11/5/22 Auburn Articles

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What to Watch: Auburn faces multiple challenges vs. Mississippi State

By Mark Murphy2 hrs

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AUBURN, Alabama–In what has been a week of change for the Auburn football Tigers they will look to find a way to end a four-game losing streak on Saturday at Mississippi State. Interim head coach Cadillac Williams will lead the Tigers into the 6:30 p.m. CDT kickoff.

Auburn holds an all-time lead of 65-28-2 in games vs. the Bulldogs, including a 24-10 victory on its last trip Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn is 14-7-1 in road trips to Starkville. However, for this year’s matchup the home team is a nearly two-touchdown favorite for reasons beyond having a better overall record.

Mississippi State is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference this season. The Bulldogs rallied in the second half last year at Auburn to win 43-34.

The Tigers are 3-5 overall and 1-4 in league play with the one victory an overtime squeaker at home vs. the Missouri Tigers.  This week’s game will be televised on ESPN2 and here are What to Watch keys for the matchup.

* With Bryan Harsin fired on Monday, how will that impact preparations for the Tigers, who are going against an opponent that has had an extra week to get ready for this game since losing 30-6 at Alabama on October 22nd? How Auburn’s players respond, mentally and physically, along with how their coaches respond to this challenge is a What to Watch biggie.

* Auburn also fired Offensive Coordinator Eric Kiesau, who worked in tandem with Harsin to prepare game plans and call plays on Saturdays. The Tigers are going to rely on Will Friend, who began the season as the offensive line coach, and wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard to be the co-offensive coordinators for the remainder of the season.

Will the Tigers run the football more than they have in previous games with their running backs coach in charge? Will there be more designed runs for Robby Ashford, the quarterback who is one of the team’s major ground threats? Will Ashford line up under center more often? Will there be a higher percentage of two-back sets? Will there be an attempt at more deception in the running game? All of these are interesting What to Watch questions for this week’ game.

* If Auburn decides to try take advantage of the skills of running backs Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter in a bigger way, how successful will that be? The Tigers have run hot and cold with their ground attack this season. Auburn's top rushing effort came on their previous trip to Mississippi, rushing for 301 yards on 48 carries vs. Ole Miss. The season lowest total is 85 yards on 42 runs vs. Missouri.

Against Alabama the Bulldogs allowed the Tide just 29 rushing yards on 27 carries. For the season the Bulldogs are allowing opponents 137.4 rushing yards per game at 4.2 yards per carry. The Tigers will probably need to surpass those numbers by a considerable margin to have a good chance to win. How many yards the Tigers run for is a What to Watch key.

 Will the Tigers have a better answer this year on how to defend the Mississippi State offense? Last year Will Rogers set a school record with six touchdown passes in MSU’s comeback victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Rogers has thrown career 70 touchdowns, which ties Dak Prescott’s school record. The junior is likely to break MSU’s passing yardage record on Saturday night. He is 107 yards shy of Prescott’s 9,376.

Last year’s Auburn defensive coordinator, Derek Mason, was unable to make the necessary adjustments in the second half and that was a major reason why the Tigers lost a 25-point lead. Whether it is more blitzing, disguising pass coverages or whatever, the approach Coordinator Jeff Schmedding uses to match up vs. the Bulldogs is a What to Watch item.

* Auburn is still last in the Southeastern Conference in turnover margin and will be facing a defense that has a league-best nine interceptions. The Bulldogs are very aggressive on defense and how Ashford handles that along with the road noise factor are What to Watch factors. Auburn goes into game ninth tied with Temple for 129th of 131 FBS teams in turnover margin with only Central Michigan trailing the Tigers and Owls.

* With Harsin no longer calling the shots a What to Watch factor will be how the Tigers use their personnel. Will there be changes in the starting lineup and the playing rotations on offense and defense?

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QB T.J. Finley not traveling with Auburn to Mississippi State

Updated: Nov. 04, 2022, 4:16 p.m.|Published: Nov. 04, 2022, 4:07 p.m.

