Zac Etheridge for DB Coach

[Tony4AU 386]

UPDATED: CONFIRMED

AUBURN, Ala. – Zac Etheridge, a team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, has been named the Tigers' cornerbacks coach, head coach Bryan Harsin announced Friday. Etheridge spent the previous two seasons in the same capacity at the University of Houston.
 
At Houston, Etheridge mentored cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams, who thrived under his direction. Jones was named an All-American in 2020 at cornerback by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was an All-American selection as a punt return specialist by the FWAA, CBS/247 Sports and the Phil Steele Magazine. Jones also was graded as one of the top-5 corners in 2020 by PFF. Under two seasons of Etheridge's tutelage, Williams blossomed into an all-conference player in 2020, starting 19 consecutive games for the Cougars.
 
"Zac Etheridge is a rising star in this profession and is a great addition to Coach Mason's defense working with cornerbacks," Harsin said. "He has done a fantastic job in a short period of time developing and recruiting talented players. As a former Auburn standout, Zac understands the rigors of competing at the highest level, and what is required to be an Auburn man."
 
Etheridge played a key role in Houston's improvement on defense in 2020, as the Cougars finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference in total defense (398.5 yards per game). Houston's defense also saw improvements from 2019 to 2020 in passing yards allowed, third down conversion defense percentage and tackles for loss. 
 
This past December he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession and is part of the AFCA Convention.
 
"It is an honor to return to my alma mater as a member of Coach Harsin's staff," Etheridge said. "I firmly believe in his vision and I am excited to get to work.  Under his leadership, I have no doubt that our staff will develop our young men both on and off the field.  We will absolutely embody the championship mindset that Auburn deserves. Auburn and its people mean a great deal to me, and I am very thankful for this opportunity.  War Eagle!"

https://auburntigers.com/news/2021/1/8/football-zac-etheridge-named-cornerbacks-coach-at-auburn.aspx

 

[AUnCullman 601]

WHAAAAAAA?!?!?!?!?!

[wareagleguy 1,393]

[gravejd 3,267]

Interesting. 4 years as a CB coach with last year being at Houston. He's had a quick rise in the coaching ranks. And i'm a sucker for hiring old players that i loved when they played here. He was for sure one of my favorites from that 2010 team. Count me in!

[caleb1633 1,418]

544th ranked recruiter in the country with only 8 all-time commits to his name (all 3*). Let's get him!!!

[gravejd 3,267]

1 minute ago, caleb1633 said:

544th ranked recruiter in the country with only 3 all-time commits to his name (all 3*). Let's get him!!!

What kind of recruits do you expect him to hire with 2 years at Western Carolina, 1 year at Louisiana, and 1 year at Houston lol

I'll give you he is green though and we have no idea how his recruiting will be. From a purely recruiting standpoint we've always done well when giving young former players a chance. Twill was lights out and we had no trouble signing highly rated guys with Kodi as WR coach. 

Just a name on AL.com right now though so probably not worth getting to worked up over one way or the other. 

[caleb1633 1,418]

1 minute ago, gravejd said:

What kind of recruits do you expect him to hire with 2 years at Western Carolina, 1 year at Louisiana, and 1 year at Houston lol

I'll give you he is green though and we have no idea how his recruiting will be. From a purely recruiting standpoint we've always done well when giving young former players a chance. Twill was lights out and we had no trouble signing highly rated guys with Kodi as WR coach. 

Just a name on AL.com right now though so probably not worth getting to worked up over one way or the other. 

Hey, I'm not even going to state a hypothesis on how good or bad I think he could be. That's just the only information I have available on him.

[AUBwins 10,064]

Well with Mason being a DB coach by trade, perfect opportunity to bring in a young coach.  Seems to be trying to get an alumnus for at least 1 of the final positions.  TRob likely not coming back so a chance for ZE. Safest position for Harsin/Mason to put an up and coming coach in and fill the former AU player card. JMO of course. 

[AUGoo 2,659]

What's the "need' for a former player?

