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Auburn Football Coaching Rumors: Muschamp Top Defensive Coordinator Target

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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As we near the 24-hour mark since Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired, we continue to hear rumors and speculation of who will replace him. But there is one name that screams louder than others…

“Boom,” it says. Coach Boom.

According to 247Sports’ Phillip Marshall ($), recently fired Florida head coach Will Muschamp is – as many Auburn football fans had hoped – the top target for the vacant post of defensive coordinator. This supports ESPN.com’s earlier report that there is mutual interest between Auburn and Muschamp.

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Some people would take some time off if they were in his shoes, but Muschamp has already said he would like to be working during the 2015 season. What he hasn’t said is whether or not he would rather pursue head coaching opportunities or return to his most successful role to date, as a defensive coordinator.

“I don’t care what’s happened to Will and his circumstances, he did a really good job in my opinion in making that program better, did a great job of recruiting, was a great competitor out there in recruiting, and I think he really did a really good job in coaching the team,” Muschamp’s former boss and current Alabama head coach Nick Saban said recently.

“There were just some parts of the team that never did as well as people’s expectations, and that’s the business that we’re in. But I know that he’ll do well wherever he decides to go and in whatever he decides to do because I know what kind of competitor and what kind of person that he is.”

Muschamp worked for Saban at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins before returning to the college game with a two-year stint at Auburn. In 2008, he became the DC and head coach in waiting at Texas, before becoming the actual coach of the Gators in 2011.

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    • After a 28-21 stint in Gainesville, his own town, Muschamp was fired.

    Now he’s a very hot commodity (Texas A&M is reported to have a strong interest in bringing Muschamp back to the Lone Star State), and according to Marshall, Auburn has made him their top priority.

    Personally, I still think it’s a long shot that Muschamp makes a return trip to the Plains – though that may be an effort not to get my hopes up too high. In my opinion, Muschamp would be the best possible hire for the position.

    Can you imagine? Head coach Gus Malzahn is one of the greatest offensive minds and play-callers in ALL of football. Muschamp has a similar pedigree on the defensive side. Plus, he’s a top notch recruiter that has earned a reputation as one of the best “flippers” in the nation.

    If Auburn is in fact pursuing Muschamp, it’s the right move. We’ll just have to see if everything works out.

    Next: ESPN Reports Mutual Interest Between Muschamp and Auburn

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