Auburn hires an OL coach
Auburn's search for a new offensive line coach has ended.Coach Gene Chizik has hired Jeff Grimes from University of Colorado to manage the Tigers' offensive front. He spent two seasons with the Buffaloes and three at Brigham Young prior to that.
Grimes also has worked at Arizona State and Boise State.
``I’m very excited about coming to Auburn, working for Coach Chizik and joining the tremendous staff that he has put together," Grimes said. “As coaches, we are competitive and love challenges and I’m looking forward to coaching with, and against, some of the best players in the country. I can’t express enough, how excited I am about coming to Auburn right now at this time. I’m thrilled about the opportunity and excited to help build something great.”
Photo credit: CU Athletics
posted by Jay G. Tate at
1:52 PM
162 Comments:
Does he have the chops to get the job done?
first? me? wow. colorado.. hope they can run it like nebraska back in the 80's
dang it
quatro....it's an honor.
somewhere we know Griff is smiling and saying "Whew."
fred smoot
arrrggghhh wrong team
Bear, my apologies.
Jordin Sparks did a good job with the Star Spangled Banner.
I hope Griff is smiling.
Don't know much about him, UC doesn't have it's coaching bios up, but I like the thought of a younger guy than the several we had mentioned. A young aggressive staff that will work hard to make it happen...that's my wishlist for this staff.
Solid hire. Buff fans I know say he is their best offensive coach and recruiter. They are pissed.
He picked up 2 4* OL's last year for CU and he was recruting our OL Commit Aaron Moore for them
http://colorado.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=1357&Team=14&Sport=1&Year=2008
GO GRIFF!!!
Griff ... finally gets some relief.
Based on that reaction to the TD, the folks in Arizona have learned to act like football fans. When I lived there in the mid-90's, they "clapped politely" for Jake the Snake.
Without filling the whole page. A few blurbs from his 2008 bio:
Jeff Grimes is in second year as assistant head coach, running game coordinator and offensive line coach at Colorado.
Grimes, 39, came to CU from Brigham Young University, where he coached the offensive line for the 2004 through 2006 seasons. It is a reunion of sorts with several CU assistants, as he was on the 2000 Boise State staff when Hawkins was an assistant. He was the offensive line coach that season, before moving on to Arizona State where he worked the next three years (2001-03) as the O-line coach in addition to serving as running game coordinator. At ASU, he worked closely with current CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who spent five years on the Sun Devil staff before joining Hawkins in Boulder last season.
His 2006 BYU linemen were a big part of the Cougars’ Mountain West Conference championship team, which drilled Oregon 38-8 in the Las Vegas Bowl to finish 11-2 for the season. BYU averaged 465.5 yards per game on offense, 323.5 through the air, both figures fourth in the nation, averaged a healthy 141.9 on the ground and allowed just 15 quarterback sacks in 13 games, or just one for every 30.1 passing attempts.
His players achieved great success in his three seasons at Arizona State, and with four of his 2001 seniors drafted into the NFL, it marked just the second time that had been done at any school since the NFL adopted the seven-round draft format in 1993.
In his one season at Boise State, Grimes’ offensive line helped the Broncos lead the nation in scoring offense and accumulate 175 rushing yards per game.
Overall, he brought 14 years of previous coaching experience to Colorado, beginning in 1993 as a high school coach in his native Texas (Riverside in El Paso).
Grimes graduated from the University of Texas-El Paso in 1991with a bachelor’s degree in education after earning four letters as an offensive tackle for the Miners between 1987 and 1990, including three years under former BSU and ASU head coach Dirk Koetter when he was UTEP’s offensive coordinator and two years under current Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid.
He was in training camp with both the Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL and the San Antonio Riders of the World Football League before entering coaching.
Grimes was born September 23, 1968 in Garland, Texas
TOP PLAYERS COACHED— NFL Players/Draft Picks (11): Carnahan, Hodgdon, Hill, Jones (the 10th overall pick of the 2002 draft), Eddie Keele, Kosier, Kuresa, Peters, Tyler Polumbus, Scott, Young.
That audible "Whew" i just heard outside must have been Griff.
Seems like a good hire.
Jay Tate- any thoughts on a DB's coach? isn't that all we lack now?
Wow! What a steal! Go Chizik!
My recruit-by-recruit breakdown now is complete if you're interested in that kind of thing.
JGT....we gotta get you a new avatar. That Stoic-IGOR is startin' to haunt.
Also, Jay Tate- or any one else- -
Find it interesting that Grimes was the "running game coord"- and when I watched the GMAC bowl, they referred to the coach who is going to replace Malzahn as the "running game coord".
