Auburn football coach Gene Chizik announced Tuesday that Phillip Lolley, the cornerbacks coach the past three seasons, will leave his field responsibilities and return to an administrative role within the program.

Lolley has been on Auburn's staff since 1999 and first coached cornerbacks under Tommy Tuberville from 2000 to '03.

"We appreciate Coach Lolley and the contributions he has made to the Auburn football program in his various roles over the years," Chizik said. "We look forward to him continuing to help with the program's success in his new capacity."

Lolley, 57, was North Jackson High School's head coach from 1988 to '98 and led the Chiefs to Alabama's 4A state title in '93. He came to Auburn as a conditioning coach, and he was the program's director of NFL relations before returning to the field in '09.

Chizik said the search for his replacement will begin immediately. Auburn hired former Georgia and Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder as its defensive coordinator last month.