AUBURN, Ala. – Kendall Simmons, a two-time First Team All-SEC offensive lineman at Auburn and two-time Super Bowl champion, is returning to his alma mater in an off-field role.
"I'm extremely excited," said Simmons, a 2002 first-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers. "I'll look forward to the opportunity to be around the team, learning as well as adding my knowledge from my playing career."
Simmons, who started 36 games for Auburn from 1997-2001, played seven seasons for the Steelers from 2002-09, winnings Super Bowls XL and XLIII in the 2005 and 2008 seasons. He retired after playing the 2009 season for Buffalo and New England.
Auburn's offensive line returns all five starters from 2018, with head coach Gus Malzahn resuming play-calling duties in 2019.
"Coach Malzahn has always been good to me over the years," Simmons said. "I really appreciate the opportunity he's given me to come in and be a part of the staff. I'm going to do the best I can. I'm going to work hard and try to learn as much as I can from Coach Malzahn, Coach Grimes and whoever else I have an opportunity to come in contact with, so I'm excited about it."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer