One more reason why the OA News is trash now

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Auburn introduces new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele on Tuesday, Jan 5, 2016 in Auburn.

Sometimes a no comment is heard louder than any answer that could have been given.

Or on Tuesday at the Auburn Athletic Complex, it was the no chance for the no comment from Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn that spoke louder than any words new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele could say.

And he said a lot that would get Auburn fans excited. He talked about Auburn tradition, how he wants this to be his last job and his memories of watching Pat Sullivan play when he was in his youth.

However, that’s not what stuck out on Tuesday.

Here’s the quick version of how Tuesday went:

Gus Malzahn gives brief statement at the podium saying why Steele was “the guy.”

Steele gets to podium. Gives a few funny answers. Deflects all questions about his contract and the future defensive coaching staff to Malzahn. Says he wants this to be his last job. Says all the “right” things as any new hire should.

Malzahn walks … out the door.

Not to the podium to take questions. Not even to take the two specific questions that Steele deflected to Malzahn during his time at the podium which were:

“Have you made any decisions about your staff and who you will bring with you?”

“How long-term is the deal (contract)?”

Then there are the questions that more than likely would have been asked by the media if the chance would have been given:

“Why did the search take so long?”

“Were any of the reports true of candidates who turned down the offer/job?”

“Did you see Will Muschamp really leaving after one year?”

“Did you try and hire Travaris Robinson?”

“Will Rodney Garner (the only remaining position coach left on defense) still have a job?”

And those are just a few off the top of my head and questions that have been asked around the media room.

Malzahn has never been open with the media. That is no secret to anyone who follows the Auburn football program. However, he’s one of the best at having his one good, solid go-to statements about a certain situation.

He could have had that on Tuesday. He could have stuck with his opening statement of “We got the right guy,” and “I was looking for stability, someone who would be here for awhile to have a chance to build our defense into something special.”

At least then, he would’ve taken the questions and stood in front of the media and faced the questions that fans and media types have been speculating about for weeks.

But no — there were no questions. There were no answers. There’s now just more speculation. And now people will not only speculate on the time leading up to the hire, but the hire itself and why questions weren’t answered.

Other omissions that were very evident from Tuesday’s press conference:

>> The absence of Athletic Director Jay Jacobs.

>> The absence of any other football coaches.

>> The lack of any heavy presence of Auburn athletic administration being there in a sign of support (there was that for the hiring of Muschamp and baseball coach Butch Thompson).

>> The absence of a handshake between Malzahn and Steele.

Yes, I could be making a mountain out of a mole hill or something out of nothing or whatever your favorite phrase is for this situation. And if just one of the above happened, I probably wouldn’t think too much about it.

But between the lack of commenting and answer-giving, the lack of people in attendance and the lack of information provided, well, it allows my mind to speculate.

However, all of this could be forgotten next month if Steele is able to bring in a solid defensive recruiting class. It will be more than forgotten if the team shows progress during the spring game. And it could be completely in the past if, when the season opens against Clemson (which at the time will either be the National Champion or the runner-up) Auburn’s defense stifles the Tigers from South Carolina.

But until then, we can speculate and assume — which is something that wouldn’t happen if questions were answered on Tuesday.

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