AUBURN | Gus Malzahn is in the market for a new offensive coordinator.

Rhett Lashlee, who has served as Auburn's offensive coordinator the past four seasons, has accepted the same position at Connecticut.

"Rhett has been a valuable asset to our program, helping Auburn to a national championship as a graduate assistant and another national championship appearance in 2013," Malzahn said in a statement. "Our offenses have achieved great success and he has been a big part of that. This is a great opportunity for Rhett to implement and run his own offense.

"I've known Rhett for two decades and he's a man of great character and integrity and this is another step towards his goal to become a head coach. I want to thank Rhett for all of his contributions and his friendship. I want to wish he and his wife Lauren all the best in this new endeavor."

Lashlee will join the staff of Randy Edsall, who was hired by UConn Dec. 30.

Lashlee played under Malzahn at Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale, Ark., and coached under him at Springdale (Ark.) High, Arkansas State and Auburn. Lashlee began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Arkansas. He was a GA at Auburn from 2009-10, offensive coordinator at Samford in 2011 and joined Malzahn as OC at Arkansas State in 2012.

“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve made, definitely in my professional career,” Lashlee told AuburnTigers.com. “Auburn’s very dear to us. I’ve spent a total of six years here, two different times. All four of our kids were born here. We just love everything about Auburn. The Auburn family is always going to be very dear to us and a part of us.

“The opportunity to work for Randy Edsall, who has had success at a high level and success at UConn, and just have the opportunity to run the offense, and that’s something he’s given me to do. I’m grateful for that.

“I’m obviously very close with Coach Malzahn. Our relationship will always be good. He’s been very supportive. I’m very appreciative to him for the opportunity he gave me at Auburn.”

Lashlee is the second coach to leave Auburn since the end of the season. Secondary coach Wesley McGriff accepted the defensive coordinator position at Ole Miss and Malzahn hired Missouri's Greg Brown to replace him.

Lashlee was a Broyles Award finalist in 2013 as Auburn's offense led the nation in rushing averaging 328.3 rushing yards per game, ranked 11th in total offense averaging 501.3 yards per game) and 12th in scoring offense averaging 39.5 points per game.

The recruiting dead period is set to end at midnight Wednesday. National Signing Day is Feb. 1.