What Charles Kelly said to the fans as he was officially announces as Auburn Tigers co-defensive coordinator

The Auburn Tigers have hired this former Alabama assistant as co-defensive coordinator.
Auburn Tigers have hired a co-defensive coordinator.Charles Kelly, who joined the Tigers’ staff earlier this year, has been officially designated co-defensive coordinator, according to Auburn Athletics.

Kelly spent one season as the Colorado Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator, working under Deion Sanders. Kelly was the Alabama Crimson Tide’s assistant defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 before joining Colorado. He was one of the Tide’s top recruiters. He formerly coached special teams and safeties for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2018 and served as defensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles from 2014 to 2017.

“I am very grateful to return to a university and a football program that have meant so much to me growing up in this state and playing for Coach Dye,” Kelly said in a statement. “It’s an honor to work with Coach Freeze, whom I greatly admire, and I’m grateful to him for this opportunity. I’m excited to work with Coach Freeze and this team to restore Auburn’s football program to the championship level it deserves. According to the Auburn Creed, ‘I believe in labor, hard work.’ I am not taking this chance lightly and am prepared to go to work. “War Eagle!”

Kelly received pledges from nine five-star players throughout his time with the Seminoles, Tide, and Buffaloes, including five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, the most recent.

During Kelly’s four seasons at Florida State, the Seminoles’ defense was regularly one of the best in the country, finishing in the top 20 in total defense three times. The same couldn’t be said about his defense this season at Colorado, which finished No. 130 nationally, arguably due in part to the Buffs’ lack of quality and depth on that side of the ball.

Kelly has also coached at Georgia Tech (2006-11), Nicholls State (2002-05), Eufaula (Ala.) High School (2000-01), Henderson State (1999), Jacksonville State (1994-98), Auburn (1993), and Phoenix City (Ala.) High School (1990-92).