Auburn makes coaching changes to staff

AUBURN, Ala. (WALA) - The Auburn football defensive coaching staff, with the recent addition of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and assistant Willie Martinez, will undergo some restructuring effective immediately, announced head coach Gene Chizik Tuesday.

Tommy Thigpen, who has coached safeties since his arrival in 2009, will move to linebackers coach, while Martinez will coach the Auburn secondary. VanGorder will be involved with all aspects of coaching on the defensive side of the ball and Mike Pelton will remain as the defensive line coach.

“After carefully evaluating our staff, I feel this restructuring best suits our program,” Chizik said.

Thigpen played linebacker at North Carolina from 1989-92 and was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection before playing four years professionally. He has also coached linebackers for six season collegiately, most recently at North Carolina from 2005-08.

Martinez has coached the secondary his entire collegiate coaching career that spans over 20 years and was a defensive back on Miami’s 1983 national championship team.

Auburn’s annual spring game, A-Day, is slated for April 14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

-- Auburn University Media Services