3-4 minutes

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Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley walks the field before the start of an NCAA college football game between Auburn and Missouri Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 in Auburn, Ala. Finley is out for the season with an injury. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP

Auburn will be without quarterback T.J. Finley this weekend when it takes on Mississippi State.

Finley did not travel with the team to Starkville, Miss., on Friday, multiple sources confirmed to AL.com. Finley’s absence from Auburn’s road trip was described by one source as a “mental health break” for the junior quarterback. On3.com was the first to report Finley wasn’t traveling with the team.

Read more Auburn football: Can Cadillac Williams continue 2022 trend of successful debuts for interim coaches?

Cadillac Williams reflects on “bittersweet” opportunity, “heavy” burden as Auburn’s interim coach

5 pressing questions, a prediction with a Mississippi State reporter

It has been a turbulent season for Finley, who entered the year as Auburn’s starting quarterback after beating out Robby Ashford, Zach Calzada and Holden Geriner for the top spot. He completed 22-of-34 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions through Auburn’s first two games -- wins against Mercer and San Jose State -- before he injured his shoulder during Auburn’s loss to Penn State on Sept. 17. The injury, a Grade 2 sprain of the AC joint in his throwing shoulder, forced him to miss each of the Tigers’ next three games against Missouri, LSU and Georgia, as Ashford took over the starting role.

Finley returned briefly against Ole Miss before the bye week, inserted for one series after Ashford struggled early against the Rebels. Finley played just three snaps before a fumble on a strip-sack resulted in a turnover. He did not see the field in last week’s loss to Arkansas, and according to a source, Finley is still rehabbing the shoulder, which is not yet 100 percent recovered from the shoulder sprain he suffered against Penn State.

On the year, Finley has completed 33-of-53 passes (62.3 percent) for 431 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Ashford has started each of Auburn’s last five games, during which the Tigers have gone 1-4 with four consecutive losses. That losing streak and the team’s overall struggles the last two seasons led to Monday’s firing of head coach Bryan Harsin, along with offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Eric Kiesau and five other staffers. Running backs coach Cadillac Williams was elevated to interim head coach for the remainder of the season and will lead his alma mater into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2) matchup in Starkville.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

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Five reasons why Auburn beats Mississippi State

Cooper Posey

 

Auburn football is looking to pick up their second conference win this weekend against Mississippi State. The Tigers have played five SEC games so far this season losing four out of the five. Here are five reasons why the Tigers walk away victorious.

Auburn's secondary

Trey Lee/ Auburn Daily

Mississippi State runs an air raid style offense and throw the ball more times a game than any other team in the SEC. The Bulldogs have thrown for a total of 2,573 yards this season and average 321.6 yards a game. Auburn's defensive secondary has improved tremendously since the beginning of the season giving up an average of 198.3 yard per game through the air.  

Mississippi States running game

© Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Because the Bulldogs rely so heavily on their passing game their running game struggles. Auburn's defense has continued to give up big yards to opponents because they struggle to stop the run. I do not think that is something the Tigers have to worry too much about this weekend. 

Auburn has something to prove

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Following the firing of Bryan Harsin, Cadillac Williams was named the Interim Head Coach. A change of pace from the Coaching Staff this weekend could be the edge the Tigers need to finally find success in the places they have continued to struggle in.

History of the Auburn Mississippi State matchup

Trey Lee/Auburn Daily

Auburn has played the Bulldogs 95 times in school history. Of those 95 matchups the Tigers have won 62, lost 30, and tied 3 times. Historically Auburn usually beats Mississippi State. 

Play calling

Trey Lee/ Auburn Daily

Auburn's offense is 13th in the SEC in scoring. That could be due to the fact that they haven't been given the opportunity to be successful due to play calling. With the firing of Bryan Harsin and his staff a change at the play calling role this weekend could change things. 

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al.com

 

5 pressing questions, a prediction with a Mississippi State reporter

Published: Nov. 04, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

5-6 minutes

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Head to Head: Auburn at Mississippi State

What a week, huh?

