Ted Roof speaks

We'll be starting momentarily.

• "I'm excited about the opportunity Coach Chizik has afforded me."
  
  
• Which position will you coach?: "(Chizik) has not made a decision about that."
  
  
• Philosophy: "You've still got to stop the run to win football games. What you got to do is try to get people off kilter with going after folks and being aggressive and try to make teams one-dimensional so you can get creative on defense. It's not the schemes that win and lose for you; it's the players that you recruit and that you develop. At the same time, you're only going to be as good as your base defense and your fundamentals allow you to be. Because when you get in that thunderstorm, you've got to have a place you call home. Your base defense and playing fundamental football, just throwing blocks and getting off blocks and tackling and pursuit angles, all the things that seem so elementary to some people but are really the differences between winning and losing."
  
  
• Any coaches in particular shape your ideas?: ``I've been around a lot of good football coaches. I've learned from everybody I've been around. To say it's one person, that would not be accurate. It's a culmination of being around a bunch of people."
  
  
• "It was huge for our defense that Antonio Coleman is coming back. He has a national reputation."
  
  
• "I don't know Paul (Rhoads)."
  
  
• Timetable of hire: Chizik called Minnesota coach Tim Brewster for permission to speak. Flew into Atlanta on Sunday. Drove to Auburn on Monday. Finalized it then."
  
  
• Minnesota improvements: "We knew we had to do a good job with creating takeaways. We did that. I saw a lot of good things happening."
  
  
• Recruiting: "I'm detailed and thorough. It's built on relationships. In the end, the relationships get you over the hump. I love it -- and I love having a great product to sell like Auburn University."
  
  
• What do you remember about Auburn?: "I made this comment to Coach Dye, when you got done playing Auburn it felt like somebody had taken a rubber hose and just beat you with. Back when they ran the bone and kept pounding you. As a football player you always respect the physical teams, the teams that hit you in the mouth."
  
  (Roof played at Georgia Tech from 82-85.)
  
  
• He doesn't know the other Auburn coaches.
  
  
• Other defensive coaches: "Coach Chizik is the head coach and those will be his decisions."
  
  
• He'll start work on Thursday.
  
  
• "Coach Chizik is the head coach and he has the right to involve himself and be involved in every aspect of the program, which most head coaches do and I'm sure he will as well. I look at it as a real plus to have a guy with a defensive background that Gene has and all his expertise that he brings to his staff and to the table."
  
  

Awaiting word from Roof

Hey everyone. Quite a night for Tulsa on Wednesday ... waxing Ball State on a breezy night at Ladd-Peebles. Winter on the gulf, I tell ya.

So what do we have today?

UPDATE @ 2:40 p.m.: Gene Chizik stopped by for a minute or two before heading to his next engagement. He said he doesn't know Roof personally, but said he is "highly thought of" by coaching colleagues he trusts.

(Blogger.com won't allow picture uploads right now. No art for YOU.)

GMAC Bowl chatter

1/6/09, EVENING

Due to interest in Tulsa's GMAC Bowl appearance, we're creating this thread to discuss Gus Malzahn's final game before taking over Auburn's offense tomorrow.

Here are Tulsa's final numbers:

Tulsa def. Ball State, 45-13

RUSHING: 439
PASSING: 193
TOTAL OFFENSE: 632
TIME OF POSSESSION: 35:40
THIRD DOWNS: 9 of 18
TURNOVERS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

Roof hired as Auburn's DC

1/6/09, EARLY AFTERNOON
**Reconfigured at 4 p.m.

Hey everyone. More news breaking at this hour. Minnesota has confirmed that defensive coordinator Ted Roof has been hired by Auburn coach Gene Chizik.

``Our defense improved a great deal under Coach Roof this past season," Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. ``Good coaches are always going to be in demand and I wish Ted the best of luck in the future."

Roof was highly unsuccessful as a head coach at Duke from 2002-07 -- the Blue Devils won six games during that stretch -- and the Gophers' defense hasn't been that great. They finished in the bottom half of the Big Ten in rushing defense, passing defense, points allowed.

Still, their numbers were even worse in 2007.

