Auburn hired Memphis offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham to become its new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, per a release from the school.
The news was first reported by Jason Caldwell of Scout.
Dillingham reportedly has a two-year contract, a source confirmed to AL.com’s Tom Green.
Dillingham just finished his third season with Memphis, and is very young. He started as a graduate assistant with the Memphis Tigers in 2016, primarily working with the team’s quarterbacks.
Chip Lindsey left Auburn’s position as offensive coordinator last week for the same job at Kansas. Auburn had reportedly offered the job to South Carolina running backs coach Bobby Bentley, per 247sports, but he passed on the opportunity.
The release noted that Malzahn will be the primary play-caller on offense, a role that Lindsey held during his tenure. Memphis head coach Mike Norvell called offensive plays, so the setup will be similar in Dillingham’s new job. Kodi Burns will add the role of passing game coordinator to his duties.
“Kenny is one of the rising stars in our profession, coaching two Top 10 nationally ranked offenses the last two years,” Malzahn said in the release. “Because of Kenny’s energy, intelligence and genuine care for his players, he’s been highly successful coaching quarterbacks and is an outstanding recruiter, while working closely with Mike Norvell in developing one of the nation’s top offenses.”
Prior to working at Memphis, Dillingham spent two seasons as an offensive assistant at Arizona State. From 2007-12, he worked with a high school program in Arizona. He is 28 years old.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join one of the nation’s top football programs and work for Coach Malzahn, who has won a national championship and produced some of the top offenses in Southeastern Conference history,” Dillingham said in the press release. “Coach Norvell speaks very highly of Coach Malzahn and the similarities of how both offenses work. Auburn is a great university and community and my wife and I are extremely excited. I can’t wait to learn and add to the future successes of the Auburn football program.”
AL.com reporter Tom Green contributed to this report.