Auburn football: This OC candidate might be out of running for Tigers job

A lot has changed for the Auburn football program over the last 24 hours.

Of course, the biggest news is Bo Nix announcing his intentions to leave the Tigers via the transfer portal after three years as a starter and a lifetime of waiting to wear that uniform. The son of former AU signal-caller Patrick Nix has decided to take his talents elsewhere after earning a degree on the Plains, and he’ll have plenty of options.

Even with Nix gone, the damage may not be done. Tank Bigsby has been rumored to be on his way out next, though his family has been defending him on social media saying that isn’t the case.

Regardless, change is clearly coming. In fact, it’s been here for the last couple of weeks following Mike Bobo’s dismissal from his offensive coordinator post.

But now there are far more unknowns than there were just a few days ago. It’s unclear who will be QB1, and there’s no clear RB1 either, now. Beyond the players in uniform, though, there could be a major change coming to the OC search.

Kenny Dillingham is likely out as an option for the next Auburn football OC

One candidate who is seemingly all but out of the running to be the next Tigers offensive coordinator is Kenny Dillingham. Dillingham was Gus Malzahn’s OC in 2019 during Nix’s freshman season, which turned out to be his most efficient campaign under center in orange and blue.

The current Florida State OC left the program after an 8-4 regular season finish and didn’t stick around to see two straight six-win seasons. At this point, without Nix as QB1, Dillingham looks more likely to take the Oregon OC job offered by new head coach Dan Lanning and bring Nix with him.

It’d be shocking to see Bryan Harsin or the Auburn brain bring back Dillingham at this point.