Jermaine Whitehead not playing defense a 'personal decision' by Gus Malzahn

AUBURN – Jermaine Whitehead's suspension, reinstatement, and subsequent special teams-only play has all been head coach prerogative.

Asked why Whitehead, who was reinstated on Oct. 21 after a monthlong suspension, was allowed to rejoin the team at all if there was never a way for him to play defense, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn would not explain the thought process.

"That's a personal decision the head coach makes," Malzahn said. "That's the decision I made."

Whitehead was suspended for four games after a reported verbal altercation with an assistant coach. The safety played only on kickoff returns in the last two games as part of his punishment.

A 5-foot-11 193 pound senior, Whitehead started 28 straight games prior to his suspension. He has 12 tackles and two interceptions this season, including a 33-yard interception return for touchdown against Arkansas.

Whitehead has not been available for interviews since the incident.

Auburn's secondary has struggled with miscommunication the past two games in part to due to inexperience without Whitehead, who handled the calls in the defensive backfield.

The Tigers have a three-man rotation at safety with Johnathan Ford, who has started all eight games this season, Josh Holsey and Derrick Moncrief, who made his starting debut last week.

"We've got confidence in everybody we put out there," Malzahn said. "We feel like we've got three guys back there that can get the job done."

Moncrief, the Prattville native, had a career-high six tackles and forced a fumble against Ole Miss, while Holsey had just one tackle.

Malzahn said it was "possible" for Holsey, who played sparingly at Ole Miss, to play more this week.

"He's had a solid week of practice," Malzahn said. "So, we'll see once we get out there."