Thigpen speaks…some more!

By Andrew Gribble
Auburn University Beat Reporter
Published: May 28, 2009

So safeties coach Tommy Thigpen was kind enough to sit down with the blog yesterday for a 30-minute chat inside his office at the Auburn Athletic Complex. And we, in return, were kind enough to provide a football story in the thick of spring, just because we know it’s what you like.

We do what we do for you.

Anyways, there was plenty that Thigpen had to say that didn’t make that there story. We’ll be using plenty in stories to come, but here are some excerpts to hold you over during your Thursday lunch. Or brunch if that’s how you roll.

How’s the move gone?
When you work with good people, it’s always a good transition. I knew Ted (Roof), I knew Tracy (Rocker) and I heard so many stories about (Phillip) Lolley. I knew (Trooper Taylor). So when I came it wasn’t anything dramatic. It was an easy adjustment because of the people I’m working with.

It’s right in the middle of recruiting. You don’t have time to think about it.

What’s your experience with in-state recruiting?
In the beginning, I was out-of-state. I was in Atlanta. I didn’t recruit in the state. In my last year, (Butch Davis) wanted to get in Charlotte. We never controlled Charlotte.

Every coach in the state wants their kids to play at Alabama or Auburn. It’s either one or the other. When the coaches come around, they love the fact we’re recruiting the players and coming on the road to see their players. For those guys, they’d rather have their kids here than anywhere else.

What have your first impressions been like?
It’s a fanatical state. It’s different than any other place I’ve been. When you’re born here, you’re either Alabama or Auburn. When I go outside the state in an Auburn shirt, I’ve never seen anything like It where people are so passionate about their football. Women, children, pastors, they love their football in this state.

Thoughts on your co-workers?
(Gene Chizik) really picked this staff carefully. Guys that you know, guys that you trust. He did a lot of background checks. It’s not by accident. I don’t think it’s by accident at all. Head coach did his homework for who he wanted to be apart of this system.

What do you say to the people that said you made a lateral move in coming to Auburn?
If you’re on the outside looking on and not in the football profession, everyone wonders why you go from linebackers from safeties. Nobody has ever told me that because everybody that I’ve spoken to said that’s a pretty good move. I don’t see it as a lateral move. In the end, if you coach at Auburn University, you’ve recruited against the best, you coached against the best players in the country and get the chance to recruit the best players in the country. What else could you want?

(Photo credit: Vasha Hunt)