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Auburn expected to hire Chad Lunsford as special teams coordinator

Justin Hokansonby:Justin Hokanson•about 10 hours•

_JHokanson

Chad Lunsford (Photo by FAU Athletics)
Chad Lunsford (Photo by FAU Athletics)

AUBURN — Auburn is expected to hire Chad Lunsford as special teams coordinator, Auburn Live has learned.

Lunsford spent the last three seasons at Florida Atlantic as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. Before that, Lunsford was the head coach at Georgia Southern for three-plus seasons.

Lunsford coached with new Edge coach Roc Bellantoni at Florida Atlantic. Lunsford and Bellantoni join new safeties coach TJ Rushing, who was recently promoted from an off-the-field position, as brand-new additions to Auburn’s primary coaching staff.

More about Lunsford

While at FAU in 2022, kicker Morgan Suarez was ranked among the nation’s leaders in field goal percentage, field goals per game, and points responsible for, while punter Riley Thompson ended his season providing every punt for an average of 45.4 yards, ranking second among all CUSA punters and No. 12 nationally for that average. In January of 2023, Lunsford was elevated to associate head coach/special teams coordinator and continued to focus attention on the tight ends.

The 2023 season saw a marked improvement in both return units. The Owls were ranked No. 4 nationally in punt returns, a 28 spot leap while the kick return unit moved up 36 spots. Lunsford was instrumental in punt returner LaJohntay Wester’s No. 2 national finish in punt return touchdowns and his FWAA First Team All-American and HERO Sports Group of Five as an AP selections as well as Wester’s AAC Special Team Player of the Year and First Team AAC selection.

While head coach at Georgia Southern from 2018-2021, Lunsford tallied a 28-21 record after leading the Eagles to three bowl appearances and two victories. Lunsford took over HC duties in 2017 and was head coach in part of the 2022 season. He spent time as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern from 2013-2017.

Lunsford was on Auburn’s staff from 2009-2012. He served four years in an administrative position with the Auburn football program. He served in consecutive roles as the Tigers’ Director of Scouting and Director of Player Personnel, assisting with the day-to-day operations of Auburn football, with an emphasis on recruiting, organizing and prospect evaluation.

Lunsford is credited with making advancements in technology and introducing new concepts to help the Tigers win recruiting wars, Lunsford assisted with and organized numerous other aspects of Auburn’s recruiting process. The Tigers boasted three of the nation’s top recruiting classes in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and that success translated to the field where Auburn claimed the 2010 BCS national championship, 2010 Southeastern Conference Championship and made appearances in two other bowl games.

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