Oklahoma State's Luper Named Auburn Running Backs Coach

by Jay Coulter on Jan 2, 2009 11:05 PM CST in Football Comment 20 comments

From Auburn Sports Information...

AUBURN - Curtis Luper, who has served as Oklahoma State's running backs coach for the previous four seasons and the assistant head coach for player development the last two seasons for the Cowboys, has been named running backs coach at Auburn, head coach Gene Chizik announced Friday.

Under Luper, the OSU running attack has led the Big 12 Conference in rushing the last three seasons and finished the 2008 campaign averaging 245.5 yards per game. Prior to their bowl game, the Cowboys, who finished with a 9-4 record, were seventh nationally in rushing.

"The opportunity to reconnect with my mentor in Coach Chizik and have the chance to coach at a program known as `Running Back U.', was something that I could not pass up," Luper said. "My coaching philosophy and foundation was established with Coach Chizik 13 years ago at Stephen F. Austin, where we took our initial jobs, and arm in arm helped the program to the national semifinals.

"I'm excited to be reunited with Coach Chizik and join Gus Malzahn, who is nationally known as one of the innovators offensively. Those aspects combined with the chance to coach at a tradition-rich program like Auburn, is a dream come true."

Oklahoma State finished seventh nationally and first in the Big 12 Conference in rushing in 2006 and 2007 averaging 243.2 and 208.0 yards per game, respectively. Under Luper's tutelage, the Cowboys have had back-to-back 1,000 yard rushers in Kendall Hunter (1,555) in 2008 and Dantrell Savage (1,272) in 2007.

"Curtis Luper is a tremendous coach, who I've had the pleasure of watching blossom from a player to the successful individual that he is today," Chizik said. "I had a great amount of respect for him as a player and while mentoring him in the beginning of his coaching career. Curtis has done an outstanding job coaching running backs and I am excited to coach with him again."

Prior to his arrival at OSU, Luper was the running backs coach at New Mexico from 2002-04 and the secondary/assistant head coach at Texas A&M-Commerce from 1999-01.

While at New Mexico, Luper coached the Mountain West Conference's career rushing leader in DonTrell Moore and helped the Lobo's finish 16th nationally in rushing in 2003.

A native of Sherman, Texas, Luper began his coaching career as a graduate assistant (secondary) at Stephen F. Austin (1995-96) and was the running backs coach at SFA in 1997 before serving in the same capacity at McKinney (Texas) High School.

Luper began his playing career at Oklahoma State, where he played from 1984-87, but his stay was interrupted from 1988 to 1992 when he served as an air traffic controller for the United States Army.

During his tenure in the Army, Luper spent eight months combined at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Ala. and Fort Rucker near Enterprise, Ala. He completed his eligibility at Stephen F. Austin as a second-team all-Southland Conference running back in 1993 when he led the team in rushing and scoring.

Luper earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Stephen F. Austin in 1996 and master's degree in communications from SFA in 1998. He is expected to receive his doctoral degree in secondary and higher education from Texas A&M-Commerce in May 2009.

Luper is married to the former Nikki Echols. The couple has three daughters, A'rielle, Charitie and Cheyenne, and two sons, Cameron and Chancellor.

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man Chizik is really getting my attention. certainly it comes to how our team plays next year because he hasn’t proven himself in that aspect just yet, but he is making probably the best moves he can considering the circumstances.
war damn eagle Coach Chizik, now please go grab us a good defensive coordinator.

by Apeman3289 on Jan 2, 2009 11:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Great hire!!! I watch a lot of big 12 football and OSU gets there ground game to establish the tempo for the rest of the game much like we’ve always done. I guess well be starting a new QB next year.

1990 National Champions- Colorado Buffalo's
1913,1957,1983,1993,2004 National Champs- Auburn Tigers

by trayrenfro on Jan 3, 2009 10:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

if you track recruiting you might want to.....

go to espn.com and go to recruiting and look at the recruits considering AU….that number has increased the past couple of days since the announcement of Malzahn as OC….it deserves mentioning because several decommitts are now reconsidering AU as well as a couple of ESPN 150 guys that weren’t on the radar previously. I would have to think that Malzahn was more than aware of Luper and his ability in coaching running backs (spread formation). So far I like what I am seeing I just hope that this can translate to success in recruiting and on the field.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jan 3, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

all I got to say is...

WOW! Chiz is getting it done for sure. I saw on Auburn Undercover that he may be targeting Trooper Taylor as well. Apparently he is a solid recruiter as well.

If this was “the plan” he laid out to JJ…no wonder he was hired over TG.

WDE

by TigerinWA on Jan 3, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder who targeted these guys

Is this Chizik wanting these guys or if Malzahn is pointing to them? Either way they are getting good guys with good experience in run spread offenses. I expect an announcement of DC tomorrow morning so that we can hit the recruiting trail come next week. I think this class might really be salvaged before it is done and might possibly be a top 10 class as long as we can get them in uniforms. We just need to get a few offensive lineman to help out.

Has anyone heard anything about Chaz possibly coming back now that Tubs is gone? I don’t think he has signed with anyone has he?

by Mattco on Jan 3, 2009 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Very perplexing....

