“I mean, you can’t live with someone like Bruce and not understand the game, being around the game. I think that over the years as I’ve grown up and matured every year, I think I could tell you from the first time I met Steven, the same thing. I will say that about all the coaches on my staff as I watch them grow, and I think Steven has worked hard, and I think the fact that Auburn has given him this opportunity speaks volumes of what they think of him.
“Everyone knows, I mean, I know personally there’s three guys on our staff right now without question, maybe even four, maybe five, that if given the opportunity to be the coach here today, I think would be ready because of how much we have them involved in our program. And I think that Bruce, obviously over the last couple of years, probably didn’t make any decisions in the program that he didn’t sit down with Steven to talk about. This is something that I knew that he wanted and I’m happy for him. I’m happy for Steven. And there’s no doubt he’s going to continue to do a great job.”