Auburn hiring former Big Ten staffer for new role

Auburn is set to hire a former Big Ten staffer for a role with the Tigers. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, the program is hiring Minnesota’s Ty Gatson to be their associate director of player personnel and recruiting operations.

“Auburn is hiring Minnesota’s Ty Gatson as associate director of player personnel/recruiting operations, sources tell @On3sports,” revealed Zenitz. “Gatson served as Minnesota’s on-campus recruiting coordinator and transfer portal manager.”

During his time at Minnesota, Gatson was the on-campus recruiting coordinator and transfer portal manager for the Golden Gophers. Now, he’s taking his talents to Auburn, taking on the challenge of the SEC.

Before working for Minnesota, Gatson spent a season as the Offensive Line Graduate Assistant at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Additionally, the former Big Ten staffer also served as the Associate Director of Player Personnel for two seasons at the University of Arkansas. Finally, it all began for Gatson at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he started his career as the Offensive Assistant and Interim Offensive Line Coach.

Now, Ty Gatson will bring the attitude and work-ethic that made him successful at a bevy of stops to Auburn.

Auburn Tigers: Could they lose defensive coordinator Derek Mason?

Moreover, more change could be coming to the Auburn football program. Earlier this week, Tigers’ defensive coordinator Derek Mason officially emerged as a candidate for the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator position late on Wednesday night, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

Mason’s defense put together its most impressive performance of the 2021 season in the Iron Bowl, when they limited Alabama and Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young to just 10 points in regulation.

In the first half of that game, the numbers were simply incredible for the Auburn Tiger defense. They racked up five sacks, held ‘Bama to zero points, limited the Crimson Tide to 2.3 yards per play, and only four first downs.

The move makes perfect sense for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who just lost their former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Knowles was one of the nation’s best defensive coordinators and now Mike Gundy is looking to replace him with another high caliber defensive coordinator.

It’d be a huge hire for the Cowboys if they could pull it off, and if Auburn loses Mason, it’d be equally as big of a loss for them. His track record as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football speaks for itself.