Dec. 26, 2008

AUBURN - James Willis, who has served as Auburn's linebackers coach since 2006, will remain on the defensive coaching staff, announced head coach Gene Chizik Friday.

Other football support staff members also being retained include strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall, director of football operations Jimmy Perry, director of NFL relations Phillip Lolley and team chaplain Rev. Chette Williams.

A former Auburn linebacker from 1990-92, Willis worked with linebackers at Temple (2005) and Rhode Island (2004-05) before returning to Auburn. Willis worked under Chizik for two years at Auburn while serving as a student assistant (2001-02) and graduate assistant (2003).

"James is a tremendous coach and an outstanding recruiter," Chizik said. "I had the opportunity to work with him while I was defensive coordinator at Auburn and it was apparent to me then, that James was going to be very successful at this level. He is a high-energy coach that relates well with the student-athletes."

During Willis' tenure at Auburn, he has helped the Tigers' defense finish seventh nationally in scoring defense in 2006 and sixth in 2007. He also coached one Freshman All-American, Tray Blackmon.

Willis played professionally for seven seasons in the National Football League for three organizations. The Huntsville, Ala., native earned a bachelor's of science degree from Auburn in 2003.

Yoxall, Lolley and Williams have all been associated with Auburn since 1999, while Perry joined the Auburn football program in 2000.