TED ROOF CURRICULUM VITAE
Alabama, 1987-88 (grad. assistant)
West Georgia, 1989 (LBs)
Duke, 1990-1993 (LBs)
U. Mass, 1994-1996 (defensive coordinator)
Western Carolina, 1997 (defensive coordinator)
Georgia Tech, 1998-2001 (LBs/defensive coordinator)
Duke, 2002 (defensive coordinator)
Duke, 2003-2007 (HEAD COACH)
Minnesota, 2008 (defensive coordinator)

Playing career: Georgia Tech '86 (linebacker)

Jerraud Powers makes his decision

1/6/08, NOONISH

Hey everyone. Junior cornerback Jerraud Powers will seek early entry into the NFL Draft.

In 2008, Powers started in 10 games and finished with 47 total tackles. He also intercepted two passes and was ninth in the SEC in passes defended.

``I want to thank the Auburn nation for their support during my career,” Powers said. ``It was a very tough decision, but I did what God wanted me to do and what was best for my family and me. I’m thankful for my time at Auburn and will have nothing but fond memories."

CAN JERRAUD EVEN GET DRAFTED? Anything is possible. I don't see how he's going to emerge as a first-day guy. He's not remarkably fast for a cornerback. He's shorter than NFL average. On the plus side, he's quick and he has shown remarkable aptitude during his three years with the varsity.

WHY WOULD HE DO THIS? I don't know. I can't imagine this being an academic thing. This draft isn't teeming with top cornerback prospects. Switching defenses again at Auburn -- Powers was recruited by Gibbs, played for Muschamp and Rhoads -- may be a deal-breaker.

WHEN WILL WE HEAR MORE? This afternoon ... if things unfold as expected.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

To help avoid a cumbersome comment count

1/5/08, NIGHTTIME

Here is a new thread to create more space in which to comment. The other thread was getting crowded.

Since I have to have some content to begin a new thread -- and DennyCrum had none to offer -- here is the UPDATED Auburn Football Coach Tote Board:

• Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator (Tulsa)
  
• James Willis, linebackers (Auburn)
  
• Curtis Luper, running backs (Okla. State)
  
• Jay Boulware, special teams and tight ends (Iowa State)
  
• Trooper Taylor, wideouts and assistant head coach (Okla. State)

Jobs still open:

• Defensive coordinator (doubles as secondary coach?)
  
• Defensive line coach
  
• Offensive line coach
  
• Wild card (might DEs and DTs be separated?)

Taylor is a go

1/5/08, AFTERNOON

Hey everyone. I just received 100% firm confirmation that Trooper Taylor has been added to the Auburn staff.

Morning reports indicated that Taylor had taken the job, though speculation grew during the afternoon when Auburn didn't confirm the hire. The delay wasn't really a delay -- Taylor was discussing his plans with OSU brass.

Taylor's primary function will be to coach receivers. He also is an assistant head coach.

Rivals.com assessed Taylor as one of the nation's top 10 recruiters in both 2005 and 2007. He was at University of Tennessee during those years.

``This is a great opportunity to join Coach Chizik at Auburn and be a part of a dynamic offensive staff that he has put together,” Taylor said. ``I’m excited to be coaching at a program like Auburn and return to the Southeastern Conference."

TROOPER TAYLOR CURRICULUM VITAE
Oklahoma State, 2008 (co-coordinator of offense, WRs)
Tennessee, 2004-07 (WRs, RBs, dir. of player development) -- in separate stints
Tulane, 1999-2003 (WRs)
New Mexico, 1998 (RBs)
Baylor, 1992-97 (WRs, DBs, grad. assistant) -- in separate stints

Playing career: Baylor '92 (defensive back)

ALSO: Jay Boulware, hired yesterday, has added TEs as part of his coaching responsibilities.

Photo credit: Oklahoma State Athletic Department

Trooper Taylor a Tiger?

1/5/09, NOONISH

Hey everyone. It looks as though Trooper Taylor, the popular Oklahoma State assistant, has agreed to terms with Auburn coach Gene Chizik. I don't have an official confirmation just yet -- official sources haven't confirmed anything -- but here is a story from the (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman about the situation.

UPDATE: Auburn's jet that was stationed in Stillwater, Okla., has returned without Taylor ... or anyone of significance.

I'll have more as this develops during the next few hours.

Lebo to attend MAC function (Wednesday)

From our friends at the Montgomery Auburn Club ...

