Auburn’s Gran an underrated Tiger

By Robert Rousseau  |   Tuesday, April 22, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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There will be loads of articles written about Auburn Tigers head coach Tommy Tuberville between now and when the 2008-09 season starts. There will also be several penned on their new coordinators, Tony Franklin and Paul Rhoads. But how many articles do you think will focus on running backs and special teams coach Eddie Gran?

Not many, which is unfortunate.

Everyone knows the Tigers have become known as a running back factory over the years. The list of quality backs who have come from the program is amazing. Of course, in order for a tradition of excellence like this to continue, the right coaches have to be in place.

Tuberville has been a constant with the club since 1999, even if coordinators have changed some. Far less talked about is the fact that Gran -- also a special teams coach -- has also been with the Tigers since then.

More specifically, Gran was manning the running back helm for the Tigers when Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was named an All-American in 2004. Gran was also the one who helped Williams and backfield mate Ronnie Brown become first-round draft choices in the NFL the next April. Further, Gran had a say in the upbringing of All-SEC backs like Kenny Irons (2005, '06) and Rudi Johnson (2000), not to mention that he headed Ole Miss’s backs when Deuce McAllister was suiting up for them.

This former wide receiver for California Lutheran simply knows how to coach running backs, just as some of those in the same position did before him. He’s even been instrumental in helping special teamers like kicker John Vaughn and punter Kody Bliss to improve their skills and help the club win.

Clearly, Gran deserves some notoriety. Is he the sole reason why Auburn is known for producing quality running backs? Of course not. But he sure has helped keep the whole "Running Back U." thing going.

Here’s looking forward to seeing what Gran can do with guys like Ben Tate, Mario Fannin, and Brad Lester in a new offense.





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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or...
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