Texas Longhorns Football: Auburn OL Coach Jeff Grimes in Austin To Interview

As reported by multiple sources, including the Austin American Statesman, Auburn offensive line coach Jeff Grimes has arrived in Austin to interview for the same position with the Texas Longhorns.

Grimes had been a part of speculation for the hire recently, along with other candidates, including Wisconsin's Bob Bostad and Oklahoma State's Joe Wickline.

Grimes is of particular interest to Texas not only due to his success with Auburn's recent national championship-winning offensive line, which helped Cam Newton to a Heisman trophy, but for two other prominent reasons.

First, and possibly foremost, is Jeff Grimes' connection to one of Texas' top recruits for 2011-2012, Arizona standout offensive tackle Christian Westerman.

Westerman, who has verbally committed to attend Texas, has recently taken visits to a couple of other schools including Auburn, as his commitment to Texas has come under scrutiny.

Making sure Westerman arrives on the Forty Acres is very important to Mack Brown and his staff, as he looks to be the primary piece in rebuilding the o-line back to the prominence it once enjoyed during the National Championship season of 2005.

Jeff Grimes would also be valuable to Texas from a recruiting perspective.

Grimes, a Garland native and University of Texas-El Paso graduate, has been successful in past positions in recruiting Texas, and has some established relationships with in-state coaches.

As we have seen in recent weeks, these types of ties have been important as a hiring criteria for other Texas staffers, including Bo Davis, Darrell Wyatt and Bennie Wiley. 

Coincidentally, Grimes was on the Boise State Broncos' staff prior to the beginning of the program's ascension into national prominence. Given this, it makes sense that new Texas co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin would have interest in adding Grimes to his staff.

Several factors suggested that Jeff Grimes would have been a quality candidate for the Texas offensive line coaching position. His arrival in Austin today confirms that this could be coming soon.