Coleman, Trott say new coaches are bringing swagger back to Auburn
By Staff
Scot Beard
HOOVER – When Auburn seniors Tommy Trott and Antonio Coleman began their first full season with the Tigers in 2006, things were going well.
Auburn finished the season with an 11-2 record and a top-10 ranking.
Boy what a difference a few years make.
At the end of their junior seasons, Trott and Coleman were members of a Tiger team that finished 5-7 and unranked.
What was the difference?
"The most important thing we lost is swagger," Coleman said. "And I think we have it back."
Trott said there is only one way to get it back – by playing hard.
"The easy way (to get the swagger back) is by being physical. That is something that maybe has been lost over the last five years," Trott said. "That is something Coach (Gene) Chizik has been preaching. There was a lot more contact in drills in the spring than since I've been here.
"Antonio's right, we're going to try and get that swag back."
Helping Auburn regain it is a new coaching staff headed up by former defensive coordinator Chizik, who helped the Tigers to an undefeated season one year before Trott and Coleman arrived on the Plains.
Assisting Chizik is new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Auburn experienced several problems on the offensive side of the ball last season and even had a mid-season change at the coordinator position.
Trott, a tight end, said the early reviews of Malzahn's offense by members of the team were good.
"The first impression has been great. He is a football nut, football 24/7," Trott said. "He has brought a successful offense here, and hopefully things will work well."
Coleman, a defensive end, likes the changes he has seen in the defensive coaching staff as well. Auburn has had several defensive coordinators during the past, but Coleman sees that as a benefit with the new scheme new defensive coordinator Ted Roof is implementing.
"We're not really changing defenses. I've had three or four defensive coordinators since I've been at Auburn and all were different in what they ran," Coleman said. "Put all those together and you pretty much know every defense Coach Roof is bringing in, so it's not that hard."
Coleman has also developed a strong relationship with defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, a former Outland and Lombardi Trophy winner at Auburn. Coleman said Rocker is like a father to him, which he finds surprising considering how short of a time the two have known each other.
Chizik said he feels his team is aiming for the Western Division title and thinks it is a possibility to reach such lofty expectations given last year's struggles.
"I think in this league anything can happen," Chizik said. "So it's not like SEC West championships are a stranger to Auburn. We'll work hard in that direction."
Coleman is eager to get on the field and prove last year was a fluke.
"It was a long season last year, but it was last year," Coleman said. "It's another year and we are looking forward to having a great year this year."
