Auburn is poised to hire former Texas A&M defensive backs coach TJ Rushing as a “special assistant,” according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Auburn is expected to hire former Texas A&M defensive backs coach TJ Rushing as a special assistant, a source tells @247sports.
Rushing, an ex-NFL defensive back and Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts, helped A&M rank No. 1 nationally in pass defense in 2022.… pic.twitter.com/rm7fe6GsO3
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) June 20, 2024
Rushing has been on former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher’s staff since 2020. Fisher was fired as Texas A&M’s head coach in November, and incoming coach Mike Elko hired a new staff.
Rushing spent two years at Texas A&M working with D.J. Durkin, the new Auburn defensive coordinator. Durkin was the defensive coordinator for Texas A&M in 2022 and 2023. Rushing was the defensive backs coach for a team that had the nation’s best pass defense in 2022, allowing only 156.2 passing yards per game.
However, the Aggies slipped in that statistic in 2023, allowing 207.4 yards per game, the 37th best mark in the country. Auburn placed 31st. The decline of Texas A&M’s defense in 2023 had a significant role in the costly decision to replace Fisher.
Rushing’s job as a supposed special assistant is not entirely apparent. Rushing has a high recruitment profile. Rushing has been the primary or secondary recruiter for five separate top 100 recruits that have signed with Texas A&M since 2022, according to 247Sports. Rushing is also mentioned as the major recruiter for two five-star recruits, including Terry Bussey, the No. 11 overall player in the 2024 class.
Auburn retained Wesley McGriff as their cornerbacks coach and hired Charles Kelly, a former Colorado defensive coordinator, as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
