It is merely a bunch of interesting names I've seen bandied about the last couple days and reasons these coaches may or may not want the job.
Read at your own risk and draw your own conclusions.
Will Muschamp, Texas defensive coordinator: The former Auburn
assistant was recently named as Mack Brown's head coach-in-waiting at Texas, where he is in his first year. That assured him a hefty pay bump ($900,000/year) and the assurance that he could take over one of the most storied programs in the nation. But Brown has said he's not close to retiring, so Muschamp might have to wait a while to wear the crown. Auburn would give him a opportunity right away.Mike Leach, Texas Tech head coach: The Air Raid innovator has already
visited with Washington and reportedly has had contact with somebody from Auburn. He's out there (I highly recommend reading this New York Times magazine piece by "Moneyball" author Michael Lewis about Leach's unique personality, including his fascination with pirates), but he's also an offensive genius. If a program is interested in offense, he's the man (and Donald Trump will vouch for him). The question is if his quirks will fly in a rabid football conference like the SEC.Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech head coach: On the other end of the
offensive spectrum is Johnson, the former Navy head man whose triple option flexbone harkens back to Auburn's days as a storied running power (which wasn't that long ago if you think about it). The offense has worked in the ACC, which, despite the lack of a clear national title contender, is a defensive-minded conference that is tough top to bottom. Johnson is in the first year of a 7-year, $11 million contract with the Yellow Jackets. A move to Auburn could mean a big pay bump.Jimbo Fisher,
Florida State offensive coordinator: Another head coach-in-waiting, Fisher has been named the successor to legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, who, despite being 79 years old, doesn't appear like he's ever going to step aside. Fisher was once an Auburn assistant, coaching quarterbacks from 1993-98 under Terry Bowden. He's another strong offensive mind, but he has a $2.5 million buyout to his coach-in-waiting clause. Would Auburn, which would likely have to pay a portion of that, want to spend even more cash than it already is in this process.Bobby Petrino, Arkansas head coach: Don't laugh. OK, laugh. But Petrino once expressed a
desire to coach on the Plains and still might. He's got a wandering eye. We know that. It's in his character. And though he has a no-compete clause with any school in the SEC West, as we've seen time and time again in college football, contracts are meant to be broken. As a college coach, Petrino's success is beyond reproach. He is 46-16 at Louisville and Arkansas. It would likely take a lot of cash. Petrino's contract at Arkansas pays him $2.85 million a year.Turner Gill, Buffalo head coach: One of the up-and
-comers in the coaching profession, Gill has taken an unwinnable situation at Buffalo and made it tenable. The 46-year-old Gill is 14-21 with the Bulls but went 7-5 this year, leading the school to what will be its first bowl appearance in school history. Gill has good lineage, having played and coach under famed Nebraska coach Tom Osborne. If Auburn is looking to get in on the ground floor of a rising star, Gill could be the guy.Brian Kelly, Cincinnati head coach: Kelly is one of the hot names on the coaching market right now, rumored to have been
in contention at Notre Dame if it decided to cut ties with Charlie Weis. The 47-year-old recently said he was happy at Cincinnati, which has pledged to upgrade its stadium and practice facilities. But that kind of promise -- from both sides -- rarely holds any water in college football. Kelly is157-56-2 in a 19-year coaching career that has spanned three schools -- Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati. He led the Bearcats to their first outright Big East title this season.Those are some of the main names that have been out there, even though some of them are a little far-fetched (Muschamp and Petrino especially).
Any other obvious ones I missed? Let me know.
8 comments:
What about Charlie Strong (DC-Florida)? He doesn't have any head coaching experience, but he nearly got the Vandy job. He's certainly been putting together solid defenses for the better part of the past few years.
They had their issues last year, but they seem fixed (see World's Largest Outdoor [beverage redacted] Party).
ugh...
Will Muschamp - inexperienced and too emotional, he has a lot to learn and a lot of maturing to do, good defensive coach though.
Mike Leach - I thought Auburn was done with the spread, this guy would be the spread part deux and he is an odd ball...pass
Paul Johnson - nice resume, but would he leave GT after just one season? probably not
Jimbo Fisher - another nice resume, but how much longer will Papa Bowden really continue to coach for? I think Fischer will hold out for the FSU job.
Bobby Petrino - Barf, puke, crap. He's a constant flight risk, and I think he's a fraud as a coach. A few good years at Louisville... so what? Look at the mess he left behind.
Turner Gill - complete unknown, would be a HUGE gamble.
Brian Kelly - Very impressive resume, and I think maybe the most intriguing guy on your list Andy. 13 years at Grand Valley State (WOW) and a very impressive record there.
Why not check into Bill Cowher? Former Steelers coach, proven, very disciplined, one of few names that will compete *immediately* with little Nicky Saban in recruits minds. He is mulling over returning to coaching. He's living in Raleigh, NC and is currently an analyst with CBS. He's relatively young and very fiery.
Bammer fans would quake in their boots if AU were to bring him in.
How about Butch Davis? If Auburn could figure out a way to get him away from Chapel Hill, this would be the best guy for the job.
However, Davis is considered to be opposed to coaching in the SEC, and he's had plenty of opportunities. I don't know why Auburn would be any different. Let's be real: if he didn't want LSU several years ago, he won't want Auburn.
Davis is Auburn's top choice right now. Let's hope they can make it happen.
And don't forget about Steve Spurrier.
It will be interesting which direction they go. Just to respond specifically to a couple names on here.
Cowher: No doubt he's a great coach, but he didn't want the N.C. State job two years ago and he's an N.C. State graduate. I can't see him going back to college, especially when it's pretty good lock that the Cleveland Browns are going to make a Godfather offer to him this offseason.
Davis: It surprised me a little bit to find out he's 57. That's older than Tuberville. He's making $1.8 million at North Carolina, where he doesn't have nearly the pressure that he would have here. Plus, he just got UNC to the point where it's going to be a force in the ACC in upcoming years.
Spurrier: He's 63 and probably not primed to go through another transition at this stage in his career. I think he'd be great to cover, just for all the quips, but would he put up with the headache of dealing with certain high-level boosters when he's so close to retirement as it is?
Sorry, I forgot to mention Strong.
If you're looking for somebody with a knowledge of the SEC and a defensive background that would fit with Auburn's personality, Strong would be a good candidate. He's a little bit like Muschamp or Gill, though. Do you want your hire to be a first-time head coach? That's a heck of a situation to throw yourself into having never done it before.
Here's on you haven't mentioned - how about Lou Holtz? He's obviously good at recruiting and motivational speaking. He could bring his son Skip in as offensive coordinator and heir apparent. The best thing would be getting him off of ESPN!!
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