Auburn Hires Melvin Smith Away From Mississippi State

Auburn has hired away Mississippi State assistant football and secondary coach Melvin Smith, Auburn Undercover reports ($).

The move was somewhat expected, as Johnson and Smith previously worked together at Mississippi State from 2006 - 2007.

Smith, a Magee, Mississippi native and Delta State graduate, first joined MSU's staff in 1995, and coached in Starkville until 2001. Smith did stints at Alabama (2002) and Texas A&M (2003-2005) before returning to MSU's staff in 2006.

New Auburn coach Gus Malzahn seems to be hiring up a good bit of Croom's former staff, as Smith will be joining Johnson (2004 - 2007), J.B Grimes (offensive line, 2004 - 2008), and Charlie Harbison (Co-DC 2007 - 2008).

State will certainly hate to lose Smith, who has formed one of the nation's best defensive backfields in his 8+ years in Starkville. Smith, additionally, was a vital asset for State on the recruiting trail, and will be greatly missed.

MSU will now be tasked with replacing its entire secondary as well as its secondary coach.

All the best to Coach Smith at Auburn. We will keep you informed as State searches for a new defensive backs coach.

[UPDATE] - Auburn University has confirmed the hire.