When head coach Gus Malzahn hired quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham before last bowl season, the Auburn Tigers knew they got a good one. It was only a matter of time before he landed a Power 5 job and going to the SEC was an ideal fit. Now, he's leaving after just one season on The Plains.
For the second year in a row, Malzahn will need to replace his Auburn OC. The Tigers lost Chip Lindsey last season when he joined Les Miles' coaching staff at Kansas. Now, Dillingham is reportedly leaving to reunite with former Memphis coach Mike Norvell at Florida State.
Dillingham coached under Norvell at Memphis, helping the Tigers reach new heights in total offense. The dynamic two are joining forces again in the ACC to lead the FSU Seminoles in Tallahassee, according to Pete Thamel at Yahoo Sports.
Auburn's Kenny Dillingham to FSU
Source: Florida State is hiring Auburn OC Kenny Dillingham as the offensive coordinator. He worked under Mike Norvell at Memphis and Arizona State is considered one of the country's rising OC stars.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 9, 2019
The news isn't overly shocking, but it's still a big blow to Auburn and a massive get for Florida State football, which fired Willie Taggart last month.
Before arriving in Alabama, Dillingham worked at Arizona State and then three seasons at Memphis in the AAC. He's proven to be a dynamic FBS football coach and recruiter and it showed in his short time with Auburn.
New FSU assistant Kenny Dillingham is a Top 40 recruiter and is listed as a primary or secondary for 8 of Auburn's commits.
Here are some prospects Dillingham has recruiting ties to (VIP):https://t.co/nFNayy3hbB
— Noles247.com (@Noles247) December 9, 2019
Under his leadership as an assistant coach, the Auburn Tigers went 10-3, including a win in last year's Music City Bowl and this season against Alabama. Finding a replacement to duplicate that production with quarterback Bo Nix is certainly easier said than done, even if Malzahn is still the play-caller.
Auburn offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is gone after his first year. He's leaving immediately to join the Florida State Seminoles and doesn't owe the school any buyout money, according to AL.com.
This is just the beginning of the coaching carousel in NCAA college football. However, this is a significant one for both schools.
MORE: LSU's Ed Orgeron Told Lane Kiffin Not to Take Ole Miss Job
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