Is it possible the Jays got it right by hiring Coach Chizik? Coach Chizik is certainly making some very impressive hires and it makes you wonder if that was the problem at Iowa State…not having quality coaches at his side. The head coach sets the tone for the program and must be able to manage the program but he can’t do it all, he’s got to have good people around him that can coach up the talent and handle…AND EXCEL….at the given coaching discipline they are responsible for. Being a first time head coach …especially at Iowa State….may have made it very difficult to attract the quality co-ordinators and assistants to build a winning program. Whether Coach Chizik is going to be able mold his coaches and players into a winning program is still to be determined but it is very reassuring that his is able to draw quality coaches to the Plains. And to those folks who assumed that the dismissal of Tubby meant no decent coaches would want to come to Auburn….well you underestimate the draw of Auburn University and power of the opportunity to coach at a top tier program in the SEC.

Another thing I think that needs to be addressed is how pessimistic folks are about our prospects for a good year next year. We definitely have a tough row to hoe next year with our road games and West Virginia coming to town but I think we can rebound quickly with the talent we have on deck with a cohesive coaching staff, something I don’t hink we had this year on the offensive side. I don’t think you can underestimate how damaging the dysfunction on the coaching staff was to the players performance. When players see dysfunction, poor preparation and lack of dedication from its coaches, it naturally bleeds into their preparation and performance. No better evidence I think is necessary than our offensive line performance. In 2007 the O line was a strength and was part of the reason for the high expectations in 2008, instead they devolved into an undiciplined and mistake laden group that got worse as the year went on. I really think having a new group of cohesive coaches, motivated to succeed will get us back on track in a hurry. Sure we should expect some rough patches early on, but if Coach Chizik can bring that ’04 magic back on defense and Malzahn can coach up the QB and WR play, we might be in for some very pleasant surprises next fall.

On what day did the Lord create Bear Bryant and couldn't he have rested on that day too?

by Col.Angus on Jan 3, 2009 3:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would expect......

that with the talent pool at AU there is the chance that next year could turn out to be better than anyone could have predicted. Its just too early to get our hopes up at this point. I am extremely encouraged by the hirings to this point. I never thought that Chizik would have trouble getting good assistants…..but I did think that they would come from lesser programs and so far that is the case. I would have liked him to snatch up Oregeron before Kiffen did but that probably wasn’t going to happen considering Kiffen had the upper hand with the USC connection. I will be very interested to see who he gets as O-line and Recievers coaches….hopefully it will be as solid as the hires so far. I doubt that Chaz Ramsey will stay at AU regardless….I am not sure that Chaz had a problem with the coaching staff as much as he did certain team mates and I am not sure that he has ever gotten medical clearance to play again. At this point I am more curious to see if Chizik will install the Tampa 2 defense again than I am to see who is the DC.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jan 3, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

decommitments

Here is a look at ESPN recruiting. Don’t know what others are seeing. It looks bad, real bad.

Jamie Collins, a defensive back / linebacker from Franklin County (Meadville, Miss.), has pledged to Southern Mississippi after recently decommitting from Auburn following the recent coaching change.

According to his father, Raymond Cotton has decommitted from the Tigers and is no longer considering Auburn, ESPN affiliate Web site AuburnUndercover.com reports.
He is now focusing on Mississippi, Arkansas, Southern Miss, Tennessee and Florida.
Ray Sr. said they learned linebackers coach James Willis will not be retained by new head coach Gene Chizik.
“Coach Willis was let go, so he decided to decommit. It’s frustrating. (Ray Jr.) really like Auburn, he like the campus, he liked the coaching staff and he gave Auburn and the situation every chance.”

Wesley Johnson has agreed to a Class of 2009 scholarship offer from Vanderbilt over Auburn, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Memphis and Middle Tennessee State.
He told the Tennesean, “Throughout the whole process I’ve been close to committing. Auburn was in the picture, but it was always Vandy as my No. 1. Once the coaching situation happened with (Coach Tommy) Tuberville at Auburn, I wanted to go ahead and commit to Vanderbilt. I see a rising program there and I want to be a part of that and do something special.”

Zhamal Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman from Navarro CC, Texas, has committed to Arkansas.
Originally from New Iberia, La., Thomas redshirted as a freshman at LSU. He chose the Razorbacks over Auburn and Utah.

Alabama has snared one of the South’s top linebacker prospects in Jonathan Atchison who decommitted from Auburn following the resignation of Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville.
Among the prospect’s other offers are Kentucky, Louisville, Rutgers, Mississippi, Mississippi State and West Virginia.
ESPN affiliate Web site CrimsonConfidential.com caught up with the newest member of Alabama’s 2009 class. “"It has been real close all along between both schools, but I decided to switch my commitment to Alabama the other night,” Atchison said.
“Stability was a big reason my mom and I liked Auburn, so when coach Tubs left, that kind of pushed us to switch,” Atchison said. “Coach Saban isn’t going anywhere any time soon, and they have been recruiting me hard.”

