One day after making the first addition to his first coaching staff at Auburn, Gus Malzahn has officially added another one.
In a press release, the Tigers confirmed that Malzahn has hired Rhett Lashlee as his offensive coordinator.
“Rhett is one of the best young offensive minds in college football,” said Malzahn. “I’ve been with Rhett a long time and he’s been an incredibly valuable right-hand man. He has a great knowledge and understanding of Auburn and will be a tremendous asset for this program both on and off the field.”
Lashlee has spent six of the past nine seasons coaching with and playing for Malzahn, including last year at Arkansas State as the coordinator of the Red Wolves’ offense. He played quarterback for Malzahn at Shiloh Christian High School from 1999-2001.
The move is also a homecoming for Lashlee, who spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as a grad assistant at Auburn while Malzahn was coordinator. He began his coaching career as a grad assistant at Arkansas, where he had been a quarterback whose career ended prematurely due to injury.
“We’re very excited to be back in Auburn to rejoin this program and the Auburn family, which has the best fans in the country” Lashlee said. “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Malzahn and help get this team headed in the right direction and return to winning football. Auburn holds a special place in my family’s heart, as this is where our twin boys were born, so we are blessed to be back. I’m excited to get to work.”
Lashlee’s hiring comes one day after Ellis Johnson was named as Auburn’s defensive coordinator.