AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn Football announced Saturday that defensive coordinator Derek Mason will be stepping down along with four other defensive staff changes.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Mason for his leadership as our defensive coordinator this past season and wish nothing but the best for him on his next steps,” said head coach Bryan Harsin . “The decision to leave Auburn was not an easy one for him, and he will always be a part of the Auburn family."
With Mason stepping down, linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding will be elevated to defensive coordinator position.
“Coach Schmedding was at Coach Mason’s side day after day getting our defense prepared and ready. He is a tremendous defensive coach, who has coordinated championship defenses and is a proven winner. I know our defense will take the next steps forward under Coach Schmedding’s leadership," Harsin said.
Schmedding was the defensive coordinator at Boise State for two seasons before coming to Auburn with Harsin. In 2019, Schmedding led the Boise State defense when they won the Mountain West Conference. That defensive unit was ranked top-25 nationally in scoring defense.
“We had some really positive things happen defensively this year and working alongside Coach Mason was a great experience for me,” said new Auburn defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding. “I can’t thank Coach Harsin enough for having the confidence in me to lead this defense. There is work to be done as we build on this past season. I know our defensive staff is ready for the challenge. "
Before Schmedding went to Boise State, he spent 15 seasons at Eastern Washington, where he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator. In that time, Eastern Washington won the FCS National Championship in 2010 and went to the title game in 2018.
Along with the changes at defensive coordinator, Auburn announced four other defensive staff changes including Jimmy Brumbaugh as defensive line coach and Christian Robinson as linebackers coach.
“As we worked through this entire process, we were able to zero in and find two defensive assistant coaches who fit the coaching criteria and expectations we must have,” Harsin said.
Defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh was a former All-SEC defensive lineman at Auburn from 1995-99. Brumbaugh's coaching career has spanned 20 years including stops at LSU, Kentucky, Syracuse, Tennessee, Colorado, Maryland and Oregon.
“Jimmy Brumbaugh is an Auburn Man with an extensive resume that includes several SEC schools and a long list of players he’s developed who have gone on to play in the NFL. He will be a veteran presence and great teacher of the game for our men up front.
17 players developed under Brumbaugh have been selected in the NFL draft including six first-round selections.
Linebackers coach Christian Robinson spent his playing career at the University of Georgia from 2009-2012 totaling 159 tackles. Robinson was apart of back-to-back SEC Eastern Division titles in 2011 and 2012.
“I want to thank Coach Harsin for this tremendous opportunity,” Robinson said. “As a player and coach in this league, I’ve seen the power of Auburn football and the passion of this fan base. There is a long history of great linebacker play here. It’s a privilege to help lead this next group of backers."
Robinson has spent the last four seasons as the linebackers coach at Florida where he helped lead Florida to the top of numerous defensive categories in the SEC.
The other defensive staff changes are:
Cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge will take over coaching Auburn’s secondary and serve as recruiting coordinator
Bert Watts will continue to coordinate the special teams and coach edge linebackers while adding the title of associate head coach