It has been a whirlwind few days for Auburn and Mississippi State. John Cohen resigned as athletics director in Starkville, Miss., on Monday morning before being announced as the next AD at Auburn later that day. In the hours between those two announcements, Auburn fired head coach Bryan Harsin and six staffers -- including offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Brad Bedell -- and named Cadillac Williams as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Read more Auburn football: Cadillac Williams reflects on “bittersweet” opportunity, “heavy” burden as Auburn’s interim coach

Cadillac Williams on recruiting plan: “Only at Auburn do dreams come true”

A look at Auburn’s retooled coaching staff under Cadillac Williams

And that’s just the off-field craziness that kicked off the week; Auburn (3-5, 1-4 SEC) and Mississippi State (5-3, 2-3) still have a game to play this weekend. The Tigers and Bulldogs will meet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium, with the game airing on ESPN2. Auburn will try to snap a four-game losing streak and get Williams’ tenure as interim coach off on a positive note, while Mississippi State will try to end a two-game skid of its own and win its second in a row against the Tigers.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, we reached out to Stefan Krajisnik of The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, Miss.) to preview the teams’ SEC West showdown in Starkville and answer five key questions about the game. You can follow Stefan on Twitter (@skrajisnik3) for more excellent Missouri news and insight.

Let’s get to the questions:

1. What’s this week like for Mississippi State, hosting an Auburn team that not only has an interim coach, but a program that just poached the Bulldogs’ athletics director for its own AD spot?

Krajisnik: “For the athletic department, it has been a hectic week. For the football team, not much has changed. Mike Leach does a good job of, frankly, not caring about what is happening outside game preparations. He and his players have said this week’s preparation hasn’t changed much with the new staff at Auburn based on the fact that the same players are still there. They expect Auburn to lean on its running game. The football staff doesn’t seem to have hard feelings toward John Cohen entering the matchup. The fans might, though.”

2. Will Rogers has certainly been a prolific passer the last two years, but what – if anything – has changed for him since last year’s Auburn game, when he threw for six touchdowns in that comeback win? Since that game, he has 36 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Krajisnik: “He has done a good job of reading the drop-eight defense. Teams cannot just drop back against him anymore. Where he has struggled this year is when teams mix things up defensively. Kentucky and LSU did. Arkansas and Texas A&M didn’t, which led to big numbers. He has a strong understanding of this offense and therefore he has built an ability to pick apart the drop eight.”

3. With Auburn’s run defense among the worst in the nation this season, do you see any scenario where Mississippi State – which runs the ball less than any FBS team – actually tries to exploit Auburn’s deficiencies in that area?

Krajisnik: “Mississippi State’s offense has been at its best when it runs the ball. While the rushing totals are down compared to other schools, the quality of runs has improved from Leach’s first two seasons. MSU, at its best, leans on the run early to keep defenses honest. That’s when the passing game opens up for the Air Raid to take true form. I expect to see that gameplan against Auburn.”

4. Is there a matchup that you believe the Bulldogs hold a distinct advantage over the Tigers?

Krajisnik: “I think MSU’s corners have an edge over the Auburn receivers. When you have corners that can take receivers one-on-one, it helps a lot in allowing your defense to really focus on stopping the run, which MSU will need to do.”

5. What’s your final score prediction, and how do you see this game playing out in Starkville?

Krajisnik: “I think Auburn, fueled on emotions from the past week, will come out strong and keep the game close early. But MSU’s offense, by building leads, has done a good job of eliminating opponents’ rushing offenses in the second half. I think that’ll be the case Saturday and MSU will win 35-17.”

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

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si.com

 

Making the case: Why Lane Kiffin should be Auburn's next head coach

Lance Dawe

5-6 minutes

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It's time for a new series here at Auburn Daily, where we begin to "make the case" for each of Auburn's head coaching candidates.

We will start with the most popular name being discussed on the Plains: Lane Kiffin, coach of the Ole Miss Rebels.

Let's take a look at Kiffin's resume, scheme, and overall suitability for the Tigers.

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The Fit

Auburn is in need of a few things.

First, the Tigers are in need of a relatively serious roster overhaul after Harsin and his staff left it barren for next season. The portal is going to have to be one of the primary focuses of whichever coach Auburn chooses to hire.

