, but lacked the overall team chemistry to win big.

The 2004 squad rallied around Coach Tommy Tuberville, who survived a back-room takeover attempt. The players were eager to prove everyone wrong about how good they could be and succeeded.

Head coaching changes after 1992 and 2012 seasons brought about new opportunities for Auburn’s returning talent, and the new coaches took advantage of the players’ hunger to be successful on the field.

Coach Bryan Harsin and staff had that same opportunity in 2021 and, for a short period, appeared to be taking advantage of the moment. Through eight games, Auburn was 6-2, which included road victories over LSU, an improved Arkansas team, and a dangerous Ole Miss team. After eight contests the new offense was averaging 452 yards and 35 points per game.

Two weeks after the Ole Miss victory quarterback Bo Nix was injured and lost for the season, rendering the offense a shell of itself. We would later learn that some players never bought into the new head coach or his program vision. It did not excuse the coaching staff from their shortcomings, but it was a reality that the 2021 Tigers lacked team chemistry.

For the 2022 Tigers to rebound, they must be able to rally as a team and unify around their rebuilt coaching staff. The coaches, in return, must find the best way to create opportunities for their personnel to be successful.

Senior tight end John Samuel Shenker identified a significant issue from last season in his comments at this week’s SEC Media Days.

“When he (Harsin) came in, he has one way of doing things,” Shenker said. “He was successful where he was before so when you have a guy that's that successful, it's just buy-in and see what lies on the other side.

Last year we didn't fully buy-in.” Shenker added, “We had guys that were very singular, individual, and those guys are gone now. Now we have a lot of guys that are bought into what we are doing and what Coach Harsin wants us to do, and I think that's all that matters."

Derick Hall, one of the defensive leaders, considered going pro before deciding to return for the 2022 season. Explaining that decision, the standout pass rusher said, “Why would I leave and miss out on the college experience? You never get that back. Just being able to play with my brothers one more time. I love Auburn and Auburn loves me back, for sure. Everybody takes care of me. I wanted to give back to them one more time. If I had to make the decision again, I would definitely still come back for 2022.”

This leadership level can help develop team chemistry, but it will take more than a handful of players to make it happen. Team unity is built during the spring, summer and fall camps. It is modified and cultivated during the course of a season. If the bond has not already begun by now, it is likely too late for the 2022 Tigers. The bond is formed during camps, practice, drills, film study and conditioning where the players find a common theme and goals to work towards. It is a mindset of working together and striving to improve, not as individuals but as individuals wanting to accomplish a specific and shared standard or goal.

The 2022 roster is not stockpiled with a surplus of talent, but there is enough to be competitive. Talent-wise the roster doesn’t compare to the 2004, 2010 and 2013 teams so a championship season is not likely in the cards. There are, however, 35 players rated as 4-stars or better, including 43 rated as Top 500 recruits, 22 ranked as Top 300 players and four Top 20 junior college players. It does not include established players like John Samuel Shenker, Jarquez Hunter, Luke Deal, Marcus Harris, Eku Leota, and Nehemiah Pritchett. It also does not include players like Landen King and Jeremiah Wright, both high on the coaches' radar.

Under the right circumstances Auburn could have won nine games last year and there is enough talent for the 2022 Tigers to reach the same goal. With two new coordinators in place they are tasked to prove they can place their personnel into a position to be successful. Even with Nix out of service during the last three games, Auburn was a combined 12 points away from winning nine games last year. The Tigers scored only five offensive touchdowns during the last three games when eight could have made the difference in the outcome of all three.

During February there was a focus on the player exodus from the 2021 roster, but how many were committed to a team concept? The players who elected to return and the arrival of new players who chose Auburn will dictate the fate of the 2022 team.

Derick Hall commented on how the returning players handled the situation in February when they were not sure that Harsin would be around to coach a second Auburn team. “We still came to work every day,” he notes. “There was no stoppage in work. Everyone showed up on time.”

At SEC Media Days, Harsin immediately addressed the situation on potential of losing his job and noted that the Tigers have long since moved on to preparations for 2022. The players who represented Auburn at the event said the same thing while adding that they see a silver lining to that dark cloud, predicting the SEC will be a stronger and more determined group in 2022.

Regardless if a coaching change had been made after one year, the players set their goals to improve. With a decision to continue the Harsin Era, the players appear to be prepared to rally around their leader. This drive for success could make a difference during critical moments of close games.

10COMMENTS

Auburn was 1-4 last year during games decided by eight points or less. A more unified effort and commitment between the players and coaches could make the difference between six victories and nine. Better team chemistry in 2022 might not result in a championship, but it could be a primary reason why the Tigers develop into a more successful team than the 2021 group.

 

 

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2-3 championship caliber teams every decade.  This will be our first in the 2020s.