It’s been quite the offseason for everyone involved with the Auburn football program, whether it be the inbound coaching staff hired by new head honcho Bryan Harsin or the outbound Tigers coaches and players who said their final goodbyes to the Plains (for now).
That is particularly true of former Auburn LB coach Travis Williams.
The beloved “T-Will” was a fan-favorite who was able to get the most out of his linebacker core during his tenure in Auburn (2015-20 as LB coach after spending 2014 as an analyst). Most recently, it appears that his work with K.J. Britt can result in Britt finding a home on day three of the NFL Draft.
After initially taking a position with the Miami Hurricanes, it appears that the allure of once again serving under Gus Malzahn is too good to pass up, as Williams has joined the long-time Auburn football head coach in Orlando:
Source: UCF is expected to hire Travis Williams as its defensive coordinator. First reported by @ESPNRittenberg.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 16, 2021
Former Auburn linebacker who was Gus Malzahn’s co-DC and linebackers coach at Auburn. Had recently been hired as the linebackers coach at Miami.
The move seemingly confirms that Williams was never part of Kevin Steele’s plot to usurp the head coaching position from Malzahn as Auburn Tweeter tweeted (on Twitter):
I’m just happy to know T-Will was NOT part of the coup attempt. https://t.co/OQwScYpCEf
— Auburn Tweeter (@Auburn_Tweeter) February 16, 2021
As this Auburn superfan put it, it is okay to cheer on Malzahn and the Knights in 2021 despite the recent history between the two teams:
VanAllenPlexico was a bit more hesitant, but reiterated that sentiment:
More reasons I’m gonna have to hold my nose and wish good fortune to UCF. https://t.co/mjbnESH0uR
— Van Allen Plexico (@VanAllenPlexico) February 16, 2021
In all seriousness, the hire was a great one. UCF has rebounded nicely from losing Josh Heupel to Tennessee in January by grabbing one of the more successful coaches from the SEC in the past decade.
As a few other Tiger fans put it, Williams is someone UCF fans should be excited about:
Home run hire. T-Will will have that defense hyped up and prepared every Saturday. Elite Recruiter too. Happy for him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kodi Burns as OC since Gus is going to call plays.
— Caleb White (@Whitty_White89) February 16, 2021
Fly War Eagle wishes a hearty War Eagle and good luck to former Auburn football coaches Gus Malzahn and Travis Williams, and to the UCF Knights in the AAC!