Auburn suffered another major decommitment in Rodney Scott of Dixie County (Cross City, Fla.), who is rated No. 23 among Class of 2009 running backs.

Defensive lineman Terrence Coleman of Williamson (Mobile, Ala.) has decommitted from Auburn following the resignation of head coach Tommy Tuberville.
Coleman was Auburn’s first pledge in the 2009 class. He is a nephew to current Auburn defensive lineman Antonio Coleman.
Although decommitted, Terrence Coleman will now consider the Tigers, Alabama, Arkansas, Southern Miss and Mississippi, among others.

One of Mississippi’s top defensive backs, David Conner of South Panola (Batesville, Miss.), and defensive lineman Montez Robinson of Avon, Ind., have also decommitted from Auburn.

by Titusville Tiger on Jan 3, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that's sobering...

Good research. Let’s hope some of these prospects reconsider as a staff is built.

by atlWDE on Jan 3, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats the same stuff.....

that has been up for a while during the dead period……..I will be shocked if Terrence Coleman isn’t back on board now that his uncle has decided to return…..and with Coach Willis back on board I would expect several decommits to come back I know several Blue Chips have recently added AU to their list of schools being considered. I think the initial reaction of the Tuberville firing is being slowly reversed and Chizik has so far done pretty good for the circumstances.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jan 3, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here are a few updates

The rumors floating around and some are fact.
Terrance Coleman has recommitted according to Rivals.com
We will most likely end up with Cotton and Connor. We are still in the picture for Montez Robinson and wouldn’t count us out. Rodney Scott might not come back and will probably end up at Ole Miss with their solid bowl game.

Atchinson probably will end up at Bama. Thomas already signed a LOI with Arkansas.

This class has the potential to end up being as good as any since about 2003 or 2004 though with all the controversy. What a difference a coach that is out hustling for recruits makes. I would guess that we end up with Petey Smith also. The class won’t fill the gaping voids that we have at lineman though, that is why I would love to get Chaz Ramsey back.

by Mattco on Jan 3, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just read it on Rivals.....

about Terrence Coleman..that is good news. I don’t think we are as bad at O-line as you think…..despite the sophomore slump that Ziemba suffered along with Pugh. We have Mike Berry who made significant improvement this season and several players in waiting that may yet live up to the hype.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jan 3, 2009 7:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My thinking on the line

is mainly at the other tackle spot. More than likely Berry is going to be a guard and Pugh will move back to center. But with Eddins and Ziemba we are still lacking another tackle and Chaz could help with that or if we can go out and get Bobbie Massie (he is supposed to be game ready) then that would really help with some depth and give us a good starting group if they can learn to play together.

by Mattco on Jan 3, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm betting on Byron Isom getting the guard position....

with Berry staying put at right tackle. Also look for Charles Bates to step into at least a backup role at Tackle along with andrew mccain.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jan 3, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trooper Taylor may come to Auburn, too,...

http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2009/01/luper_trooper_land_in_auburn.html

Couple of links to info on Trooper Taylor:

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=365

http://www.okstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=200&ATCLID=1383999&Q_SEASON=2008

War Eagle!

by WarEagle99 on Jan 4, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Some interesting comments by Luper and about Luper from the first article link above...

Luper’s plan for the next 30 days leading up to National Signing Day?

“Recruiting, recruiting and recruiting. That’s the plan. We actually have a recruiting meeting today. We’re going to sit down and get a plan. We’re going to go get some big-time football players.”

Luper said there won’t be recruiting areas this year, but he expects to ultimately recruit Texas, which he’s done for the last 15 years.

Would Luper like to be joined in Auburn by Taylor? “Absolutely. That’s why he’s on the airplane right here. You’ll see how good of a recruiter I am pretty soon, I hope.”

Luper on Trooper: “He’s a phenomenal man. He was very successful at Tennessee, you guys know that. I recruited him to Oklahoma State. I’ve been with him now for a year, he’s a great family man. He’s a phenomenal story. He’s one of 16 children. I’ll let him tell you the rest. He’s a phenomenal man. He’s a great recruiter, great coach, great person, I could go on and on.”

War Eagle!

by WarEagle99 on Jan 4, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jay Boulware may be coming to Auburn, too...

http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2009/01/report_boulware_next_to_join_a.html

Info on Boulware:

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=802597&Q_SEASON=2007

War Eagle!

by WarEagle99 on Jan 4, 2009 4:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's confirmed. Boulware coming to Auburn...

as special teams coordinator.

http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2009/01/auburn_confirms_boulware_will.html

by WarEagle99 on Jan 4, 2009 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crazy enough

If we get Trooper Taylor along with everyone else. You know, our offense might just be our focal point as opposed to our defense. Wouldn’t that be the craziest thing you could imagine?

by Sparkey on Jan 4, 2009 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am strating to feel like

if we manage to hire Trooper, we will end up with a few good recruits from off our board. Still, it will take a year to get the offense in sync with each other and we still have to get a offensive line coach who can take advantage of the players we have and Malzahn will have his work cut out for him with our stable of quartebacks.

No matter what, I am more excited about next year than I have been in a long time.

by Mattco on Jan 4, 2009 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs