Auburn’s Offensive Coaching Staff in 2024
The coaching staff of the Auburn Tigers in 2024 will appear different. This is particularly true when the ball is on the offensive end of the court. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery was told he would not be retained following the humiliating loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl. A few weeks later, the coaching staff was stunned to learn that fan favorite Carnell “Cadillac” Williams had left. The job of hiring a new offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, and running back coach fell to head coach Hugh Freeze.
Auburn’s 2024 Offense Coaches: A New Playcaller
When Freeze declared he would not call plays after the 2022 season, it came as a huge surprise to everyone. In his coaching career, this was a first. He has been Liberty’s playcaller and Ole Miss’s. Montgomery stepped in at that point. As offensive coordinator, the former Tulsa head coach had success at Houston and Baylor. He served as a coach for players including Case Keenum, Bruce Petty, and Robert Griffin III at those stops. That Freeze would not call the plays was still puzzling.
In 2023, the Tigers did have significant offensive difficulties, and their passing game was not always successful. With 351.2 yards per game overall and 162.2 passing yards per game, Auburn was tenth in the SEC. In five of the Tigers’ contests, quarterback Payton Thorne failed to complete passes of more than 100 yards. After the games, it was evident that Freeze was dissatisfied with Montgomery and his strategy. There was never a feeling that the two were in agreement. Chris Low of ESPN stated that Freeze would take over playcalling after Montgomery was benched.
Fresh Mentors
The question then became who would be the offensive coordinator as Freeze assumed control of the playcalling duties. When it was revealed on January 17th that Auburn had hired Derrick Nix away from Ole Miss, the question was addressed. During his 16 years at Ole Miss, Nix worked as the running backs coach for 12 of those seasons and as the wide receivers coach for the final four. Nix is familiar with Freeze’s work on his Oxford staff from his time at Ole Miss. In addition, he will coach the running backs. Among the running backs for Auburn are Jarquez Hunter, Brian Battie, Jeremiah Cobb, and Damir Alston.
The new coach of the quarterbacks is a promotion from within the organization. Veteran coach Kent Austin will move from being an analyst to a position on the field. Under Freeze, Austin was Liberty’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2019 to 22. Austin contributed to Malik Willis’ development together with Freeze. Now, the combination’s job is to get better at quarterback, which includes Thorne, Hank Brown, Holden Geriner, and incoming rookie Walker White. Austin coached two teams in the Canadian Football League for six seasons: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2013–17) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2007). During those seasons, he went 48–50 and finished 1-2 in the Grey Cup. The 2007 season was the championship one.
Coaches Returning
For the 2024 campaign, wide receiver coach Marcus Davis, offensive line coach Jake Thornton, and tight end coach Ben Aigamaua will all be back. Without a doubt, Davis had a fantastic off-season, contributing to the selection of one of the top wide receiver classes in recent memory. In addition to four-stars Malcolm Simmons and Bryce Cain, that group includes five-star pledges Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson. With Nick Saban’s resignation, Ryan Williams of Saraland reopened his recruitment, and the Tigers could be able to add to that group.