At the time, I didn't know if because Malzahn was leaving, they split it up so the new guy could at least coordinate 1/2 of the offensive before Malzahn left- --or now maybe i am thinking that's the way malzahn does things- -he handles pass and another guy calls runs?
Thoughts?
Changed it just for you, hoopie.
someone tell me what Grimes saw in coming to AU from CU? Just a payraise?
Was he one of the ones who came in to interview?
WDEwg, it was my understanding that Malzahn was co-offensive coordinator at Tulsa. The Tulsa coach had dictated a certain amount of running per game as well as having a tight end on the field and throwing down field at least 5 times a quarter.
Steve
Any thoughts on whether CGM will delegate running game play calls to Grimes, or do it all himself
jet- it ok, i think i will live.
Jay, you may have done this in the past, but some of us are unsure. DO these recruits get travel money to come to AU? cash, gas card, etc, or does it come from their own dime. What about meals? are the hosts given a credit card to take them to dinner, do the coaches all take them out, etc. WHen Kenny King was being recruited, ( i was one of his HS coaches @ Daphne)he told me a story about when he met with Spurrier @ UF and the way he was"reimbursed". it was, lets just say, informative.
I'm glad to know that our new OL coach understands that this ain't intramurals ... It's DIVISION I-A FOOTBALL!
Auburn reimburses them for mileage.
Auburn pays directly for commercial flights -- and associated ground transportation -- when necessary.
Auburn pays for meals, though it's generally done in a group setting. They rent out a restaurant and go about it like that.
I know the big group breaks into smaller groups on Saturday night, which surely leads to more eating. My guess is that the player hosts are reimbursed, though they may get money ahead of time. I don't know.
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
We're on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" program on recruiting expenses.
Ix-nay on the oney-may talk.
If you guys don't read my recruit-by-recruit analysis from this morning ... I'll be very disappointed.
Twelve comments for that massive undertaking is a major disappointment.
Jay G,
Your recruiting masterpiece was such a model of indepth reporting that any comments would take away from its brilliance.
Amazing work, Denny.
Now I feel better.
WDEwg, I have no idea. Maybe Luper will direct the running game. This is going to be a very interesting offensive staff.
As this is the current thread ... I will comment here ... nice work ... we appreciate your efforts.
i read them, Jay. Great work. Do some of these kids seem to think of themselves as stars/primadonnas already, meaning with all the attention? Also, thanks for the $$$$ info, just thought people were wondering those things. Lets hope we do not have a "Sony" repeat of last Sunday's thread.
JGT...on second thought..maybe IGOR wasn't so haunting after all!
Well...Grimes has been around some high powered Western offenses. We'll see how his techniques/schemes work against the SEC super athlete DL. Hawkins is a coaching icon in the western US, so you do have to wonder why he would make the move. Boulder is a gorgeous place with redicluously liberal politics. Auburn is a nice community with values. AU is throwing asst. coach $$$ around second only to Tennessee.
Tony Barnhart wrote an article in Dec. stating that he felt AU needed to put together a different offensive product than $aban and not compete directly. tubs recognized that, but got a bad start doing so. Urban Meyer brought western offensive coaches in and made it work in the SEC, we seem to be attempting the same.
Jay, In interviewing these guys..which of the visiting recruits that haven't already committed to Auburn...in your opinion...seemed most excited about Auburn?
Eguae is very high on Auburn.
Washington sounds like an Auburn lean to me.
Aside from Gulley and Sullen, both of whom committed today, nobody else seemed blown away by the experience.
Here's how I would rate their interest in Auburn ... from most to least:
Sullen/Ford/Gulley
Eguae
Washington
Blake
Jones
"Tanay" Patrick
Moore
Jay....definitely appreciate the recruit interviews...the photos/Q&Aadd a personal touch. You seem to connect with Olinemen as well as you report on their practices.
I had already backed up and read your final draft. It's just that I don't comment on that stuff much until signing day.
Jay - FAN FREAKIN TASTIC coverage of the recruits. Appreciate it.
I cannot believe the Cardinals are bringing the spank to the Eagles. This is getting very interesting.
Jay,
I too want ot tell you we got a welth of in-depth analysis from your recruit-by-recruit breakdown....
I take you Grand Poo-pa!
Ok Guys I'm gonna go ahead and call it!!!!
Cardinals are opening up a king size can of WhoopA$$ on the Eagles....
I guess it's a "BIRD" fight!!!!
that's Cardinals ball.
Thanks for your support -- Mon and AUn and hoopie.
Sundays get kinda long. I'm glad you all enjoy what comes of it.
I'm Pleased.
