AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding had already been coaching for nearly two decades when he first read the Auburn Creed, but its message has defined his career since day one.
"What's in the Auburn Creed is the true recipe. The work, hard work piece is the only reason I'm in this spot," Schmedding said. "Learning from all the people I've worked with, you're trying to make sure you're always finding that competitive edge.
"We want our players to feel like they have a competitive advantage when they're coached. That's what we're trying to instill in our staff right now."
After coaching at his alma mater, Eastern Washington, for 15 seasons, including the 2010 Football Championship Subdivision national title, Schmedding joined Bryan Harsin's staff at Boise State in 2019 to coach linebackers and coordinate the defense.
He came to the Plains with Harsin in 2021, coaching inside linebackers and earning two promotions: first to assistant head coach soon after his arrival, then to defensive coordinator for the 2022 season.
"I do not take this opportunity lightly," Schmedding said. "I'm fired up and this staff is fired up every single day to move further faster. You're humbled, honored and excited all at the same time. I've been in that role, but not at a place like Auburn. I'm excited to build off what we started last year."
Based out of a 3-4 alignment, Auburn's defense under Schmedding seeks the versatility to neutralize the complex offenses the Tigers will face, while being user-friendly so it's easy for players to learn.
"We're trying to make sure we go through every little detail right now so that when it gets to the players, we master those fundamentals and techniques so we can maximize their talent," Schmedding said. "We talk about discipline, toughness and conviction in our program. Coaches and players are more together and going the same direction. The teams that I've been a part of that have won championships and have been successful, they were aligned from the top down, and they had leadership within the team.
"Your players make the defense. The fundamentals and techniques make the scheme come alive. We're going to ask guys to do what they do best.
"If you can't have a defense that is able to adjust and morph itself into different looks while keeping it simple for your players, you're not going to be able to compete."Defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding (left) with tight ends coach Brad Bedell
As spring practice begins, Schmedding expects to see a continuation of the competitive environment Auburn has instilled in every facet of preseason preparation.
"Competition is going to be the central theme going into spring ball," he said. "Every single position trying to create competition. We believe it brings the best out of people and you get the most of out yourself when you're competing.
"We're also teaching as we go. My mind works on what's the next thing we have to accomplish. Getting better is non-negotiable. That goes for players and coaches. We've got to seek out knowledge so our guys can play as fast and physical as possible."
Heading into his second season in the Southeastern Conference, his first as Auburn's defensive coordinator, Jeff Schmedding embraces the expectations and challenges that come with competing in college football's most competitive league and division.
"It was what I thought, and I thought of it in high regard," he said. "You have the best of the best. You have the best players, you have well-coached teams, and it's a heck of a party on Saturday.
"When you haven't been in this league, it's hard to describe until you're in it. Not only the football aspect, but the support and the fans are a part of it. 'It Just Means More' is a pretty good slogan.
"I was impressed week to week with the football. Schematics are schematics, and I love it as much as everybody else, but the players you're competing against on a week-to-week basis really make the league stand out from others."
Auburn's football program will add additional momentum this year when it relocates to the Auburn University Football Performance Center.
"The Auburn family loves Auburn," Schmedding said. "Everybody says that, not everybody does that. This stadium is second to none when it's rocking, and now we have a football facility to match it.
"The amount of support this community brings to our team, our players and our coaches really hit me on a road game going into Penn State.
"When we pulled in, the amount of fans almost rocking the bus, that's what you want. You want to play against the best and this conference is the best, and Auburn needs to be at the top of it."'The work, hard work piece is the only reason I'm in this spot'
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