Who else to choose to fill in the gaps other than the Portal King?

During his time at Ole Miss, Kiffin has made a name for himself recruiting the transfer portal extremely well - while he himself was openly skeptical about it's returns in year three back in July at SEC Media Days (and throughout fall camp), Kiffin has been able to make it work without former OC Jeff Lebby - whom many projected to be the most valuable piece on Ole Miss' coaching staff last season.

Apparently, not so. Turns out Kiffin can handle the scheme on his own. This brings me to my second thing that Auburn needs:

Auburn needs a coaching staff that is competent and will bring in a fresh offensive system. The two times the Tigers have brought in a "pro-style" offense over the last decade, it's produced two of the worst seasons in Auburn football history. Kiffin will bring an exciting, explosive offense to the Plains.

I said it last season and I will say it again: The modern era of Auburn football has not and likely will never recruit pro-style, west-coast personnel long enough to reshape the offensive identity for an extended period of time (meaning 5-10 years). Harsin's scheme was not going to work with the players on roster, and once he got his quarterbacks into the system, they still failed.

The Tigers need something different.

Something that isn't discussed enough is how Kiffin turned one of the worst defenses in the SEC into a top half unit in yards allowed per play, scoring defense, and third-down conversion rate.

On the whole, Kiffin's personality combined with his proven track record in the SEC leads me to believe that he would be a solid fit with the Tigers.

The Resume

Record at Ole Miss: 23-9 (18-4 not counting the 2020 COVID season)

Overall Record: 84-42

Head coaching experience: Oakland Raiders, Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic, Ole Miss

Other experience: Fresno State (assistant), Colorado State (GA), Jacksonville Jaguars (DQC), USC (TE, WR, PGC, OC), Alabama (OC/QB)

Notes: One of the most important things the Tigers want out of this coaching search is candidates with SEC experience. Kiffin has that, and he's currently working wonders at Ole Miss - The Rebels have only lost four games over the past two seasons.

My Thoughts

I think the most important thing to note when talking about Kiffin in comparison to some of the other big names in this coaching search is his "fit" relative to guys like Deion Sanders, Hugh Freeze, Dan Lanning, etc.

Personally, I think Kiffin fits what Auburn is and wants to be perfectly. He's chaotic, energetic, fun, and possesses a creative and modern approach to the game both on and off the field. As previously mentioned, due to Auburn's looming roster deficiencies, Kiffin would be an excellent candidate due to his prowess in the transfer portal.

By no means am I suggesting that Lane would completely remake the roster through the portal and then find sustained success through it - I'm actually not a huge proponent of using the portal to that extreme (e.g. Michigan State). It doesn't generate a solid enough foundation for many programs, specifically one like Auburn who needs someone to really tap into their strong potential in high school recruiting.

However, if we're basing the hire off of need for better coaching and schematics, along with a staff that actually understands how to get bodies in the room, Kiffin is a solid coach to consider.

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Must read stories

Lane Kiffin's contract details, what it would take for Auburn to get him

New staff designations for Auburn following Harsin's firing

Candidates to replace Bryan Harsin at Auburn

REPORT: Auburn players want Deion Sanders

ESPN believes Hugh Freeze to be front-runner in Auburn head coaching search

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Mississippi State cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath breaks down matchup with Auburn

Taylor Jones

2-3 minutes

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The Mississippi State Bulldogs return to Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday to face a squad that has seen a complete turnaround since its’ last game just one week ago, the Auburn Tigers.

Auburn University hired its’ newest athletic director, John Cohen, on Monday. Coincidentally, Cohen came from Mississippi State.

Buy Tigers Tickets

Not only was that news dropped, but the bombshell of Bryan Harsin’s dismissal was also shared on the same day. Auburn legend Carnell Williams has taken over the program in an interim role.

How much does a new coach affect the opposition’s game plan? Mississippi State cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath says not so much, as he feels that five days is not enough time for Auburn to install a brand new system.

