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JAKELL MITCHELL SHOOTING
It was all the news yesterday, but it bears mentioning again this morning. Freshmen Tight-end Jakell Mitchell was killed in a shooting in Auburn late Saturday night / early Saturday morning. Phillip Marshall wrote a touching piece about first receiving the news yesterday morning. Auburn University released a statement from head coach Gus Malzahn and AD Jay Jacobs.
More details have come out about the incident that led to the shooting. A Camp Hill man has been arrested and charged with murder in the event. His family is struggling to come to grips with the shooting, as you would expect. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and Mitchell's friends and teammates. There will be a candle-light vigil in downtown Opelika on Monday evening at 6pm for Mitchell.
This is a tragic loss in so many ways. A young man with a very bright future had his life suddenly ended; his family's hope and dreams for him snuffed out in one senseless act. When former TE Phillip Lutzenkirchen was killed in a car accident just before the season began, AU Journalism professor John Carvalho wrote a touching piece on this subject. It is especially poignant again today.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR HIRE
The tragic events of Sunday morning sapped all of the joy out of what should have been a joyful weekend for the Auburn Family. After almost two weeks of wondering, Will Muschamp made it official late Friday night that he is indeed returning to the Plains to be the defensive coordinator.
No other staff changes have been made - and aren't likely to be made until after the bowl games - but it is expected that there will be some coming. Will deferred to Gus Malzahn in his opening press conference on the matter, but Gus has said that Will will have ownership of the defensive staff. Charlie Harbison will be the DC during the bowl preparation, with Muschamp observing the team. It is suspected that former Auburn DB and recruiter-extraordinaire Travaris Robinson will likely join Muschamp at Auburn, but as of Sunday night Robinson was still recruiting for the Gators. The dead period in recruiting begins today and lasts through bowl season, which is one reason not to expect any changes. Coaches will be allowed to finish out the season with the players they've been coaching. However, before that dead period began, Coach Muschamp was already out visiting some important Tiger prospects.
AUBURN FOOTBALL
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer continues their "too early" look at next season's depth. They're now on to the Center position.
One position that's already seen a gain is the running back position. 5* JUCO running back Jovon Robinson has joined the team and will be involved in bowl workouts to get a head start on learning the offense.
Two other future additions for the Tigers came up big on Saturday in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game. Auburn commit TE Jalen Harris had a big score in the game, and RB Kerryon Johnson - fresh off a record setting performance in the Alabama State Championship game - took home the MVP of the all-star game with three rushing touchdowns and 130 total yards.
AUBURN BASKETBALL
First, the good news. The women picked up their third straight victory in a 64-41 win over Samford on Sunday afternoon.
The men, however, fell 72-61 to Clemson. Antoine Mason played for the first time since the Milwaukee game against the Other Tigers, and brand new Center Trayvon Reed saw a good bit of playing time off the bench.