Auburn’s Gene Chizik says new staff responsibilities ‘best suits our program’ | al.com

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Feb 212012
 

AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn confirmed Tuesday night that new assistant Willie Martinez will coach the secondary and Tommy Thigpen will slide over and coach linebackers in a new coaching configuration for the 2012 season.

Thigpen was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker at North Carolina and coached linebackers six seasons, including four years with the Tar Heels.

“After carefully evaluating our staff, I feel this restructuring best suits our program,” said coach Gene Chizik in a statement.

Martinez was hired last week. He is working for new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder at a fourth different university.

VanGorder said last week he’ll oversee the entire defense at practice rather coach a position. Thigpen and Phillip Lolley coached the defensive backs last season. Martinez will do it alone in 2012. Lolley has moved into an administrative job.

Martinez has coached the secondary his entire collegiate coaching career.

via Auburn’s Gene Chizik says new staff responsibilities ‘best suits our program’ | al.com.

 Posted by at 7:23 pm

Nell Fortner resigning as basketball coach, but says she’ll remain ‘a big Auburn fan’ (video) | al.com

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Feb 212012
 

AUBURN, Alabama — Nell Fortner began making her farewells to Auburn on Tuesday following the announcement she is resigning as the women’s basketball coach.

But she said her heart will always be with the Tigers.

“I plan on being here, and being a big Auburn fan,” Fortner said in a news conference.

“First and foremost, this is my decision, period… I look forward to the next phase of my life.”

Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said a search for Fortner’s replacement will begin immediately.

Fortner announced her resignation after eight seasons. She’ll coach Auburn’s final two regular-season games this week, and then in the SEC Tournament.

That’s part of this video.

“I haven’t lost my fire. We’ve dug our heels in this season and to get the most from these players, and will do the very end,” she said.

Her immediate plans?

“I’m going to Florida and jump on my paddleboard and swim with the dolphins,” she said.

via Nell Fortner resigning as basketball coach, but says she’ll remain ‘a big Auburn fan’ (video) | al.com.

 Posted by at 7:22 pm
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