Former Auburn running back Lionel "Little Train" James passes away at 59

Former Auburn running back Lionel James – who earned the nickname “Little Train” for being a standout at the position despite only standing 5-foot-6 – passed away Friday, the program announced. He was 59.

James, who played at Auburn from 1980-1983, ranks No. 18 on the Tigers’ all-time career rushing list with 2,068 yards, while his average of 6.14 yards per carry puts him at No. 4 in school history. He led Auburn in all-purpose yards in both 1981 and 1982 and later helped the Tigers win the SEC championship in 1983.

Following his collegiate playing days at Auburn, James was selected in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and played five seasons – racking up 2,535 all-purpose yards in 1985 to set an NFL record while also being named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

James – who is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame – returned to Auburn after his NFL career and graduated in 1989. He later joined the Tigers’ coaching staff in 1996 as the tight ends coach for Terry Bowden.

Auburn announces hiring of former NFL star as WR coach

Auburn is bringing a former NFL star to The Plains. On Wednesday, the Tigers announced the hiring of former NFL wide receiver Ike Hilliard as their wide receivers coach.

“Auburn football has named former SEC great and 12-year National Football League veteran Ike Hilliard as wide receivers coach, head coach Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday,” wrote the program in a release. “An All-American at Florida in 1996, Hilliard spent the previous 11 seasons coaching in the NFL, most recently as wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

As the release mentions, Hilliard was with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their wide receivers coach for the last two seasons. Prior, he spent six seasons with the Washington Commanders in the same role. He also has coached the wide receivers for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.