For the second time in a span of 24 hours, Alabama learned that an assistant is on the move. Outside linebackers coach Lance Thompson is heading to Auburn, where he will hold the same position.

Along with the departure of inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele to another SEC West rival in LSU, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has work to do retooling his defensive staff.

But for Auburn and its new defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, the hiring of Thompson yields one of the SEC’s longest-tenured coaches and most successful recruiters.

There’s also a good level of familiarity as Muschamp and Thompson were assistants at LSU in 2002-03.

“I'm really excited and very appreciative to be joining the Auburn football family and work with Coach [Gus] Malzahn, Coach Muschamp and the entire staff," Thompson said in a statement. "I have a great amount of respect for Coach Malzahn and what he represents and what he has accomplished in a short period of time. I hope to bring my strengths to the program to help Auburn football achieve its goals of winning a national championship.”

Together with Muschamp and former Florida assistant Travaris Robinson, Auburn has hired three defensive assistant coaches since the end of the regular season.

Alabama, meanwhile, is left to pick up the pieces.

But with defensive coordinator Kirby Smart able to coach both the secondary and linebackers, Saban has options to pursue a coach at either position. There’s also the possibility of moving Tosh Lupoi on the field from his position as a “intern,” as Saban described his role after being brought on from Washington where he coached the defensive line and was defensive run coordinator.