“It’s kind of the same. Because you look at it, they’re not going to be able to put in a whole lot more new in a few days,” McBath said. “They’ll probably get better at the things they’ve been doing. You might see a few adjustments here and there, kind of a flavor of whoever is calling the plays.”

The most challenging part of McBath’s job this week, is to make sure that his cornerbacks are prepared for Auburn’s receiving unit. Which is a group that he has plenty of respect for.

“They do a good job, honestly. They’ve got some talented dudes, they’ve got some talented cats and they do a good job, especially with the quarterback transition,” McBath said. “They do a good job with their tight ends. The quarterback has a strong arm. These receivers, they find creative ways to get them the ball that’s not exactly straight down the field. A lot of tunnel screens, a lot of bubbles, just any way they can get in their hands. And they do a good job scheming guys up and having specific plays for certain defense.”

Mississippi State ranks No. 7 in the SEC in yards allowed, surrendering 375 yards per contest. As for Auburn’s offense, they gain an average of 389 yards per game, which is No. 9 in the SEC.

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Auburn football rumors: 2 names leading the pack in coaching search

Mary Kate Hughes

2-3 minutes

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Auburn football Sep 24, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning watches the video board against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Ducks won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

 

The Auburn football program made a major change mid-season when they fired head coach Bryan Harsin, a move that many thought was long overdue. The newly-hired university president announced that the football program would be pursuing new leadership, and then shortly after hired John Cohen as the new athletic director.

Meanwhile, Cadillac Williams was named interim head coach, making history as the first Black head coach in Auburn football history. With several coordinators being sent out the door along with Harsin, the remaining staff members have moved around to fill in the gaps and there is a completely new energy surrounding the team.

Though the immediate priority for the Tigers is to somehow get to a bowl game at the end of the 2022 season, most of the attention is being paid to the coaching search going on behind the scenes. Fan favorites for the next head coach include Lane Kiffin and Deion Sanders, but who is really in the lead for the job as of now?

According to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live, Lane Kiffin and Dan Lanning are emerging as top targets. Fly War Eagle noted yesterday that Dan Lanning was a new name to track in the coaching search, per Auburn Live, and as a coach that previously spent time in the south and specifically in the SEC, the move is considered to be a possibility.

Likewise, it seems the powers that be are highly interested in pulling Kiffin away from Ole Miss, but it could end up being tough. If Ole Miss beats Alabama next weekend, the Rebs will head to Atlanta for the first time, and that could complicate things for the Tigers.

It’s likely that we see a move to make a hire pretty quickly after the Iron Bowl at the end of the season, but until then, Coach Caddy and the team will still be battling it out on the field.

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Joseph Goodman: It’s time to ride with Cadillac

Updated: Nov. 04, 2022, 6:50 p.m.|Published: Nov. 04, 2022, 6:45 a.m.

6-8 minutes

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Carnell Williams paused when I asked him about his first message as head coach to his Auburn football team.

It was a long pause for a phone interview, but a short one when measured against history. About the time it takes for a game-winning 50-yard field goal to clear the uprights from foot to forever. Williams gathered his emotions as best he could and took a deep breath. This is what the first Black head football coach of Auburn University said to his team.

“Honestly,” he said.

And then he stopped, catching himself. He could not hide, even on the phone, how much this all means to him and through him Auburn. Carnell Williams represents the soul of not only Auburn University, but the state of Alabama and everything that is right about this thing that is college football in the Southeastern Conference.

RELATED: Highlights from Tiger Talk with Auburn coach Carnell Williams

RELATED: Three questions facing Auburn and Carnell Williams

RELATED: Carnell Williams reflects on ‘bittersweet’ opportunity

JOE VS. THE PRO AND THE HERO: Week 10 picks are here

From Attalla, Alabama, to this. So many memories. So much history. Think of all the experiences. Wins and loses. Injuries and injuries and then the injustice of the BCS. Coming back home to Auburn to finish a degree, and then coming back home to coach. From Tommy Tuberville bringing Auburn’s entire coaching staff to Williams’ childhood home on a Monday night in January 2001, to another life-changing Monday when Williams, at 40 years old, with a life shaped by Auburn University and molded in the crucible of the SEC, was made the interim head coach after the firing of Bryan Harsin.

