Fly War Eagle
Fansided

Why Becoming Auburn Defensive Coordinator is the Right Move for Will Muschamp

By Nicholas Ian Allen

facebooktwitterreddit

There has been a lot of talk – an lots and lots of hoping – among Auburn football fans about Will Muschamp as a potential candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position.

It’s not a question of whether or not he’s the best candidate for the job, and it seems pretty obvious through various reports and multiple outlets that he’s the man head coach Gus Malzahn wants to hire as the new Auburn defensive coordinator.

More from Auburn Football

However, we don’t know what other options Muschamp is weighing, or exactly how much interest he has in returning to the Plains.

Texas A&M is probably interested, he’ll probably get some interest from the NFL as a coordinator, and he’s sure to get a couple of calls about head coaching opportunities. But there is one big reason Will Muschamp should agree to coach the Tigers’ defense – it will make him a better head coach in the long run.

Think about it. What was Muschamp’s biggest downfall as the head coach of the Florida Gators? Horrible offense. Who better to work with and learn from day-to-day than Gus Malzahn?

Make no mistake, Muschamp *knows* offensive football. As a long-time defensive coach, he’s seen it, studied it, and game-planned for it all. However, working closely with an offensive mastermind like Gus Malzahn every day for a year or two might just be what Muschamp needs to broaden his skill set.

It also would play much better in future head coaching interviews.

“So Coach Muschamp, we all saw how things went in Gainesville, why are you now the best candidate to become the next head coach at Georgia/LSU/Vanderbilt/South Carolina/Taxidermy Tech?”

Nov 1, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp reatcs on the sidelines against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at EverBank Field. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

“Yes, we struggled at Florida, especially on the offensive side of the football, but for the past one/two/three seasons, I’ve been the defensive coordinator at Auburn University. I’ve learned a lot from Coach Malzahn, especially when it comes to offensive philosophy. I’ve been fully converted to the ways of the Hurry-Up, No Huddle and I’ve even strengthened my standing as the best defensive coach in America because of the success we’ve had while operating alongside an up-tempo offense. Plus, I think our back-to-back SEC and National Championships speak for themselves.”

“Good point, you’re hired.”

See? It’s the right move Muschamp.

But kidding aside, Muschamp hasn’t spent much time on staff with offensive coaches with Malzahn’s philosophies. LSU ran a pro-style system while he was there from 2001-05, as did the Miami Dolphins the following year. We remember Auburn in 2007 and 2008 right? (3-2 in Starkville, anyone?).

And though Texas did a few things to spread teams out while Muschamp was there, they weren’t exactly the most forward thinking on offense (for an update on Greg Davis, he’s the OC at Iowa now).

Live Feed

Auburn vs. Texas A&M Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
Auburn vs. Texas A&M Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

  • 2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballotSouth Bound & Down
  • SEC Football: Florida, LSU rise in Week 4 2023 power rankingsSouth Bound & Down
  • SEC Tailgating: Where should you go in each town?South Bound & Down
  • SEC football standings based on yards per play through Week 2FanSided
  • Auburn Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 seasonBusting Brackets

    • Then at Florida, he hired Charlie Weis (genius that he is), then Brent Pease (genius that he is), and finally Kurt Roper. Roper is actually a solid coach, but the Gators pulled the plug on Muschamp during his first season on campus.

    Muschamp needs some time with a few great offensive coaches. He and Malzahn will strengthen each other in meetings, the film room, on the grease board, on the practice field, and on fall Saturdays.

    Then, a couple of years down the line, Muschamp will be fully prepared to take another head coaching job in the SEC or wherever he sees fit.

    Will Muschamp is a great football coach regardless of how things played out at Florida. He already has people lining up to talk to him about joining their coaching staff for the 2015 season. Reportedly, Auburn is one of them.

    Hopefully, he’ll see it’s the best choice for his future.

    Next: Phillip Marshall Reports Muschamp is Top DC Target

    More from Fly War Eagle

    Home/Auburn Football