Just a passing observation..maybe the Eagles should double-team Fitzgerald. Other Cardinals are making plays, but not scoring.
The Az Cardinals in the Super Bowl? That's kinda shocking .....like when Atlanta went.
That retractable dome stadium sure has bosted enthusiasm for football. When I lived out there, 1/3 of the season was played in +100 degree heat.
JGT...will you be able to parlay all of this work/effort into an article in the Advertiser? Some small adjustments and you've got an article.
Jay... thanks for the recruiting roundup. Great job this morning!
I'd love for us to be able to grab Blake... hopefully he bonded well with Burns while he was here.
Sorry there weren't more comments on that thread, you were forced to put up a new one too quickly...
Someone tell me about Grimes, why should we be excited about this hire? What kind of recruiter is he? I need something other than the generic info from his bio. Right now, I know nothing about the guy, and I don't know whether to like the hire or not.
By the way... AZ is on fire!
There is NO better WR in the league with the ball in the air than Fitzgerald! None...
only snow showers tonight :-(
I'd love a huge snow storm
..............!
Are you satisfied with the hire Griff? I know you're happy we have a coach... but does this hire get your seal of approval?
Article will appear tomorrow, no doubt.
I'm satisfied! Wooo hooooo!
Griff is satisfied.
Miller..My initial opinion is that this is not a BAD hire. The guy seems to have a pretty good western style offensive pedigree, which should fit in with our staff/philosophy.
My concern is whether his techniques/schemes will work against the athletic SEC DL. Urban Meyer brought western offensive guys into the SEC and got it to work. Anybody got the 2007 Bama-Colo Weedeater Bowl film? Watching the lineplay from that game my give you some answers.
Did anyone see Emmit Randle, WR Ruben Randle's dad, comments about the bama visit?
"It wasn't really anything that was unexpected," his father Emmett told TI. "But it was a nice visit."
That a way to stick it to the man!
One thing you gotta admit about these chizik hires, they wear some cool sun-glasses!
AUBigCat... That can be translated to
"We were expecting a good payday and walked away with exactly what we asked for."
Jay, your coverage of the recruit visits and the recruits themselves is the best I've seen anywhere. Premium site included. Word of the HABOTN is spreading.
Hoopie- if I have to watch UA-T weedeater bowl film, I'll just go ahead and assume Grimes is a GREAT hire.
Glad we got us an OL coach, looks to be a good hire from the preliminary check. Gotta say Mr. Sullen may be my fave tiger commit so far. When told he could come in and contend to play early, he says "i'd pretty much planned on that anyway". Flippin awesome.
Hood not lookin' so good :-(
Thanks for the kind words, astat.
Jay, great work on the recruiting info. I thought in the past you had stated you did not really get into recruiting and left that to the "other" sites. Did I misunderstand you on this topic, or did you change your mind on covering recruiting more in-depth?
depressed-
if recruits can change their minds, then I say Jay GT can, too
BTW AU Women beat Ark. 70-61....
Next up Bama!!!!
Damn two beat downs in one week!!!!
Bammers are gonna be playing the "Saint Nick Card" all week to justify them loosing to Auburn!!!
THT..I agree about watching UAT. Notice I suggested that someone else watch the game.
someone tell Rod Hood it's the NFCCG- it's time to lay out and deflect that ball, not just reach for it
THT, so you are saying Jay is committed to not covering recruiting, but is still deciding wheter to cover it or not? Now I understand.
New avatar sans reflection.
depressed ... I like covering recruits in January. Decision time is near.
I absolutely abhor recruiting coverage prior to, say, December 15.
depressed-
just sayin' if JGT previously said he wouldn't cover recruiting (true or not I don't know), then he can change his mind and cover recruiting.
ig's so hard o type with his dog on my arm
Jay G... you look PO'd in the new avatar... just sayin'
I guess it could be determined and focused though...
GREAT work on the recruit summaries Jay G. I'm so happy we have an OL coach, especially for Griff. He should be able to rest easy tonight!
That makes sense Jay. I have made several comments about the downward trend in AU recruiting the last couple of years. Does that ring true to you or am I way off?
I'm POed over depresse thinking the world is such an inflexible place.
Not really.
Umm... AZ better get back to playing... they have fallen asleep at the wheel in the 2nd half.
My wife gives me the same look.
Jay GT- l0ve your avatar are you usin PC or Mac
reason I ask is I don't know how to turn my mac camera on. (the dog has done it) and I HAD o reboor to get it turned off
JGT..sorry to be-labor the avatar again, but now we're back to the IGOR look(sans hat). That look is somewhere between PO'd--Focussed or constipated.
