UNDATED (AP) - Though rivals, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville and Mississippi's Ed Orgeron are good friends.

Their friendship dates to time together at Miami, where they were members of the defensive staff during some of the Hurricanes' most successful years.

Orgeron says they learned a lot of football together.

Orgeron, whose Rebels hope to turn around a dismal season at Auburn after losing six of their last seven, began as a graduate assistant under Jimmy Johnson in 1988 at the same time Tuberville was a volunteer assistant.

The next year Tuberville was hired as linebackers coach and Orgeron became the defensive line coach. When Johnson left and Dennis Erickson was hired, Tuberville became defensive coordinator and kept Orgeron as his line coach.

That Tuberville was Ole Miss coach from 1995 to 1998 only strengthens their bond.

Tuberville said he and Ed have been friends for a long time and they talk about situations quite a bit during the offseason.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)