BY AARON BRENNER | abrenner@ledger-enquirer.com
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football released its official spring practice schedule Friday, illustrating greater access to head coach comments and limited visuals as compared to a year ago.
While none of the 14 practices leading up to A-Day on April 20 will be open to the public, all sessions will allow reporter viewing for 30 minutes at the start of each practice. These time slots typically include warmups, stretching and a few individual positional drills, and not much scheming or playbook depth.
The Tigers will have a specific rhythm, opening practice Wednesday, March 27 and continuing each Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday for the next three weeks and change. Sessions will begin at 8 a.m. CT during the week on the practice fields and around 10 a.m. on Saturdays at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn will engage in practices on back-to-back days four times. The Tigers will not have consecutive days off for a 25-day period.
Last spring’s workouts under former head coach Gene Chizik only allowed cameras in about once a week – cameras will be permitted at all 2013 sessions.
Head coach Gus Malzahn is scheduled to speak with reporters no less than 13 times in a month, beginning with a pre-spring press conference Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT to preview spring. Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and selected players are also expected to give routine post-practice reports.
A-Day kicks off at 1 p.m. CT, April 20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The scrimmage will be televised by CSS, with the final rolling of Toomer’s Oaks to follow.
PRACTICE DATES (and who talks afterward)
Wednesday, March 27 | Malzahn, players
Friday, March 29 | Malzahn, coordinators
Saturday, March 30 | Malzahn, players
Monday, April 1 | Malzahn, players
Wednesday, April 3 | Malzahn, players
Friday, April 5 | Coordinators
Saturday, April 6 | Malzahn, players
Monday, April 8 | Malzahn, players
Wednesday, April 10 | Malzahn, players
Friday, April 12 | Coordinators
Saturday, April 13 | Malzahn, players
Monday, April 15 | Malzahn, players
Wednesday, April 17 | Malzahn, players
Friday, April 19 | TBD
Monday, April 20 | A-Day, Jordan-Hare Stadium