SEC programs, law enforcement have long history

The Bobby Petrino saga has drawn attention to an often overlooked aspect of big-time college football: The relationship between coaches and the police who handle security for them.

Around the Southeastern Conference, providing sideline security for SEC programs is considered coveted duty. Some officers travel to away games, a cost paid for mostly by the schools. It can range from volunteer duty to part of the officer’s regular schedule.

Arkansas State Police Capt. Lance King, who provided security for Petrino at Razorback games, got the call from the coach when he wrecked his motorcycle.

What happened to Gene Chizik’s first two recruiting classes at Auburn?

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Tommy Tuberville did Gene Chizik no favors by leaving behind bare final recruiting classes. Twelve of Auburn’s 28 signees in 2008 never even played a down for the Tigers, and only five of the 28 will likely exhaust their eligibility.

Tuberville’s last group truly was, as the Opelika-Auburn News recently dubbed it, “The Class That Time Forgot.”

So what’s that make Chizik’s first two classes? Because time is quickly forgetting many of those players, too.

Remarkably, 43 percent of Auburn’s 2009 and 2010 signees are no longer on the team, or never joined the program in the first place. That’s a brutal percentage, especially as Auburn sits with the SEC’s fewest 2012 commitments and two new coordinators who inevitably will weed out some veterans.

Read more from AL.com

1.30.12

Auburn hires Loeffler as offensive coordinator

AUBURN, Ala. (AP)—Auburn has hired former Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to try to revive an offense that sputtered after winning a national championship.

The Tigers announced Sunday that Loeffler will replace Gus Malzahn, who left to become head coach atArkansas State.

The former Michigan quarterback has worked with six future NFL passers during his college career, including Tom Brady and Tim Tebow. Loeffler spent the 2008 season in the NFL as Detroit’s quarterbacks coach.

“Scot is a rising star who has worked with some very good quarterbacks, and has achieved a tremendous amount of success,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “He is a tireless worker, is an outstanding recruiter and knows the rigors of competing in this conference. We’re very excited to have Scot join our staff and we welcome him to the Auburn family.”

Read more from Rivals.com

1.23.12

When will Gene Chizik hire a new coordinator? History says it could take some time at Auburn

AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn coach Gene Chizik didn’t have to look far to find a replacement for defensive coordinator Ted Roof.