
Chad Lunsford, a former Auburn football staff member and head coach at Georgia Southern, has been appointed as Auburn’s new special teams coordinator, head coach Hugh Freeze announced on Friday. Lunsford, who worked at Auburn from 2009 to 2013 as the director of player personnel and scouting, spent the next nine years at Georgia Southern, including three seasons as head coach.
“Chad has been a successful special teams coach and a college head coach, and his experience will strengthen our special teams unit,” Freeze said. “We’re excited to welcome Chad and his family back to Auburn.”
Lunsford most recently served as associate head coach at Florida Atlantic, where he was also the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for three seasons. He joined FAU in February 2022 and was promoted to associate head coach in January 2023. During the final two games of the 2024 season, he acted as interim head coach.
“My family and I are thrilled to return to Auburn,” Lunsford said. “We’re incredibly grateful to Coach Freeze and the Auburn family for this opportunity. Auburn is a special place to us, and we can’t wait to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. We’re ready to get started. War Eagle!”

At FAU, Lunsford worked with a tight ends group that had no collegiate starting experience, helping them contribute to the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher in three years and strong pass protection. On special teams, he developed a unit with several new starters, including an Australian punter who earned Freshman All-American honors. Under his guidance, kicker Morgan Suarez ranked among the nation’s best in field goal percentage and punter Riley Thompson averaged 45.4 yards per punt, ranking second in Conference USA and 12th nationally. In 2023, FAU’s punt return unit jumped 28 spots to rank No. 4 nationally, and kick return improved by 36 spots. Punt returner LaJohntay Wester earned First Team All-American honors and was named AAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Lunsford’s coaching career began at Georgia Southern in 2013 as wide receivers coach. He eventually became head coach in 2017, leading the Eagles to three bowl appearances, including two wins, in his first three years. His first season was particularly successful, with a 10-win record and a bowl victory, earning him Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors. Lunsford’s tenure at Georgia Southern also saw significant player development, with 12 players earning all-conference recognition and two selected in the NFL Draft.
In addition to his work with wide receivers, Lunsford also served as tight ends coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Georgia Southern, where he was known for his strong recruiting efforts. The 2018 recruiting class he helped build was ranked as the best in the Sun Belt by 247Sports.
Before his time at Georgia Southern, Lunsford worked in various coaching roles, including at Griffin High School and Georgia Military College, where he also served as special teams coordinator.
A native of Elberton, Georgia, Lunsford graduated from Georgia College in 2000 and earned a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy in 2002. He and his wife Tiffany, along with their three children, are excited to return to Auburn.