The 2009 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by first year head coach Gene Chizik. Despite playing the 12th toughest schedule in the nation, the Tigers finished the season 8–5 (3–5 in SEC play) and won the Outback Bowl 38–35 in overtime against Northwestern.
While Auburn was unranked at the end of the season in both major polls, several BCS participating computer rating systems such as Sagarin (#22), Massey (#22), Peter Wolfe (#25), Howell (#24), David Wilson (#21), Team Rankings (#18) and the FACT Foundation (#21)Men's college football standings included the Tigers in their final top 25 rankings.
The offense finished the season ranked 2nd in the SEC and 16th in the nation (with just under 432 yards per game),Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report. Total Offense while the defense struggled with depth issues and finished 68th and 2nd worst in the SEC. The pass efficiency defense however was 3rd best in the SEC and ranked 22nd in the nation.
Coaching change On December 3, 2008, Auburn University announced that 10-year head coach Tommy Tuberville would not return for an eleventh season. The coaching search ended less than two weeks later when Auburn announced Iowa State's second-year head coach and former Auburn defensive coordinator Gene Chizik as the Tigers' next head coach. Auburn had interviewed at least eight coaches, including Buffalo's Turner Gill and TCU's Gary Patterson.
Schedule Auburn's schedule consisted of eight Southeastern Conference opponents (four home, four away) and four non-conference opponents. Auburn opened the season against Louisiana Tech. It was the twelfth matchup between the schools and the first meeting since 2004. The Tigers also hosted Mid-American Conference opponent Ball State for the third time. Also, Football Championship Subdivision foe Furman visited for the first time since 1956. Auburn began conference play in the second week, hosting Mississippi State. The following week, the Tigers hosted West Virginia, the second game in a home-and-home series between the two teams. The Tigers had previously faced all twelve regular season opponents, with Auburn holding the all-time series lead going into the season against all but Alabama (33–39–1), LSU (19–23–1), and West Virginia (0–1).
Rankings
Game summaries Louisiana Tech
Source: Louisiana Tech vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - September 5, 2009
Mississippi State
Source: Mississippi State vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - September 12, 2009
West Virginia
Source: West Virginia vs. Auburn - College Football Game Recap - September 19, 2009
Ball State
Source: Ball State vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - September 26, 2009
Tennessee
Source: Auburn vs. Tennessee - College Football Game Recap - October 3, 2009
Arkansas
Source: Auburn vs. Arkansas - College Football Box Score - October 10, 2009
Kentucky
Sources: Kentucky vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - October 17, 2009
LSU
Sources: Auburn vs. LSU - College Football Box Score - October 24, 2009
Ole Miss
Sources: Ole Miss vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - October 31, 2009
Furman
Sources: Furman vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - November 7, 2009
Georgia
Sources: Auburn vs. Georgia - College Football Box Score - November 14, 2009
Alabama
Sources: Alabama vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - November 27, 2009
Northwestern
Sources: Northwestern vs. Auburn - College Football Box Score - January 1, 2010
Personnel Coaching staff Name Position Alma mater Year entering Gene Chizik Head coach Florida 1st Gus Malzahn Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Henderson State 1st Ted Roof Defensive coordinator/linebackers Georgia Tech 1st Trooper Taylor Assistant head coach/wide receivers Baylor 1st Curtis Luper Running backs/recruiting coordinator Stephen F. Austin 1st Jeff Grimes Offensive line UTEP 1st Jay Boulware Special teams coordinator/Tight ends Texas 1st Phillip Lolley Cornerbacks Livingston 1st Tommy Thigpen Safeties North Carolina 1st Tracy Rocker Defensive line Auburn 1st Kevin Yoxall Head Strength and Conditioning Coach TCU 10th
Depth chart Starters and backups.
References