Auburn Football: Coaching Staff Updates, Rumors and Speculation
Nov 23, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and head coach Will Muschamp during the second quarter against the FGeorgia Southern Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Auburn football coaching staff is likely to undergo a reconstruction, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, with the hiring of new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. But could there be an even bigger shakeup?
Head Coach
Gus Malzahn has succeeded everywhere he has been, winning state championships as a high school coach, then jumping to the SEC as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas. He called plays for the nation’s top performing offenses two seasons in a row at Tulsa before moving on to Auburn, where he helped lead the Tigers to the 2010 National Championship.
Following a three-year stint on the Plains, Malzahn took an opportunity to become a college head coach in his home state and led Arkansas State to the Sun Belt title in 2012. Then, Auburn came calling and he turned a 3-9 squad into 12-game winners and SEC Champions. After an 8-4 regular season in 2014, could Malzahn be ready for another challenge?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Malzahn may be a target for an NFL team this off-season. However, Rapoport said Malzahn’s most likely suitor would be the Miami Dolphins, who announced Joe Philbin would return as head coach in 2015 later in the day.
Still, Auburn isn’t completely out of the woods. The Atlanta Falcons are expected to fire Mike Smith, the 49ers are likely to part ways with Jim Harbaugh, Marc Trestman’s days appear numbered in Chicago, the Oakland Raiders already have an opening, and Rex Ryan was supposed to have been fired two or three times by now by the New York Jets.
Plus, there always seem to be one or two surprise firings in the NFL every season, and with Malzahn’s impressive track record of offensive production and innovation, he would be a sexy hire in many professional circles.
Right now, it would be very surprising to see Malzahn leave for the League. But Auburn football fans shouldn’t count it out just yet.
Next: Offensive Staff