[wcware 1,365]

One of my all time favorite players. Came back from a broken neck. I have no idea If he can coach

[AUinfusion 390]

Hard to see that as a step anywhere but down from McGiff, IMHO. I love that he's an AU man, but he's very much an unknown as a coach and recruiter, whereas McGriff was pretty well known and thought of.

[JTFazz 386]

For young coaches employed by Group of Five or FCS schools, I don't put a lot of stock in their recruiter ranking. If I was a mediocre candy salesman because I only had circus peanuts and candy corn in my inventory, who knows what I could do with Cadbury Eggs, Nestle Crunch and Peanut M&Ms... or maybe a Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper. But whether or not to take a chance on it... well, that's for the experts.

[aubearcat 2,132]

[fredst 9,064]

Hate to repeat the ol’ trust the coaches mantra but......trust the coaches. I doubt Mason would bring in a coach just for AU nostalgia but I could be wrong

[bssford460 10]

1 hour ago, AUGoo said:

What's the "need' for a former player?

A sense of giving back to the former player..  and allows them to give back to the university/fans.   win/win situation if it works out.

[Old fan 47 765]

29 minutes ago, fredst said:

Hate to repeat the ol’ trust the coaches mantra but......trust the coaches. I doubt Mason would bring in a coach just for AU nostalgia but I could be wrong

True. I don’t dislike the potential hire, but I don’t really care if they played at AU or not. That’s a tired old cliche. How many former players has Saban hired? I will take a wait and see approach and be thankful our new DC is very experienced. 

[caleb1633 1,418]

52 minutes ago, JTFazz said:

For young coaches employed by Group of Five or FCS schools, I don't put a lot of stock in their recruiter ranking. If I was a mediocre candy salesman because I only had circus peanuts and candy corn in my inventory, who knows what I could do with Cadbury Eggs, Nestle Crunch and Peanut M&Ms... or maybe a Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper. But whether or not to take a chance on it... well, that's for the experts.

Twas a joke...

[api1957 1,783]

[Lawsam 41]

I am all for it.  He, in my opinion, is exactly the type of guy we should take a chance on.  Smart guy, knows the game, knows what it means to be an Auburn Tiger, loves our school and I think all of that will help convince recruits that this school can offer them great opportunities.

[JTFazz 386]

11 minutes ago, caleb1633 said:

Twas a joke...

Yeah, I took it as sarcasm, but it triggered something I have been thinking about generally in many members' opinions on this coach or that coach.  

[TexasTiger 12,801]

1 hour ago, JTFazz said:

For young coaches employed by Group of Five or FCS schools, I don't put a lot of stock in their recruiter ranking. If I was a mediocre candy salesman because I only had circus peanuts and candy corn in my inventory, who knows what I could do with Cadbury Eggs, Nestle Crunch and Peanut M&Ms... or maybe a Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper. But whether or not to take a chance on it... well, that's for the experts.

Don’t diss candy corn. 😉

[Tigerpro2a 5,650]

Please no. This is the first one I have been completely against so far. 

[ScotsAU 1,311]

2 minutes ago, Tigerpro2a said:

Please no. This is the first one I have been completely against so far. 

Why?

[Tigerpro2a 5,650]

21 minutes ago, ScotsAU said:

Why?

I feel like it falls right in line with the type of hires Gus made. Auburn Yes Men. Of course this is purely speculation. I am just tired of us making what seem to be lazy hires. I think CBH has done well so far on the staff. This doesn't feel good to me. He may be a great coach and a great recruiter and if hired I hope I eat crow. 

[TXaubie 566]

1 hour ago, AUinfusion said:

Hard to see that as a step anywhere but down from McGiff, IMHO. I love that he's an AU man, but he's very much an unknown as a coach and recruiter, whereas McGriff was pretty well known and thought of.

Was really hoping he would have kept McGriff. Loved watching his group progress every game!!  They were asked to do a ton, and they paid for it some times.  For the most part they were the one position group that always developed. 
 

I had not idea ZE was even coaching. So glad for him!!!