http://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Auburn-OL-coach-Herb-Hand-to-join-Texas-staff-12502105.php
Auburn OL coach Herb Hand to join Texas staff
Updated 3:06 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2018
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Auburn Tigers offensive line coach Herb Hand celebrates with lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (76) after a touchdown during the first half of a college football game against the Auburn Tigers, Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
lessCOLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Auburn Tigers offensive line coach Herb Hand celebrates with lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (76) after a touchdown during the first half of a college football game against the Auburn
... moreAUSTIN – Despite receiving a contract extension earlier this month, Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand will join Texas as coach Tom Herman's 10th assistant, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
ESPN's Brett McMuprhy first reported the move earlier Tuesday afternoon.
Hand will join UT's staff as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Interestingly, Hand and UT offensive line coach Derek Warehime, whose situation now becomes murky, were both in contact with Rice graduate transfer Calvin Anderson, a Longhorns target who started 36 consecutive games at left tackle for the Owls.
Had some great conversations with coach Hand @CoachHand and coach Warehime @CoachDWarehime yesterday. Immense amount of respect for both of these programs! #Auburn #Texas pic.twitter.com/v7CoqznPOG
— Calvin Anderson (@THE_CONDA25) January 13, 2018
Offensive coordinator Tim Beck will now form a sort of play-calling committee with Hand, who previously served in a similar capacity at Tulsa (2007-09). Prior to joining Auburn in 2016, Herb spent two seasons at Penn State as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach.
Herman repeatedly defended Beck and, to a larger extent, all of his offensive assistants throughout a trying year rife with injuries and inconsistent execution. The first-year coach repeatedly affirmed he had no intention of breaking this group up.
"I think continuity and consistency with your staff is really, really important in college football," Herman said. "It is one of the most underrated reasons for success in my opinion."
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Hand began his coaching career in 1991 at West Virginia Wesleyan and has also worked at Glenville State (1994-96), Concord (1997-98), Clemson (1999-2000), West Virginia (2001-06) and Vanderbilt (2010-13).
Auburn last season ranked 100th nationally in sacks allowed per game (2.57), but ranked 26th in both rushing offense (218.3 yards) and total offense (451.6). Texas ranked 95th nationally in rushing offense and ranked 103rd in sacks allowed.
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRMoyle
