Five months ago, Don Dunn wouldn’t have thought the choice between remaining at the high school level and getting another crack at Division I football would be a tough one.

But after a season coaching the defensive line at Auburn High, a season in which the Tigers advanced to the state semifinals and garnered their first top ranking in their history as a Class 6A program, Dunn felt otherwise when he got an offer from new Texas Tech coach Tommy
Tuberville.

“I’ve probably never had a year as fun as this past season,” Dunn said. “It made me a better coach and person being around Auburn High School. The administration, coaching staff and everyone was so great to me.

“But to get back at the Division I college level, I had to take it.”

Dunn said he accepted an administrative position on Tuberville’s defensive staff Wednesday afternoon.

“He made a tremendous difference in the kids,” Auburn High coach Tim Carter said. “We’ll continue to benefit from the time he spent here.”

Dunn also said Smiths Station passing coordinator Steve Ensminger took a similar position on the offensive side.

Both coaches were on Tuberville’s staff at Auburn University, Dunn from 1999 to 2008 and Ensminger from 2003 to 2008.

Dunn said he’s not yet sure what exactly his position entails, but that it isn’t exactly a coaching post.

“Legally (Ensminger and I) can’t be on the field, but I hope that eventually I can work into that,” Dunn said. “It helps get our foot in the door.”

Auburn High hired Dunn in early June, and the Tigers surrendered 11.4 points per game — its lowest total since 1995 — on their way to a 13-1 mark, a school record for wins.

Auburn’s line was especially stout, as the Tigers allowed 195 yards per game and tallied 100 tackles for loss.

Dunn said he notified the Auburn High coaches, administration and players of his decision Wednesday and Thursday.

“That was the first thing I did,” Dunn said. “I contacted (head coach) Tim Carter, (athletic director) Clay McCall, talked to the players. I did it the right way. I told them before I told anybody.”

Ensminger presided over a passing game that totaled 1,238 yards for the 2-8 Panthers this year.

Tuberville also hired James Willis, who coached linebackers under him from 2006 to 2008, as defensive coordinator last month.

Dunn said that his son, Jonathan, would remain in school at Auburn University and that he wouldn’t be selling his house in Auburn.

“I hope to someday come back and retire here,” he said. “It’s a great place to be.”

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