Fall Check-In: Auburn Tigers

Our next Fall Check-in is with the Auburn Tigers and new Head Coach Britton Short. The Tigers are looking to get past the SELC quarterfinal hump in 2026.

To read the previous installments click here: You can read the earlier installments of the Fall Check-in series here: To read the prior installments of our Fall Check-in Series click here: Virginia Tech (DI), Florida Atlantic, Chapman, Montana, Washington,  Long Beach, Moorpark, Liberty, Arkansas

You’re taking over as Head Coach following the retirement of J.J. Arminio after serving as an assistant for a while, how has that transition gone so far?  What has it been like taking over the reins at your alma mater?

Britton Short: The transition has gone great, honestly! Definitely a few items/contacts here and there to learn/get to know but JJ has been great about helping not only myself, but the new officers with the transition as well. There have been some items I’ve definitely wanted to handle on my own, just so I know what to expect moving forward, but knowing I can call JJ if needed only gives me more confidence.

As for taking over at Auburn, it’s been incredible, maybe more surreal, at points, honestly. I am very excited to lead this program and these men and be able to put my own stamp on something that means so much to so many people. I’m literally getting to live out a lifelong dream of mine, everyday AND share it with my wife and 2 boys. What could top that? 

Last year’s team was fairly young with four of your top five scorers as freshmen and sophomores and two of your starting defensemen returning as well, have you noticed a change in the team with all of those guys adding a year of experience and presumably taking larger leadership roles?

BS: Yeah absolutely. I think we've got a few guys that have absolutely taken on a larger leadership role just through this first month of fall ball. Obviously, we’ve got a great group of officers, who all lead in their own, sometimes more experienced, way. But it’s been exciting to see some of the younger, 2nd year guys being vocal this fall and really buying in! The culture was in a great place coming into this season and we’re very excited to build on that foundation and add some tweaks of our own as well. 

You all have made the SELC tournament each of the last four seasons, but have lost in the quarterfinals each year.  What do you think needs to happen for the Tigers to get over the hump and advance to the semi-finals and potentially finals?

BS: This is a topic that has been a major focal point for the program, honestly the past few seasons. I think it’s a bit of a loaded question, right? Lots goes in to getting us over the hump, but I think ultimately, having everyone bought in on the same goal(s) I.e., working and communicating effectively together towards it, will only increase our chances. I think that for whatever reason we couldn’t put it all together, on the field, at the end of the year(s) and beat those teams, which are all incredible teams; And in some of those cases, internally, we felt like we didn’t play or coach our best, when the stakes were the highest. So, no question, I’ve got to do a great job of putting our team in the best position to be successful, especially at the end of the year! We’ve got some ideas cooking to shake it up a bit, but we’ll save that for the Spring! 

What are the schedule highlights?  Any big trips or visitors to Auburn?

BS:  So we’ve got some pretty exciting stuff on tap for the Spring of ‘26 season. We’re going to play South Carolina in a regular season rematch of our Quarterfinal game against them. We’ve got a neutral site game with TCU in Birmingham, that should be a great matchup. Also playing Ole Miss at home for the 1st time in recent memory. But probably the biggest “highlight trip” we’ve got this spring is a 4-team “long weekend” in Knoxville with Tennessee, Liberty and BYU. We’ll all play each other over 4 days, which is something I am very excited about. Some absolutely incredible competition with the past 2 national champions on the roster and a Tennessee program that’s made the National tournament each of those seasons. Competing in a setting that will give the guys in our program a taste of what it’s like should we make it to nationals (both from scheduling and competitive perspectives) is something that’s got a lot of the fellas excited for the season.  

Have any newcomers stood out so far in Fall Ball?  Any returners look poised for a breakout year?

BS: We’ve added some talented young guys this year from some incredible High School Programs from all over the country: Mater Dei (CA), Half Hollow Hills and St Anthony’s (NY),  Lambert (GA) and both Severn School and Archbishop Spalding (MD) are just a few of the schools where some of our new guys are hailing from. Not to mention, we’ve got the majority of our team returning from last season! I think we’ve got a lot of guys that are looking to build upon what they were able to accomplish last year, both from an individual perspective and what we did as a team, but probably just as many that are looking to make a name for themselves for the first time, as well! 

Thank you to Coach Short for taking the time to answer some questions.

Coaches, if you’re interested in participating in our Fall Check-In series, please email info@mcla.us.