Auburn Reportedly Hires Bobby Bentley as Offensive Analyst

Auburn has reportedly hired Bobby Bentley, a high school coaching legend from the state of South Carolina and the former head coach at FCS Presbyterian University, as an offensive analyst.

Bentley confirmed the news in a statement released by Spartanburg District Five (via Joel Erickson of AL.com):

"

I will be joining the football staff at Auburn University as an offensive analyst working with the quarterbacks. It will be an honor to work with the SEC Champions and work alongside Coach Gus Malzahn.

Coach Malzahn is a godly leader, and the opportunity was too good to turn down.

"

Bentley built a dynasty at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C., coaching the Rebels at first from 1995-2006 and leading them to four consecutive state titles between 2002 and 2005, according to Kevin Melton of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

The team had a 57-2 record during the title streak.

After leaving the team for two years to coach at Presbyterian, his alma mater, in 2007 and 2008, Bentley returned to Byrnes for one season in 2013 and led it to a 12-2 record and Region II-4A title. It eventually lost in the 4A Division I state semifinal.

Per Melton, Bentley is a longtime friend of current Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn—who also whet his blade for years in the high school ranks—and was offered the job of quarterbacks coach at Auburn when Malzahn took over the team in 2012, but he turned it down.

Because of Bentley's offensive track record and friendship with Malzahn, some like Paul Strelow of Rivals.com think he might even be groomed for a bigger role:

Bentley also has a son, Jake, who is a 6'4'' quarterback prospect in the class of 2017. Though high school sophomores have yet rated by 247Sports, the site's Director of Scouting, JC Shurburtt, says that he projects as one of the top QBs in the class.

Auburn has already offered Jake a scholarship, and the presence of his father at the school—if Bentley stays that long—will surely play a role in his recruitment.

Follow Brian Leigh @BLeighDAT