AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -Auburn hired Troy offensive coordinator Tony Franklin on Wednesday to run the Tigers’ offense.
Franklin, who will also coach quarterbacks, spent the past two seasons running a no-huddle, spread offense at Troy. He is also is a former Kentucky offensive coordinator.
“Tony has had a tremendous amount of success offensively in the Southeastern Conference and during his most recent position at Troy,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. “He teaches an exciting brand of offense that has posted some very impressive numbers, statistically.”
Franklin replaces Al Borges, whose resignation was announced on Tuesday, and will at least help coach the offense in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Dec. 31 against Clemson. Franklin said he wasn’t sure who would call the plays in the bowl game.
“I just want to be there and kind of watch and get a head-start on evaluating the talent for this spring,” Franklin said. “If I’ve got a suggestion of something we could do, maybe a little wrinkle or something, that would be good.”
The Tigers finished 101st in total offense out of 119 major college teams this season, averaging 328 yards per game. They have produced star running backs such as Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Rudi Johnson in recent seasons, but the passing attack has been sporadic.
Troy’s offense was even worse before Franklin’s arrival. The Trojans hadn’t ranked better than 111th nationally in total offense in the previous four seasons. They ranked 17th in total offense last season, averaging 453 yards per game.
Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook was the Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the year in both seasons under Franklin.
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