Williams looked at his team, and he saw himself, and then he spoke a truth that came from a heart weighted by humility.

“Honestly, it was two things,” he said. “One thing I stressed on was family. Two decades ago, that is one of the main reasons that I chose Auburn University, because of the family atmosphere.

“I grew up in a big family, and I came here and I loved everything about it, that blue-collar mentality, how not only do they love Auburn football but love Auburn and just love people. So, the people within these walls are what made Auburn great, so that’s one thing I hit on with these players.

“The second thing is just the hard work, that blue-collar mentality — that relentless effort, you know? Finishing on every play, never quitting, just outworking your opponents in each and every thing you do. Everything that our creed is exemplified by, that is honestly what I shared with those guys in that team meeting.”

This just feels right, doesn’t it?

There is something about Williams picking up Auburn off the mat, and putting Auburn on his back during these moments, that just feels like things are instantly better. Auburn could lose every game for the rest of the season, but I already know that with Williams as the coach Auburn’s spirit is not going to be defeated.

And I am not alone in this feeling.

I don’t know who’s going to be Auburn’s next permanent head football coach, but I do know that Auburn is ready to ride or die with Cadillac. After one interview with Williams, I know that Auburn football is in good hands until a decision is made about the future and a permanent coach is hired. Auburn has beaten itself up for a long time over football, but with Williams the healing has already started and a path out of the darkness is clear.

Who used to coach Auburn football? I can’t remember. Call it COVID brain fog. Doesn’t matter now anyways. By so many degrees, Williams is the start of something new and meaningful for Auburn and for Alabama.

He’s the first Black coach of an SEC football team in the state, and at a time when there are no other Black head coaches in the entire league. That means something. If you’re an Auburn grad, if you’re a resident or a native of Alabama, then that should make you proud.

Y’all, I am beaming.

Auburn plays at Mississippi State on Saturday night, and then is back at home at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov.12 for Texas A&M. It’s under the lights, too. Kickoff at 6:30 p.m. What a night that will be. What an inspiring turn towards destiny with one decision. Williams was coaching running backs for the Birmingham Iron at Legion Field in 2018. The Iron’s entire league folded in the middle of its first season. Williams was out of work. Gus Malzahn’s staff brought him home.

What a trip.

I asked Williams some pointed questions in his first media session. He crushed them. His answers were perfect. Of course they were, though. Williams is an SEC lifer. He gets it. He’s ready for this. Williams knows what it means to be a coach in the SEC because Williams was raised by these ways.

First question: Do you have any interest in being the permanent coach?

“Honestly, all I’m trying to do is win a football game this week and do my best for these players and this staff and the Auburn family,” Williams said. “Honestly, I’m taking it one day at a time — literally, one minute at a time. I’m not even focused on all the what if’s. I’m honestly being where my feet are — not only myself, but also this team.”

Second question: Do you have a plan in place for recruiting?

“Yes, sir. I do,” Williams said. “I actually do. One of the things I definitely want to get out to recruits and the rest of the world: only at Auburn do dreams come true. I’m forever indebted to this institution. It changed the whole trajectory of the Williams family.

“I met my wife here; my two boys — Auburn has been so good to me. Every dream I wanted to accomplish, this place gave me the opportunity. Now for me to be in this position, I just want to get it out there: only at Auburn do dreams come true. It’s a lot of guys, from the Bo Jacksons to the Cam Newtons to the Karlos Dansbys to the Carlos Rogers — all the guys that came here and were able to accomplish their dreams and do a lot of great things.”

Williams doesn’t have to convince anyone of who he is and what he represents. All he has to do is be himself. Williams is the real thing, and his opportunity is not by luck or chance. History is here for Auburn with sudden beauty because it was united by common dreams all along.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of “We Want Bama: A season of hope and the making of Nick Saban’s ‘ultimate team’”. You can find him on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.

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Can Cadillac Williams continue 2022 trend of fast starts for interim coaches?

