Report: Gus Malzahn cleans house, fires entire coaching staff
According to a report on AuburnUndercover.com, new coach Gus Malzahn informed all of Gene Chizik's former assistants on Wednesday that they will not be retained.
The list of coaches fired include Trooper Taylor (wide receivers), Curtis Luper (running backs), Brian VanGorder (defensive coordinator), Scott Loeffler (offensive coordinator), Tommy Thigpen (linebackers), Jeff Grimes (offensive line), Willie Martinez (defensive backs), Jay Boulware (special teams) and Mike Pelton (defensive line).
Four of the coaches -- Taylor, Luper, Boulware and Thigpen -- continued on the recruiting trail for the Tigers, even after Gene Chizik was fired.
All but VanGorder and Loeffler, who were hired before the start of the 2012 season, have been at Auburn since Chizik was hired in 2009.
While they have been fired from their current positions, the report said Malzahn will allow them to request interviews with the new coordinators once they are selected.
Strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall's job status is unknown at this time.
Eight days after being fired as the Southern Miss head coach, Ellis Johnson reportedly interviewed with Malzahn Wednesday for the defensive coordinator position. Johnson, who has previously led defenses for Alabama, Mississippi State, Clemson and South Carolina, went 0-12 in his first and only season coaching the Golden Eagles.
Former Auburn standout and current Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Tracy Rocker is also rumored to be a possible candidate for Malzahn's coaching staff. Rocker spent two seasons at Auburn on Chizik's staff in 2009 and 2010.
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