Aug. 28, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Talking season is over. Well, almost.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn spoke to the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham on Monday, five days before the Tigers open the 2017 season at home against Georgia Southern.
"[Around] this time, you're about talked out as a coach. You're ready to start the season," Malzahn said prior to the event. "But this is always a special thing for me to do, to come here to Birmingham. There are a lot of familiar faces. They love football here, and it's something that I always look forward to. I'm glad to be here right before the season starts."
Malzahn meets with the club once a year, typically during the season when Auburn has an open week. However, this year it was scheduled the week of the first game, and among the talking points were some of the new additions to the coaching staff, including first-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
Lindsey, who occupied the same role at Arizona State last season, will be calling the plays for Auburn's offense beginning Saturday. In fact, it will be the first time that Malzahn will not call the plays in the season opener as a college head coach.
"It's been a process probably the last two years that has been coming," Malzahn said. "Of course last year, I turned it over to Rhett Lashlee and he did an outstanding job with that. Now Chip's been a guy that I'm familiar with. And I'm ready. I'm looking forward to it. I'm in a good spot mentally entering the season."
Football wasn't the only thing on Malzahn's mind Monday, though. The Auburn head coach also addressed Hurricane Harvey and offered his prayers to those in Texas who have been affected.
A handful of players on the team are from the Lone Star State, including new quarterback Jarrett Stidham (Stephenville) and sophomore running back Kam Martin (Port Arthur), and the majority of Kristi Malzahn's family lives just north of Houston.
"There's some concern," Malzahn said. "That's where Kristi's family is all from. She's been in constant contact with him. Our prayers go out to not only them, but everybody in that area. Kam Martin is from that area. Obviously Jarrett Stidham is around that area. To all the families there, our prayers and thoughts go out to them."
Greg Ostendorf is a Staff Writer for AuburnTigers.com.