July 11, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
HOOVER, Ala. - Offensive-minded Gus Malzahn says he likes the look of the guys who work to stop him every day at practice.
Auburn's head coach gave a positive nod to his defense at SEC Media Days on Monday, saying it "played well in the second half of the season" last year. And, importantly, "there's a lot of carryover."
"I think we got a chance to have one of the best, if not the best, defenses we've had at my time at Auburn, which I think is very important."
Auburn's defense finished on a high note last season, beating Memphis 31-10 in the Birmingham Bowl. Malzahn brought one of his offensive players in receiver Marcus Davis to Media Days, but carried the defensive theme forward by bringing two defensive players in Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams.
Malzahn rewarded talent and loyalty Monday.
"Both of these guys had chances to leave early. They've decided to come back, which I think is very important to get their degree and be team leaders," he said.
Malzahn said the defense has successfully made the transition from defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to Kevin Steele.
"When Coach Muschamp went to take another head coaching job, I really wanted somebody that was familiar with our conference," Malzahn said. "I wanted somebody that was a true professional, somebody that had the same philosophy that I have, and it really - all of the boxes fit" with Steele.
"We're blessed to have a guy like him. Our defenses responded extremely well. They were having fun. You can just sense it when you go on the defensive staff room. They are all on the same page. It's a great feeling. And he's really looking forward to working with our defensive players and the rest of our defensive staff is, too."
Malzahn added another like-minded philosopher in offensive line coach Herb Hand, a good friend who is adding some of his flavor to Malzahn's offense, just as he did when the two worked together at Tulsa.
"One thing we have focused on in the spring and will in fall camp, getting back to playing with pace," Malzahn said. "That's the edge of ours in the past, and that's got to be the same this coming year.
"We always pride ourselves in executing at a high level. Last year we didn't get that done. Those were the two focuses to get this thing turned around so we can play quality offense like we expect."
Because last year, he said, "we didn't execute at, what I say, a high level consistently. And that goes back on me. I do feel good about where we're hat at. I do feel good about some of the valuations and some of the changes we made going into this year."
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine