The Auburn Tigers have added a co-defensive coordinator to their staff.
Charles Kelly, who joined the Tigers’ staff earlier this year, has been named co-defensive coordinator, according to an Auburn Athletics statement.
Kelly spent one season as the Colorado Buffaloes’ backup quarterback to Deion Sanders. Kelly formerly worked as an assistant defensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2019 to 2022. He was one of the Tide’s most effective recruiters. He formerly coached special teams and safeties for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2018, and served as defensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles from 2014 to 2017.
“I am very grateful to return to a university and a football program that have meant so much to me growing up in this state and playing for Coach Dye,” Kelly said in a statement. “It’s an honor to work with Coach Freeze, whom I hold in high regard, and I’m grateful to him for this opportunity.” I’m excited to work with Coach Freeze and this team to return our program to the level of championship football that Auburn deserves. As stated in the Auburn Creed, ‘I believe in labor, hard work.’ I am excited about this opportunity and am prepared to go to work. “Fight, Eagle!”
Kelly received pledges from nine five-star players throughout his time with the Seminoles, Tide, and Buffaloes, including five-star cornerback Cormani McClain.
During Kelly’s tenure at Florida State, the Seminoles had one of the greatest defenses in the country, finishing in the top 20 in total defense in three of his four seasons. The same could not be said for his defense at Colorado, which finished 130th in the country, owing in part to the Buffs’ lack of talent and depth on that side of the ball.
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