Auburn football: Liberty interim HC expected to replace Christian Robinson

Though he has been kept busy for the past few weeks on the recruiting trail with new Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze, Christian Robinson will not be retained to coach the Tigers’ linebackers for the 2023 season.

It has been known since the weekend that Freeze hired Ron Roberts as defensive coordinator and Philip Montgomery as offensive coordinator, but both hires were only made official on Wednesday. It is likely that CRob was kept on board until a decision could be made by the defensive coordinator, and that decision came early Thursday morning.

Justin Hokanson reported the news that Robinson would not be retained, and indicated that the next linebackers coach is most likely going to be current Liberty interim head coach Josh Aldridge:

"Sources indicate that as of Thursday morning, unless there’s a change of heart, Aldridge will accept the position with Auburn following Liberty’s bowl game against Toledo on December 20. The move could come following signing day, which falls on December 21."

Prior to taking over as interim head coach, Aldridge served as the Flames’ linebackers coach as well as co-defensive coordinator. According to Lynchburg News Advance, Aldridge was Freeze’s first on-field hire at Liberty back in 2018, and also spent time during his four-year stint coaching the Flames’ defensive line.

Freeze’s first Auburn football staff is now slowly starting to come together, with Ben Aigamaua coaching tight ends, Carnell Williams coaching running backs, Jake Thornton coaching the offensive line, and Philip Montgomery in charge of quarterbacks and coordinating the offense. On the defensive side, Ron Roberts will be defensive coordinator, Wesley McGriff will coach the defensive backs, and Jeremy Garrett will take charge of the defensive line.

Coaching positions till open are the wide receivers, a second DB spot, and the linebackers coach in addition to several off-field staff positions. So far, the only former staff member retained has been Coach Caddy, but it’s still possible Freeze ends up keeping Zac Etheridge.