Willis’ move to Alabama is a different stroke

By Ken Rogers

Published: January 22, 2009

I wasn’t there, so I don’t know.

But don’t you think Gene Chizik’s first reaction to James Willis’ departure for Alabama was, “What you talkin’ about, Willis?“

It’s not unprecedented, but movement between coaching staffs at these two schools is a, pardon me, different stroke.

Bill Oliver did it twice. He left Auburn for Alabama in 1970, then returned to the Tigers from Tuscaloosa in 1996.

Paul Davis left Auburn for Bear Bryant’s staff in 1980.

And now Willis, who is the only Auburn alumnus to go directly from Auburn’s staff to Alabama’s.

Several coaches, of course, have coached at both places, including Pat Dye and Tommy Bowden. But only these few went from one to the other. Trivia fans will note that Neil Callaway coached for both in consecutive years, but he moved to Kentucky with Bill Curry before joining Auburn’s staff in time for the next season.