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AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn tight ends coach Larry Porter will take on duties as Auburn's special teams coordinator during the 2018 season, a person familiar with the decision informed Auburn Undercover Wednesday.

Auburn is set to begin spring practices Thursday at 4 p.m. CT.

Porter takes over the duties held last season by Tim Horton, who coached special teams after the departure of Scott Fountain following the 2016 season. Horton's special teams unit struggled in 2017, especially in punting and in the return units. Auburn ranked 115th nationally in net punting (35.61 yards) and struggled in the return game, ranking 51st in punt returns (8.5 yards).

Porter will coach tight ends and fullbacks, and will serve as the special teams coordinator when spring practices begin Thursday. Horton will coach punt returns, Porter will handle punters and kickoff returns, and linebackers coach Travis Williams will coach kickoffs, the person familiar with the decision told Auburn Undercover.

Porter coached special teams for three seasons at North Carolina. The Tar Heels ranked No. 1 nationally in punt return defense (0.22) and second in kickoff return average (26.97) in 2016.

Auburn loses its record-breaking kicker, Daniel Carlson, who holds the SEC career scoring record. He will likely be replaced by Anders Carlson, his youngest brother. Meanwhile, competition at punt and kick return is expected to be wide open, though receiver Ryan Davis could be heavily involved on punt return duties once again.

Ian Shannon and Aidan Marshall will continue to battle at punter, but newcomer Arryn Siposs is expected to be the frontrunner for the job when he arrives in the summer. The former professional Aussie rules football player earned a scholarship with Auburn and signed in February.

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