Jake Thornton preaching 'positive energy' and 'confidence' in rebuilding the offensive line
AUBURN – If there’s a position group on Auburn’s football team that could benefit the most from a boost of confidence, it might be the offensive line. The group has been much maligned the last few years, and there’s legitimate reasons behind that.
For new offensive line coach Jake Thornton, that boost in confidence needs to start with the coaches.
“We have to bring that positive energy. The past is the past. For us to sit here and think about the past is detrimental to our growth,” Thornton said after day one of spring camp. “But also sitting here and thinking about the tomorrows that haven’t happened is also detrimental. We have to live right now and find a way to get better today. We have to find a way in a couple of hours to get better and get ready for these meetings.”
JOIN AUBURN LIVE FOR $29.99 AND RECEIVE ACCESS UNTIL AUGUST 31
Auburn only topped 200 yards rushing three times last season entering the last four games, and two of those were against Mercer and San Jose State. The switch flipped after the coaching change, as the Tigers rushed for over 252 yards and five yards per carry in each of the last four games, three of those being conference games. Positive momentum was gained, but then the season ended, new coaches were hired, and new players were brought to campus.
Entering spring camp, it’s a new-look group with transfers Dillon Wade, Avery Jones and Gunner Britton, along with JUCO transfer Izavion Miller, all joining returners Tate Johnson, Kameron Stutts, Jeremiah Wright, Colby Smith, Garner Langlo, E.J. Harris and others.
“I’m challenging my guys to take it rep by rep, day by day, meeting by meeting and stack it all up,” Thornton said. “For them, I tell them everyday, and I believe our team, is taking pride that they are an Auburn Tiger. They get to walk in this building everyday, they get to walk past the national championship trophies and walk past the Heisman trophy winners and they get to wear the AU on their chest. That gives them that confidence and as long as we are confident in them.”
Football is supposed to be fun, and Thornton is making sure that’s not lost on his unit.
“We are coaching them hard, now. When we use the word fun, that is part of this. You are not supposed to miserable out there,” Thornton said.
“Now you have to work hard and we are going to challenge you and there will be tough times. But if we have that relationship and we build trust in each other as players and coaches and working together we will be able to get through those tough times and get on the other side of it.”
Auburn will return to the practice fields on Wednesday.
The Tigers will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the most part leading into the April 8 spring game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s the schedule of practices: February 27, March 1, 3, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, April 3, 5, 7 and 8. Auburn will take the week of March 5-11 off for spring break.
