AUBURN — Auburn football safeties coach Zac Etheridge has become the second former player to announce his resignation from coach Hugh Freeze's staff.

After Cadillac Williams released a statement late Thursday evening declaring that he would be moving on, Etheridge joined him Friday morning: "I want to thank the entire Auburn family for the last three years," Etheridge wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "It's been a dream coaching at my alma mater, but I'm excited and ready for the next chapter to further my career. I love Auburn with all my heart and have no doubt that the program will flourish under coach Freeze's leadership.

"Above all, I want to say thank you to my players. It's truly been an honor and a blessing to develop Auburn men on and off the field while building lifelong relationships. I am and always will be an Auburn Tiger."

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Etheridge, who is heading to Houston, according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, has been been at Auburn for the last three seasons, hired by former coach Bryan Harsin in 2021. He, along with Williams, were the lone retentions among on-field assistants on Freeze's inaugural staff with the Tigers.

“Auburn football would like to thank Zac for his contributions to the program the last three years,” Freeze said in a statement. “He played a vital role in establishing the foundation of the future. Zac is a relentless recruiter and tireless worker who has a bright future in this profession. I look forward to watching his career develop and wish him nothing but the best.”

The 35-year-old Etheridge, who played for the Tigers from 2007-10 and helped Auburn win a national championship his senior season, totaled 261 tackles in his career to go along with four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Etheridge suffered a serious neck injury against Ole Miss on Oct. 31, 2009, that left him motionless on the field. After surgery and months of recovery, he returned and racked up 69 tackles as a senior.

Senior standout Keionte Scott reacted to the news Friday: "Love you coach thank you for everything we locked in 4L (for life)," he wrote on X. Scott turned down an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and is back at Auburn for one more season after flirting with the transfer portal.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Zac Etheridge joins Cadillac Williams in leaving Auburn football