Despite a disappointing 7-6 2015 season, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn is optimistic about the ’16 campaign, and a big reason for that is his coaching staff.

“We’ve got a good talent base with the way we’ve recruited in the last four classes and the character of our team is very high,” Malzahn told a crowd of AU fans on the Huntsville, Ala. stop of Tiger Trek. “And I look at this staff – this is a great staff and I need to keep this group together. Offensively, every coach has coached with me a long period of time in this offense or played for me. And with Coach Steele’s leadership, our defensive staff is all going the same direction.”

Continuity would be a welcome change on the Plains. Since the completion of the ’15 season, Auburn has seen five assistants depart for new jobs, including former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp (South Carolina head coach) and ace recruiters Travaris Robinson (South Carolina defensive coordinator) and Dameyune Craig (LSU wide receivers coach).

Kevin Steele, Auburn’s third defensive coordinator of the Malzahn era, is well versed in the SEC West. Last season, Steele served as LSU’s defensive coordinator, and prior to that he had two stints on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama (’07-’08, ’13-’14).

Joining Steele on the staff are newcomers Travis Williams (linebackers), Kodi Burns (receivers), Wesley McGriff (secondary, co-defensive coordinator) and Herb Hand (offensive line). Most are familiar with Auburn or Malzahn from prior experience. Williams and Burns both played for the Tigers, while Hand previously coached with Malzahn at Tulsa.

Malzahn also discussed the quarterback situation while in Huntsville, saying it’s hard to find separation between the three signal-callers.

“John Franklin, our junior college player who came in, is still learning the offense,” Malzahn said. “But he is talented and he wants to be good. Our two older guys (Jeremy Johnson and Sean White) have a lot of experience in our offense and both of those guys improved and both played very well at times during the spring.”