Report: Former Baylor DC Ron Roberts set to become new defensive coordinator for Auburn Tigers

Former Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is set to become the new defensive coordinator for the Auburn Tigers, ESPN’s Bruce Feldman reported on Sunday evening. Roberts’ defense at Baylor led the Big 12 in run defense in 2021 and was ranked No. 3 in the conference this year. Baylor also led the Big 12 in turnovers gained in 2021. The Bears ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 in that category this year.

Baylor took a surprising step back in the 2022 campaign. They won a program-record 12 games during the 2021 season, but won just six games in 2022. Roberts came to Baylor with Dave Aranda when Aranda landed the Baylor job in 2020. Aranda had previously worked under Roberts when Roberts was the head coach at Delta State in 2007. While he was the head coach at Delta State, he led the team to a NCAA Division II national championship game appearance in 2010. Roberts also guided them to the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2011.

The Baylor defense led the Big 12 in multiple categories in 2021: interceptions (19), turnovers gained (27), turnover margin (0.93), and defensive touchdowns (3). The Bears’ defense also finished second in the Big 12 in run defense (118.4 yards per game), scoring defense (18.3 points per game), pass efficiency defense (121.54), and sacks per game (3.14).

Roberts also served as the defensive coordinator for the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. In 2019, Louisiana-Lafayette led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 18th in the nation in scoring defense (19.7 points per game). He spent two seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns and Roberts had nine defenders earn All-Sun Belt honors. ULL made two consecutive Sun Belt Championship appearances during his time there. The team also won a school-record 11 games in 2019, including a 27-17 bowl victory over Miami (Ohio).