Rob Aurich to interview for SDSU’s vacant defensive coordinator position
SDSU EDGEs coach Rob Aurich. (Credit: SDSU Athletics)
San Diego State football needs a defensive coordinator.
Late Sunday night, the University of North Dakota announced they hired Eric Schmidt away from SDSU to be the program’s new head coach. Schmidt spent just one season on The Mesa. His departure opens up an important vacancy in head coach Sean Lewis’ staff.
The best candidate for the position might already be on campus. EDGE coach Rob Aurich has experience as a defensive coordinator. Sources indicated that Aurich would be interviewing for the job.
Before coming to SDSU, Aurich led the University of Idaho’s defense for two seasons. He inherited a group that gave up 31.55 points per game. In his two years, the Vandals improved that mark to 25.42 in 2022 and 22.08 in 2023.
This week, a handful of last season’s defensive stalwarts indicated their intention to return to the Aztecs. A separate source revealed that the athletes did not know about Schmidt’s departure when making their decisions. EDGE Trey White, who worked under Aurich, praised his position coach and listed him as one of the reasons he wanted to stay at SDSU.
“Coach Aurich is a great coach,” White said last week. “He’s developed me to what I am right now and I know he can grow me beyond what I know I can achieve. I’m excited to be under his wing and learning from him again next year.”
Continuity is another factor working in Aurich’s favor. He ran a similar 4-2-5 scheme at Idaho.
No one knows the Red and Black’s personnel better than the coaches on staff. As an insider, Aurich understands why the Aztecs’ defense struggled down the stretch, how the scheme was installed, and what Schmidt’s plan would have been for year two in his system.
Multiple sources have privately indicated what Lewis repeatedly said publicly: SDSU was a disconnected in 2024. This was not altogether surprising, given all the new players and approaches to winning. Aurich offers Lewis the possibility of building off last year instead of starting from scratch.
My earliest sport’s memory involve tailgating at the Murph, running down the circular exit ramps, and seeing the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs play. As a second generation Aztec, I am passionate about all things SDSU. Other interests include raising my four children, being a great husband and teaching high school.