AUBURN -- Gus Malzahn earned the Auburn job with a studious, introspective and shrewd approach toward the task of revitalizing the Tigers' program.

His candidacy seemed like a stretch initially.

His hire took many people by surprise.

Still, is anyone surprised these days? Malzahn has turned his first month on the job into a textbook implementation of revised strategy. And it all started with remarkable success building the staff he wanted.

Ellis Johnson and Rhett Lashlee were hired almost immediately. Charlie Harbison, whom everyone knows as "Cheese," was brought in a few days later to augment the Tigers' recruiting effort and provide Southeastern Conference experience in the secondary. Those three along with Malzahn instantly became the face of the new-look Tigers - and provided a meaningful foundation for what was to come.

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