AUBURN, Alabama—For the third time in the last four seasons the Auburn Tigers will have a new offensive line coach when Gus Malzahn’s team lines up against Alcorn State on Sept. 5 with veteran J.B. Grimes deciding to step away from the program following the 2019 season to pursue other opportunities, sources tell Inside The Auburn Tigers.

“J.B. has decided to move on and pursue other opportunities," Malzahn confirmed. "I appreciate everything he’s done for Auburn. J.B. and his wife Jennifer will always be a part of the Auburn family.”



Malzahn will now look for a replacement while Auburn also has to replace senior starters Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., Marquel Harrell, Mike Horton and Jack Driscoll on the offensive line heading into next year along with seniors Kaleb Kim and Bailey Sharp. With only Nick Brahms returning with starting experience, Auburn's offensive line is going to have a very different look next season.

A coaching veteran of more than 30 years, Grimes spent the last two seasons at Auburn after coaching with the Tigers from 2013-15. Grimes coached in 2016 at UConn before going to the University of Cincinnati for the 2017 season.

First coming to Auburn for the 2013 season, Grimes helped the Tigers lead the nation in rushing yards at 328.3 yards per game behind the play of first round tackle Greg Robinson and Rimington Award finalist Reese Dismukes. Paving the way for Tre Mason to earn a spot in the Heisman Trophy final group, the offensive line also allowed just 1.29 sacks per game that season.

J.B. Grimes is done with his second run as an Auburn coach.

The 2014 offensive line helped the Tigers lead the SEC in third-down conversion percentage (.525) and team passing efficiency (156.79) while the Tigers were second in team rushing (255.5), total offense (485.0) and yards per completion (14.35). Cameron Artis-Payne led the SEC in rushing at 123.7 yards per game and joined Tre Mason, Bo Jackson, Rudi Johnson and Cam Newton as the only rushers in Auburn history to post a 1,400-yard season.

Nick Marshall posted a school quarterback record eight career 100-yard rushing games and finished second in Auburn career QB rushing at 1,863 yards. Marshall was the fifth Auburn quarterback to throw 20 touchdown passes in a season, joining Cam Newton (30/2010), Chris Todd (22/2009), Jason Campbell (20/2004) and Pat Sullivan (20/1971).

Despite some struggles on offense this past season, Auburn’s offensive line finished the year graded 28th nationally by ProFootballFocus for its play with guard Harrell the top player, according to the PFF ratings. Auburn allowed just 48 total pressures this season, the third-fewest among all teams in the country.

The issue came in the running game where the Tigers averaged 199.8 yards per game this season, but only 130.2 yards against ranked teams. The Tigers finished the season on New Year's Day with just 56 yards in a loss to Minnesota in the Outback Bowl.

*** Subscribe: Receive the latest Auburn intel and scoops***

Subscribe to Inside the Auburn Tigers Magazine and Football Newsletter