Your Monday Update

1/5/09, MORNING

Hey everyone. I'm going to add little datelines above each entry as you see above. It helps our more casual readers see what's new and what isn't. The dates at the end of each post don't provide a date, which is odd.

To Auburn issues ...

The Tigers currently have four of their nine assistant slots filled:

• Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator (Tulsa)
  
• James Willis, linebackers (Auburn)
  
• Curtis Luper, running backs (Okla. State)
  
• Jay Boulware, special teams (Iowa State)

Jobs still open:

• Defensive coordinator (and secondary coach)
  
• Defensive line coach
  
• Offensive line coach
  
• Receivers coach
  
• Wild card (might DEs and DTs be separated?, might TEs get their own coach?)

SO WHO IS NEXT?: One of Auburn's jets is sitting in Stillwater, Okla., at this hour. Gene Chizik interviewed OSU assistant Trooper Taylor yesterday. Taylor met with Malzahn as well. It's unclear what's happening right now. The fact that Auburn's plane is there mean (to me) that Auburn believes Taylor could sign at any minute.

Another football coach hired

Hey everyone. Jay Boulware, who coached with Gene Chizik at Iowa State, has been hired as the Tigers' special teams coordinator.

He handled the Cyclones' tailbacks and special teams. He'll concentrate on kicking at Auburn.

JAY BOULWARE CURRICULUM VITAE
Iowa State, 2006-07 (RBs, special teams)
Utah, 2005-06 (TEs, co-cordinator for special teams)
Stanford, 2004 (RBs)
Arizona, 2001-03 (TEs, RBs, special teams) -- in separate stints
Northern Illinois, 1997-2000 (OL, TEs) -- in separate stints
Texas, 1994-96 (student/off. grad assistant)

Playing career: Texas '96 (two-year letterman at OL)

Trooper Taylor interviewing in Auburn

Hey everyone. A few fellow beat hacks* made the trek to Robert G. Pitts Airport today in Opelika. There, they found new assistant coach Curtis Luper flying in from Oklahoma State. He wasn't alone.

Another OSU assistant, Trooper Taylor, was on board.

Taylor is the Cowboys' co-coordinator of offense. He also works with wideouts. Prior to arriving at Oklahoma State before the 2008 season, Taylor spent four years at Tennessee.

*Hacks on the scene: Evan Woodbery, Andrew Gribble.

Tulane @ Auburn (men)

We're live blogging the Tulane at Auburn men's game ... live from aging Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.

FINAL
Auburn wins, 78-53.

1:45 remaining
Jake Drum is in.

FOURTH TO (of the second half) @ 3:40
Auburn leads, 71-52. The Tigers must be shooting 60% or better this half. They look like a very good basketball team right now.

THIRD TO (of the second half) @ 6:14
Auburn leads, 65-51. Reed has been outstanding this half. He has scored 15 points. The Tigers are better than Tulane today -- that's the basic jist of what I'm seeing. Auburn gets more rebounds, makes better passes inside and is playing better defense.

SECOND TO (of the second half) @ 11:41
Auburn leads, 54-43. It was getting close there for a bit. Tulane had it down to five points. A pair of baskets from Speed Reed (a three and a layup) helped Auburn regain its composure.

FIRST TO (of the second half) @ 15:35
Auburn leads, 48-41. Tulane is playing better overall because McQueen, an Auburn High grad, is showing a lot of guile around the basket. He has scored seven points so far this half.

HALFTIME STATS
Shooting: AU -- 11-29 (37.9%); TU -- 10-28 (35.7%)
3 Shooting: AU -- 3-10 (30%); TU -- 2-12 (16.7%)
Rebounding: AU -- 24 (9o, 15d); TU -- 20 (7o, 13d)


HALFTIME
Auburn leads, 40-27. The Tigers play very well during the final 15 minutes of the period. Stats upcoming.

FOURTH MEDIA TO @ 3:41
Auburn leads, 30-24. Big change in Auburn's favor. Not shooting all that well, but they're rebounding aggressively on the offensive end. That's leading to second-chance shots and free throws. Tulane still is having problems with the Tigers' defense.

THIRD MEDIA TO @ 7:38
Tulane leads, 22-20. Game was tied at 17 and 20. It's even. Auburn has missed four of its last six free throws.

