CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Auburn's New Offensive Coordinator Causes Tigers To Pause


by - Correspondent -

CLEMSON - Auburn wasted little time in replacing ex-offensive coordinator Al Borges, hiring Tony Frankin away from Troy on Wednesday. It was a move that did not go unnoticed in Clemson.

After the Tigers' workout Wednesday, head coach Tommy Bowden said that while a total overhaul of the Auburn offense in just under three weeks would be next to impossible, what is possible is taking a portion of what already exists in the system and expanding on it.

"Their second string quarterback, when they bring him in, they do some of that spread-open stuff," Bowden said. "They have a little package of that already. So maybe they flip-flop. Maybe that becomes the major part of their package."

Franklin, who also was the offensive coordinator at Kentucky, told reporters earlier Wednesday that he was just going to watch the Auburn offense during the practice time before the Dec. 31 Chick-Fil-A Bowl matchup in order to get a feel for what he'll have to work with come spring.

"If I've got a suggestion of something we could do, maybe a little wrinkle or something, that would be good," Franklin said.

Borges' offense was 111th out of 119 Division I-A teams this season, averaging 328 yards per game.

Meanwhile, Bowden and defensive coordinator Vic Koening continue to operate this week without knowing the status of senior linebackers Tremaine Billie and Nick Watkins. Both have been held out of bowl practice thus far in order to give them the best chance possible to make the best score possible on their final exams.

Asked about the duo's chances for remaining eligible for the bowl game, Bowden shrugged.

"I was told it was slim we'd have them with us before the year started, and here they are," he said. "I don't really know."

He will know, however, by Saturday.

The Tigers will work out again Thursday morning. However Bowden and Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville will be taking part in a bowl press day in Atlanta.

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