Published: Nov. 04, 2022, 11:00 a.m.

4-5 minutes

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Cadillac Williams doesn’t know what the next month holds, or anything beyond that, frankly.

All he knows is that, as of Monday, he bears the weight of his alma mater on his broad shoulders. Williams was named Auburn’s interim coach Monday, shortly after the program fired Bryan Harsin less than two years into his six-year contract. Williams will guide Auburn for the next four games as the team tries to salvage a disappointing season, the Tigers sitting at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in SEC play heading into Saturday’s matchup with Mississippi State (6:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Read more Auburn football: Cadillac Williams reflects on “bittersweet” opportunity, “heavy” burden as Auburn’s interim coach

Cadillac Williams on recruiting plan: “Only at Auburn do dreams come true”

Scarbinsky: With football, Auburn’s president means business

“What I told those guys, what’s going to make me happy these next four weeks, there’s no promises,” Williams said. “I don’t know if we’re going to win a ballgame or not.”

It’s a daunting task ahead for Williams and a retooled coaching staff — six other football staffers, including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Brad Bedell, were fired Monday afternoon — but one the former Auburn All-America running back and program legend is embracing. It will mark his first time serving as a head coach at any level during his still-fledgling career, which only just began in 2015 at Division II Henderson State.

Williams is just the third interim coach in Auburn history, following Bill Oliver (1998 following the firing of Terry Bowden) and Kevin Steele (2020 after Auburn fired Gus Malzahn). Oliver went 2-3 in five games in that role, while Steele lost his only game as interim coach, the Citrus Bowl against Northwestern.

While interim coaching tags have been relatively rare on the Plains, there are already several across college football this season, as the coaching carousel began spinning early this year. Auburn is the seventh FBS team to make an in-season coaching change this fall, while UAB also has an interim coach in Bryant Vincent after Bill Clark’s sudden retirement in June.

So far this season, those interim coaches are 14-15 overall. Wisconsin’s Jim Leonhard (2-1) and Charlotte’s Pete Rossomando (1-0) are the only ones with winning records. Vincent (4-4) and Georgia Tech’s Brent Key (2-2) have their respective teams at .500 under their watch, while Nebraska’s Mickey Joseph (2-3), Arizona State’s Shaun Aguano (2-3) and Colorado’s Mike Sanford (1-2) haven’t quite been able to turn things around for their programs since taking over.

Five of those seven coaches started off their interim tenure with a win: Key, Sanford, Leonhard, Vincent and, most recently, Rossomando last week.

Williams has a chance to succeed at Auburn, which despite its struggles this season has what on paper looks like a manageable November schedule. Along with Saturday’s trip to Starkville, Miss., to take on a Mississippi State team that has lost two in a row, Auburn hosts a Texas A&M team that is also on a four-game skid and at the bottom of the SEC West after entering the year with sky-high expectations, then finishes its home slate with a nonconference matchup against Western Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium. That, of course, is followed by a difficult road trip to Tuscaloosa to take on rival No. 6 Alabama.

Auburn needs to win three of those four games to make a bowl for the 10th straight season, but the team’s record over the next month isn’t Williams’ chief concern as he tries to hold the program together amid its second coaching change in two years.

“One thing that’s going to make me happy is if we play good football — and hard, Auburn football,” Williams said. “I honestly — that’s what I want to get these kids to do, man — play hard and compete. At the end of the day, I told these kids, win, lose or draw, if we do that, not only will we make ourselves proud, but I know the Auburn family will be proud of us, too.”

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

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SEC to study ways to keep fans from storming field

Published: Nov. 04, 2022, 11:13 a.m.

3-4 minutes

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1. SEC

SEC to study strategies on crowd control, keeping fans from storming field

Tennessee fans tear down the goal post after defeating Alabama 52-49 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)AP

By

• Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com

The SEC has formed a working group to “address post-game spectator incursion” — AKA storming the field/court — after a number of high-profile incidents in recent weeks.

The conference already has an escalating fine structure in place for schools whose fans invade the playing area en masse in football and basketball, which typically occurs after significant or unexpected victories by the home team. However, little is done by on-site security to keep large numbers of fans off the field or court in real time once the game has ended.

