A widely reported move became official on Thursday afternoon when Auburn announced Tracy Rocker as its new defensive line coach on Bryan Harsin’s staff.

An Auburn alumnus and a former Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner, Rocker is returning to the program, the school announced. Rocker, who coached the defensive line at Auburn from 2009-10, a national championship season, has 20-plus years of experience coaching collegiately and professionally.

“Tracy Rocker is one of Auburn’s all-time great players and has a wealth of experience coaching and in the Southeastern Conference,” Harsin said. “He understands what a championship team looks like and knows what it takes to be successful at the highest level. We’re excited to welcome back Tracy to the Auburn family.”

Rocker spent the 2020 season at South Carolina after two seasons (2018-19) at Tennessee. He has also worked at Georgia (2014-16), Auburn (2009-10), Ole Miss (2008), Arkansas (2003-07), Cincinnati (2002), and Troy State (1997-01). In addition, he spent three seasons with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans (2011-13).

“I’m excited about coming back to Auburn to work with Coach Harsin and the staff he has put together,” Rocker said. “In my visits with Coach Harsin, he has shared a clear vision for the program and I’m looking forward to helping put that vision in place. I have great memories as a player and coach at Auburn and can’t wait to create more in the future.”