Samford play signs feature Rhett Lashlee, Gus Malzahn

AUBURN -- In a display part comedic showmanship and part homage to a former coach, Samford utilized play signs featuring Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee during Saturday's game.

One sign had four images: Lashlee, then a quarterback at Shiloh Christian High School, with his then-coach Gus Malzahn in 1998, Lashlee as Samford's offensive coordinator while playing at Auburn in 2011, Lashlee at what appeared to be an Auburn basketball game and Lashlee in his least flattering spot, sliding to a fall on the sidelines at Mississippi State.

Auburn utilizes play signs as part of Malzahn's offense but none are believed to ever feature an opposing coach.

Malzahn said he had "no idea" about the signs.

Samford coach and Auburn legend Pat Sullivan served on the committee that hired Malzahn in Dec. 2012.