Auburn’s Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts Set to Depart for Florida in Similar Coaching Role
Auburn is bracing for another shift in its coaching dynamics, marking the fifth consecutive season of restructuring the coordinator duo.
The anticipated departure of defensive coordinator Ron Roberts to join head coach Billy Napier at Florida has been reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. The move, expected to see Roberts assume a comparable role at Florida, comes as part of a broader coaching shuffle.
Zenitz broke the news, with subsequent confirmation from reporters covering both Auburn and Florida. Sources suggest that Florida intends to bring Roberts on board as the executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach.
The impact of Roberts’ coaching prowess is evident in the transformation of linebacker Asante, who, under a previous coaching staff, was deemed unfit to play.
Asante went on to become one of the leading tacklers in the SEC under Roberts’ guidance, showcasing the coach’s ability to develop players.
Expressing gratitude, Asante acknowledged Roberts’ role in instilling confidence and providing valuable lessons.
The linebacker’s success under Roberts is highlighted by a substantial increase in tackles, from one in 2022 to 86 in the 2023 season, ranking him seventh in the SEC.
Roberts is set to reunite with Napier, with whom he previously coached at Louisiana-Lafayette. The defensive coordinator played a pivotal role in Auburn’s defensive improvement, with the team jumping from 77th to 45th in national total defense rankings between 2022 and 2023.
However, questions linger about Roberts’ fit within Auburn’s coaching staff, particularly following reported disagreements with cornerbacks coach Wes McGriff.
McGriff, who stepped away from his coaching role due to personal issues, later transitioned to a different position on the accountability team. Unconfirmed rumors circulated about disagreements between McGriff and Roberts.
As Auburn looks ahead, stability is a key hope for head coach Hugh Freeze’s staff, given the recent turnover in coordinator positions.
The reported hiring of Charles Kelly and the pending announcement of his official job title contribute to the ongoing changes in Auburn’s coaching landscape.
Leave a Reply