BENTONVILLE -- Rob Coleman couldn't pass up the opportunity to work at a major college football program and reunite with a longtime friend.
Coleman, an assistant coach at Bentonville for the past nine years, resigned his position to become an analyst at Auburn. He will be rejoined with Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn, whom Coleman worked with while they were at their first coaching job in Hughes during the early 1990s.
"It's really hard to leave Bentonville," Coleman said. "I told Gus I was leaving the best high school job in the state. I think, though, most high school coaches would like to have a shot at the big time. Auburn is as big as it can get, being in the SEC West, so it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
"I'm excited about it, but I'm also a little apprehensive. I've been a high school coach for 25 years, and now I'm about to go off the field and see a different perspective of it."
Coleman said he will serve as an assistant to one of Auburn's assistant coaches. His new duties, which he begins Sunday, include helping coaches break down Auburn's game film, as well as Tigers' recruits. He will also be responsible for checking up on players when that assistant coach is away from campus.
Coleman coached outside linebackers during his entire nine years at Bentonville. He also served previous stints at Hughes, Vilonia Junior High, Pulaski Oak Grove (now Maumelle), Shiloh Christian and Springdale High.
"It's bittersweet because Rob is one of my dearest friends," Bentonville coach Jody Grant said. "I've had a lot of talks with him about this move. You hate to lose a quality coach, but you want your guys to go and take greater challenges. This will be great for him and our program to lose a coach to the SEC."
Grant said he would meet with athletic director Scott Passmore in the near future about finding an assistant coach to replace Coleman.
Sports on 01/16/2016