… Rhett Lashlee.
You never heard of him??? Shame on you.
Rhett served as Gus’s OC at ASU. He is an up and comer. He has a great reputation. And he is a hard worker.
He is a whopping 29 years old. He spent the 2009 and 2010 season at Auburn, where he served as offensive graduate assistant under Gus Malzahn. He also collaborated with Malzahn at Arkansas in 2006 and again last season in Jonesboro.
Does his relationship go back further? Why yes, WDE1988… it does!
He also played quarterback for Malzahn at Shiloh Chrisitan in Springdale, Ark.
Lashlee earned his first full-time job at Samford in 2011, when he helped the Bulldogs raise their points-per-game average from 17 to 28.
New development: Ryan Russell has been hired as the Tigers’ new strength and conditioning coach.
He also has Auburn ties — having served as an intern under Kevin Yoxall in 2005 and 2006. Russell has been a full-time assistant at both Boise State and Arkansas State since then.
Are we getting a bit of bacon flavor at AU? Looks that way.
I sorta think all this backwoods flavor might make Coach Tubs want to come home. All you would have to do is say Duck Hunting… or Texas A&M… and he would be back in flash.
What do you think? And I mean of the new developments… not my demented sense of humor. 
WDE
Big shocker there. Thats his protege from back to high school coaching. Gus’ offense will definately be run. Now on to the skill positions.
I like the way Gus is putting his guys in place to make AU successful. Here is alook at what Ryan Russell is all about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45dQv-ZrWus
Do you think might have learned a thing or two about fast paced offenses at Boise State?
Speed, strength, conditioning, discipline, accountability. I’m on that bus.
Guys — Ryan Russell is the strength coach. He will have nothing whatsoever to do with the way the offense or defense is run.
don’t you think the players wil have to be in tip top shape in order to run the fast paced type of football Gus runs, and who do you think is going to be responsible for getting them into that type of shape, Ryan Russell thats who.
I think we may be on the verge of a hybrid Smurf Turf / Fun and Gun offensive onslaught.
KB, AUBFANMAN or ACID… whomever added the picture… thank you.
Respectfully,
WDE1988
I likey! I was hoping for Lashlee to get a call when Gus left. I think this year would have played out much differently and maybe Gene would still be in place and we would be going to a bowl… Water under the bridge…
With their experience together, I’m sure Gus and Rhett will make eye contact on the sideline and without a word, knod their heads and smile…
Long standing chemistry between the two coaches will be a major advantage I’m sure, but I believe Gus is also sending a signal putting in the young OC, and that is,”this is MY offense, the kid does what I tell him to.”
Just a question:
Do you think Gene Chizik had the same kind of relationship with Loeffler?
I mean… said another way… would you say that offense belonged to Chizik?
WDE
From the way things have been said about how the whole thing went down, both sides of the ball were Chizik’s. It seems as though the only one that wasn’t his was Boulware from ISU. Strange, at that point wasn’t Boulware the only guy left from ISU that Chizik brought with him?
Does anyone think that Lashlee looks like a Gus Mini-me?… Well I mean he’s taller but you know what I mean.. just put some glasses on the kid and there ya go.
Yep. Heard the other day that his starting salary at ASU was $90,000… and at AU his salary will be $350,000. Big pay increase. And if he can produce… that amount will only rise.
WDE