Tiger Prowl visits county schools

Published 10:24 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009

Auburn University football coaches piled into a stretch Hummer at the airport Thursday morning for the Birmingham edition of Tiger Prowl. Auburn assistants have been traveling the state in a limousine this week visiting schools in the major metro areas. The black Hummer was decked out with Auburn car magnets and window flags.

Thursday’s route began with a visit to Pelham High School to meet coaches and say hello to Auburn recruits Jake Holland and Nigel Terrell, who were both called of class for the visit.

“Before I went down there, everybody was like ‘Did you see the limo? Did you see the limo?’” said Terrell, who has been offered by Auburn but has not committed.

Terrell said he learned of the limo tour Sunday when he visited Auburn’s campus.

“These coaches are wild. I’ve been able to build a relationship with most of them. They’re pretty much a family there,” Terrell said. “I’ve never seen a college coaching staff travel as a whole group like that.”

Holland said he thinks the approach is effective.

“If I had not committed yet, it would make me feel good,” he said. “It let’s me know that these guys are committed to what they do, to take time to go as a coaching staff to schools together.”

After leaving Pelham, the Prowl continued to Springville High School, Hoover High, Spain Park, Jess Lanier and Bessemer Academy. The day ended with a coaching clinic and dinner hosted by the Spain Park administration and head coach David Shores.

“We’re very proud of our school and our facility, and any chance we get to showcase that we love to do it,” Shores said. “Having a new staff in the state and to be able to host them for a few hours was a great thing.”

Shores said more than 50 coaches from the Birmingham area attended the clinic, including assistants from Pelham and new Calera head coach Scott Martin. Shores attended the defensive side of the clinic.

“I was really impressed with Ted Roof and how he comes across and handles himself and his knowledge,” he said. “It was a super night.”

While the meeting and dinner took place, the limousine sat parked in front of Spain Park High School, having traveled more than 300 miles for the day, according to the Hummer’s driver.

Shores said the coaches stopped by earlier in the day to visit with defensive tackle Jeremiah Jackson and defensive back Wilson Robinson.

“I don’t think they (Jackson and Robinson) even knew they were coming,” Shores said. “Jeremiah’s eyes kind of lit up when he saw them all outside with our principal.”

Jackson has been verbally offered by Auburn, according to Shores.