SECOND MEDIA TO @ 11:09
Tulane leads, 17-12. Auburn has calmed. They actually cut the lead to one point, then let it get away again. Not sensing much offensive rhythm. The Tigers are being very aggressive with their man-to-man right now. Tulane is having a lot of trouble passing the ball.

FIRST MEDIA TO @ 15:39
Tulane leads, 12-4. DeWayne Reed was subbed out pretty quickly for Frankie Sullivan. He has scored three points already.

AUBURN CALLS TO @ 17:49
Tulane leads, 10-0. Not going well for the home team. They're sloppy and Tulane isn't.

TRIVIA NOTE: Mark Murphy of ITAT, my seatmate today, reports that he once saw the Rolling Stones play a double show here in the mid-1960s. Chuck Berry was the opening act. BEMC used to be a really nice arena.

YOUR AUBURN STARTERS
F/C -- Korvotney Barber, native Georgian
F -- Lucas Hargrove, he of South Carolina pedigree
PG -- DeWayne Reed, known to some as "Speed"
G/F -- Tay Waller, Georgian by birth
SG -- Tez Robertson of Cincinnati

Antonio Coleman makes his decision

Defensive end Antonio Coleman, who considered a jump to the NFL, has told a press-conference crowd at Williamson High that he will stay at Auburn for the 2009 season.

Coleman, who plays on the weak side, was a first-team All-SEC selection for his work last year. He finished the year with 46 tackles including 10 for loss. Coleman was credited with six sacks.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

OK, now for something a little different

Hey everyone. Nearly 700 posts on the Sugar Bowl is pretty big time.

We'll actually have some AUBURN items to discuss today. Isn't that swell.

Auburn women, who are undefeated, play Stephen F. Austin beginning at 2 p.m.

The men's team will play the Green Wave of Tulane beginning at 5 p.m.

I will be attending both contests. Will I live blog the women's game? Not sure yet. Is there interest? Nobody is being accused of sexism here or anything ... just saying that I don't hear much about the women's team from you all. And that's fine.

ALSO OF NOTE: Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy, who is 41, said Friday that Auburn has requested permission to speak with OSU assistant Trooper Taylor. The Tigers hired one of Gundy's assistants, Curtis Luper, on Friday. Taylor is a co-coordinator for OSU's offense and a former Tennessee assistant.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

Sugar Bowl discussion

We're here watching Alabama struggle play against Utah in the Sugar Bowl.

Come read and enjoy.

Auburn adds a third assistant coach

Oklahoma State assistant coach Curtis Luper has accepted an offer to join the Auburn staff.

Luper has spent the past four seasons coaching tailbacks. He will fill the same role at Auburn.

Luper and head coach Gene Chizik won't need an introduction. They worked together during the mid-1990s at Stephen F. Austin, where Chizik served as a position assistant while Luper broke into coaching as a graduate assistant.

``The opportunity to reconnect with my mentor in Coach Chizik and have the chance coach at a program known as `Running Back U.', was something that I could not pass up," Luper said. ``My coaching philosophy and foundation was established with Coach Chizik 13 years ago at Stephen F. Austin, where we took our initial jobs and arm-in-arm helped the program to the national semifinals."

Auburn now has three assistant coaches on staff: Luper, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and linebackers coach James Willis.

``Curtis Luper is a tremendous coach, who I’ve had the pleasure of watching blossom from a player to the successful individual that he is today,” Chizik said. “I had a great amount of respect for him as a player and while mentoring him in the beginning of his coaching career. Curtis has done an outstanding job coaching running backs and I am excited to coach with him again."

CURTIS LUPER CURRICULUM VITAE
Oklahoma State, 2005-present (RBs/Asst. Head Coach)
New Mexico, 2002-2004 (RBs)
Texas A&M-Commerce, 1999-2001 (DBs/Asst. Head Coach)
McKinney (TX) HS, 1998 (RBs)
Stephen F. Austin, 1997 (RBs)
Stephen F. Austin, 1995-96 (Graduate assistant/DBs)

Photo credit: Rivals.com

Happy New Year from the HABOTN

Hey everyone. Welcome to 2009!

I plan to share our silly-crazy December numbers with you all in a bit. We broke every record available in terms of traffic. I never thought we would gauge pageviews by the 100,000s, but that's where we are.

Lots of football on the tube today. What are you watching?