AUBURN, Ala. – When Zac Etheridge connects with recruits, he doesn't give a sales pitch. He tells his Auburn story.
"It's not really selling," said Etheridge, Auburn's cornerbacks coach. "I've been able to experience it. I've lived it. I've walked through these halls and been in their shoes before.
"Me sharing that experience, it's personal. Being able to tell those guys this is a place you want to be. This place is special. It's been special to me since the day I walked in here as an 18-year-old kid, and it's still special. That's one of the reasons I'm here today is because of how special this place is."
A captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, Etheridge was a four-year starter on the Plains from 2007-10 before embarking on his coaching career.
"I've been all over the country. There's no place like Auburn," he said. "Hearing Coach Harsin's plan and vision for the program, it felt like he knew exactly what the Auburn Creed stood for.
"The opportunity to come back home has been really fulfilling. I have an opportunity to serve guys, to give them knowledge and awareness of what this place is about and what it means to be an Auburn man."
As the Tigers prepare for Saturday's second spring scrimmage ahead of next Saturday's A-Day game, here are some of the highlights from Wednesday's media session with Auburn's defensive coaches.
Zac Etheridge, cornerbacks coach
On recruiting ….
"You've got to thoroughly evaluate guys in all aspects of life and football. We want guys who truly love the game of football. Is he doing the things it takes to be an Auburn man before we decide to say this is a guy we want. I'm looking for those underdogs at times. Those are guys who truly bring that blue-collar mentality."
On the program's potential…
"I know this place can win championships. I know this place can have great players. We just to find that identity and that culture to put in the work."Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason
Nick Eason, defensive line coach
On the importance of the D-line…
"All great defenses always have great defensive lines. We have a lot of good players in the room from top to bottom. Teams that win national championships and SEC championships, they have great defensive lines.
"I'm honored and excited for the opportunity to lead these guys to be able to be dominant. That's our goal: to dominate the line of scrimmage and be the best. That's the standard, being tough, being relentless, being disciplined, being committed and being dependable. That's our identity."
On his coaching style….
"I am demanding. I'm not demeaning. I'm more of a motivational guy. I'm also a teacher. Coach Harsin is a great leader. His message is very clear. He knows how to bring a team together. He knows how to win, he's done that before. He's made me become a better coach, being organized and detailed in everything I do, being relentless. I've learned so much from him over the past two months."Inside linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding
Jeff Schmedding, inside linebackers, defensive run game coordinator
On what he's seen from Owen Pappoe…
"I'm blessed to be able to coach a guy like Owen. He is as impressive off the field as he is on the field. He is very gifted. Obviously, he is a kid that can run, he's very strong, all those things. But really the work he puts into it, he's always the guy trying to get extra film. He's always the guy asking the right questions and trying to help the younger guys. That's really when you start to build that team, when guys start passing it down. He has bought into it 100 percent. He's got the God-given talent and the love for the game. He is an absolute joy to coach, and the fact is he truly loves football and he takes care of business of the field as well."
On the decision to follow Coach Harsin to Auburn…
"I've been at a couple places, and ultimately, the ability to compete in the SEC at the highest level surely plays into it. You've got to work for somebody you believe what their vision is. Being able to be the defensive coordinator at Boise State and seeing the vision, how he carries himself, what he wants in his program, how that gets implemented and then the family atmosphere he brings, for me it was a no-brainer in that sense. You're going to the most competitive league in college football, and you're working for somebody you believe in. That's a slam dunk."
Outside linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Bert Watts
Bert Watts, special teams coordinator, outside linebackers coach
On having a high energy level…
"Your players are going to be a reflection of you. The energy you bring, day in and day out, if that's what you want from your players, if you want your players to bring it every day, be fired up and be excited, and be happy to be there. See practices as not just another practice, but an opportunity to grow and get better every single day. You have to show that as well, you can't just say it, you have to bring your actions behind your words. I've always taken that to heart. And honestly, it has always made it more fun for me. The more energy I can bring, it just makes the whole process more exciting, more enjoyable."
On special teams…
"We want our best guys on special teams. Everyone has a role on [special] teams. That's our expectation. We want the very best players on offense and defense, those guys champing at the bit, to say, 'Coach put me in on this, put me in on that,' so we can have a chance to compete. That's really what special teams comes down to. We want our guys to be excited about any one on one they can get, and teams gives you a lot of those opportunities."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