Phillie made some very good halftime adjustments. Warner had too much time in the first half.
FYI -- Izauea Lanier's first name is pronounced "Isaiah".
I didn't know that until today.
The HABOTN runs on a MacBook Pro.
THT, I think I mistakenly deleted one of your posts.
Sorry about that. I was just trying to clean up an already-deleted post ...
King of HABOTN=
can you let this lowly hottie serf know how to take a pic with macbook camera. you can email me carolinararemaps@gmail.com
Thanks in advance.
Search for the "photo booth" application on your hard drive. That's the key.
The picture of Coach GrimeZ looks like Eddie Gran.
Alright, peeps, I'm headed back to the Gump.
Keep it real.
ALSO: Would anyone in the Montgomery area care for a Rock Band night at a local bar/restaurant?
I want to get something like that started. Not necessarily HABOTN-related ... just for cool people to come kick it in a relaxed environment.
Been traveling so I have not had time to comment. Jay you rock the house with your insight with these visits. You can tell from your interaction that this staff is too late on some of these players but I am excited about the progress thus far. Next year you should be pretty busy because I think they will be in the hunt for some big time players.
Jay-
Your coverage of the recruiting weekend is second to none and very much appreciated. I am equally appreciative of the effort you obviously put into it. Ah, the HABOTN...there is no place like home.
Sorry Mr. Jay G. Tate, I only Rock Band/Guitar Hero in the privacy of my own home. People tend to laugh at my glazed over eyes and tongue lolling out the side of my mouth. Besides, all my high scores have come while I was playing in my underwear.
I liked the old avatar. For some reason, it reminded me of the kid from Christmas Story all grown up.
The recruiting update was excellent. I think the only way it could have been better is if you Vulcan mind melded the dudes to find out what they were really thinking. I would have offered to do it, but there are a few restraining orders in place to prevent that.
Hola Host and fellow Hotties - just getting caught up after the basic Sunday activities.
Solid recruiting work JGT. We all appreciate the efforts. Hopefully, some of the coaches efforts will bear fruit. I'm one of those pretty much in the boat with you JG except I don't have to make an income doing it - January and February are really the only time I pay any attention to recruiting news.
Now, it's off to give the son his bath and get him to bed.
Colorado gave up 29 sack for -213 yds
Auburn gave up 19 sacks for -151 yds
Both teams went 5-7.
Trends anyone?
thanks jgt - i found it
i love mac, but haven't leARNED all the vells and whisrles yet
i srill can'r type wifw thia sof on my EMW
doesn't molly look comfy
Pretty sure Colorado threw the ball a lot more than we did.
Congrats Dansby and Hood.
We threw it 340 and fired the OC mid year
They threw it 400 with staff intact.
Not much of a difference.
Molly looks precious THT.
Who would have thought Arizona would be in the Super Bowl?
Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl? Ummm, well, I now am certain I know absolutely nothing about football. Anyone up for checkers?
Sensi, you like to play devils advocate.
I would assume Gus had something to say with this hire. Hopefully they know something they statistics don't reflect.
Cards - Whoddathunkit...I do like Warner.
Martina McBride - Used to like her. Now when I see her I think Sean Hannity and (oops there it goes) I throw up a little bit in my mouth.
Go Steelers.
Terry Bradshaw having to cover the other postgame while his Steelers are playing.
J-Z....If you will do that Vulcan mind-meld thing and get us some WRs, I know several AU fan attorneys that will take care of any restraining orders pro-bono.
Kathy,
Stats are nothing more than a snapshot, for sure.
Auburn fans have to believe these coaches can perform better than the stats for sure. Otherwise, this looks rough.
But it doesn't mean anything until the first game is played. That's when the real analysis begins.
Til then, it's all fun fodder.
JGT, I'm up for a Rock Band/GH night. Sounds fun.
Emory Blake sounds like a sharp kid. Hope we get him.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sensi,
I don't see how this hire looks rough. Are you just looking at what happened in Bolder this one year on his resume? If so, I could see that. I tend to look at his whole resume though where the teams he has been associated with have generally lit up the scoreboard.
Clint Moseley commits to Auburn per Rivals.
I saw where Clint committed. Does that mean Cotton to Ole Miss?
I just saw on Scouts that we offered Moseley and he committed today. Guess Cotton is officially gone.
Wonder if that means Cotton is headed to Ole Miss...
Scout saya the QB from LeRoy is committed to AU. No subscription but this is the headline.
Emory Blake sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders... Sounds very grounded, not wanting to make a decision based on emotion.
you guys are fast.
wow, Moseley to Auburn. Did we just offer him today?
Mosely commits!!
There's an echo in here!!!
He's going pro in B'ball, so I guess that means we wasted a scholarship offer. What do u think?
Totally agree, Miller.
AUman, who are you talking about?
Moseley
I guess our signing Moseley means Cotton to Ole Miss.
Hadn't read that about Mosely.
I personally don't think Cotton is what we need. Mosley has proven it on the field. I saw Cotton play at Faith and he can throw it a mile but was not that impressive.
Brandon Moore: On Auburn being considered even with Alabama and Florida: "You really can't compare Alabama and Florida with Auburn. They're rebuilding. They don't even have their whole coaching staff, so I can't really get comfortable with people who don't have a whole coaching staff."
Someone needed to inform Brandon that Alabama and Florida don't have a whole coaching staff either!
Moseley definitely wants to be at Auburn, and he is Mr. Alabama!
Kathy...
on your Moore comment...
Lets leave common logic and reason out of recruiting.... =0)
I'm trying Leader! I'm usually not one to get all hyped up over recruiting, but Jay GT is keeping us so informed that it's hard to stay disinterested.
I just read where Moseley has been a bammer his whole life. Looks like their fans are not the only ones jumping ship.
AUman where did you see that Moseley is going to play pro baseball?
Chizik's wife was in on the meeting with Brandon Moore, his parents and sister. I thought that was interesting. (per Rivals)
Chizik's wife? That is strange Mon. It does sound like his family is very heavy in the decision process. I just don't think Moore wants to come to Auburn.
Monica, I just read where he says he wants to play one sport. I believe now it is football, unless he gets $ by being drafted real early. Pro scouts have been looking at him. He has been starting SS since 8th grade.
I would much rather have Cotton. Two years under Malzahn and he could have been great! I like kids with upside. Moseley should be very good as well under Malzahn. I hear he and his family are/were big Bama fans. That should give him extra motivation to beat them when his time comes.
The one recruit that I'd like to see change his mind and come to AU would be Tana. I think he could contribute immediately.
Me too Cat, but that one would surprise me.
AUman that's a big difference from what you first posted! geeezzz
There's a disturbing (to me) rumor that Durst is leaving the team because they won't give him a scholly. I hope that's just internet idiocy and not true. If anyone knows anything about this please enlighten me.
At the end of the day, we are going to war with the team we got....
I am just happy that it seems we actually have Coaches who can coach (if history is any indicator).
I cannot wait for A day...
Statguy, I saw a rumor a week or so ago about some Special Team player that was leaving the team, no name, no specifics. I consider everything a rumor until Jay GT tells us otherwise!
Wonder what type of format Chizik will use for A-Day. I think more people will show up this year.
Mon, I think I had a case of premature typularity. So I went to double check my facts. Sorry for any confusion.
92,000?
Don't think we'll get that crazy GaTiger!
I would be game for a Rock band event at a local establishment. Not that I know what is exactly involved in that, but I figure you crazy kids can get me hip to what that Rock Band scene is all about.
Just thinking out loud here, I wonder if AU still offers QB Tyrik Rollison, # 2 Dual Rated QB in the country, when he visits next weekend, since Moseley just committed. Since his academics are not quite in order I could see him signing with the understanding he would go to JUCO then resign with us. Maybe he could be our big QB signee next year as a top JUCO QB.
I like Moseley at QB. He's obviously a good athlete and a winner. With Burns, Trotter, Caudle, Todd and Moseley we should be just fine at QB.
We have 5 QBs on scholarship with this commit, correct? Burns, Caudle, Todd, Trotter, and now Moseley
Oops, sorry statguy, I was typing while you were posting.
I think you've got the Rollison situation nailed, DoWhat. I hope we get him.
I thought I heard/read Caudle was leaving. I may be confused, it happens often.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a QB transfer.
Thanks, Kathy. I wondered if I got them all. With that list I think Moseley could be a candidate for a redshirt. With a new staff with no preconceived opinions he could get a shot, though.
any news on why Petey Smith is no longer listed for next week's AU visit?
Good article on our new Oline coach
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/18/cu-assistant-head-football-coach-goes-auburn/
Hey Sensi this might explain the stats from Colorado last year: "Grimes’ 2008 line was ravaged by injury, with starters Miller (leg) and Max Tuioti-Mariner (knee) lost for the season."
Sensi, I would like you to change your name to Mr. Buzz Killer, and I would like you to wait at least 24 hours before giving us the reality check.
But, I love you anyway.
What if a situation doesn't warrant a reality check though Mr Phred?
TD!!!!
this game is a yawner
New thread up.
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