The new working group, made up of “athletics directors, event management directors and campus security personnel” from across the SEC, will study the issue and any policy changes that might be made. Such recommendations will be introduced at the 2023 SEC Spring Meetings, with implementation likely for the 2023-24 athletic year.

“Current conference policies need to be reviewed and improved with a focus on addressing field and court incursions by spectators after contests,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said. “The SEC’s Working Group on Event Security will focus its efforts on reviewing existing policies, developing new strategies and identifying best practices to enhance crowd management and more effectively address field and court incursions at future SEC athletics events.”

Though field/court storming happens several times a year in the SEC, it seems the spark that led to calls for change occurred in the aftermath of Tennessee’s 52-49 victory over Alabama in Knoxville on Oct. 15. Thousands of fans rushed the field at Neyland Stadium to celebrate, resulting in at least one physical altercation between Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton and a female Volunteers fan.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said afterward that he and many of his players — including Burton — felt unsafe while trying to exit the field. Despite widespread calls for public discipline, Burton was not suspended and played the following week vs. Mississippi State.

Tennessee was fined $100,000 by the SEC as a second-time offender of its policy for “Access to Competition Area.” LSU was fined $250,000 after fans entered the field following a victory over Ole Miss in Baton Rouge on Oct. 22, the third such incident at Tiger Stadium since 2014.

The SEC Working Group on Event Security include athletics directors Greg Byrne of Alabama, Mitch Barnhart of Kentucky and Josh Brooks of Georgia, among others. Kelvin King, head of campus security at Auburn, is also a member of the group.

“Providing consistent and appropriate levels of safety and security remains the common goal of SEC member institutions,” Sankey said. “Our institutions remain current and vigilant in crowd control best practices and continue to work with local law enforcement to develop effective security protocols at SEC venues and we need to continue the adaptation of Conference policies to address emerging realities.”

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[I_M4_AU 8,940]

Alabama

Alabama has never rushed the field and, barring some ridiculous period of irrelevance, probably never will. Because Alabama is often the butt of field storming, it’s easy to see why fans would view their team as above it.

Florida

Florida, just like Alabama, is over it. It has never rushed the field. This one is admittedly more surprising since the Gators’ history is more comparable to Georgia or Tennessee than Alabama, but perhaps there is a distinguished layer of class under all of those jorts.

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/last-time-each-sec-team-rushed-the-field/

If Florida had to play Alabama yearly, they too would feel the need to storm the field to celebrate beating the most obnoxious team and fans in college football.

 

 

[aubiefifty 18,250]

WATCH: Cadillac Williams delivers passionate speech to Auburn players ahead of first game as interim head coach

Nick Schultz

3 minutes

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Auburn interim coach Carnell Williams has received a commitment from the No. 1 JUCO IOL.

Saturday will be a big day for Auburn and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. It’ll mark Williams’ first game as the Tigers’ interim head coach after the firing of Bryan Harsin. This marks a new chapter of his journey from Auburn star to NFL running back to, eventually, a member of the Tigers’ coaching staff.

He’s not taking the opportunity lightly, and that’s evident by the speech he gave to his team ahead of his debut.

“It’s truly, truly, all about the ball, man,” Williams started.

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Football changed Williams’ life. He walked the players through his journey to becoming a No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Football also provided him an opportunity to get a college degree, and he’ll represent his alma mater as interim head coach Saturday against Mississippi State.

“A lot of you guys know my story. I’ll try not to get emotional,” Williams said. “Raised at home, a single parent, six kids. All I had was a dream, and I fell in love with the game of football. I made it all about this ball. And I will be forever indebted to this ball here because it has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. It has opened up doors. It has brought people in my life. Brought me to Auburn University. Got me a degree. Got me to play in the NFL. The ultimate thing, helped me provide for my family, take care of my mom. Changed the trajectory of my family.

“So, I say, ‘All about the ball,’ truly all about the ball.”

 

Sorry i cannot get the video to load. they print what he said. i need to up my puter skills.