Auburn football fans split on if Jeff Grimes is a qualified head coach option
Auburn football is in a state of ambiguity regarding the head coaching position. Bryan Harsin currently sits in the seat, but there’s a ticking clock on his tenure, and it’s unclear just how much sand is in the hourglass.
While his coaching record fell to 9-11 overall and 4-11 against Power Five opponents after a 48-34 spread-covering loss to Ole Miss on October 15 in Oxford, he did make coaching decisions that inspired a second-half comeback that had the game within a touchdown.
Still, until Harsin starts upsetting SEC West opponents in higher standing than the last-place Tigers — aka any of their upcoming opponents in the final five games outside of Western Kentucky — his job security will be in peril. That he couldn’t answer a simple question from reporters on if he’s been assured that he will stick around doesn’t inspire confidence that he’s not a lame duck on the Auburn football sidelines.
With the uncertainty of the program keeping the fanbase in a perpetual state of malaise, talking about the next head coach on social media has become a form of counseling for a fanbase that sinks further down bad each and every week during the 2022 season. One of the more talked about names from Tiger fans who aren’t getting their hopes up about Deion Sanders, Lane Kiffin, and the like is Jeff Grimes.
Grimes was on Gene Chizik’s national championship support staff and is currently the offensive coordinator for Baylor after serving in the same role at BYU during Zach Wilson’s final years before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Auburn football fans split on whether or not Jeff Grimes as qualified to be the next Tigers head coach
As it stands, Jeff Grimes’ resume has some endorsing him to be the next play-caller on the Plains, while others are not sold on his qualifications given his lack of head coaching experience in his 27-year coaching career.
Here is the pro Grimes portion of the fanbase:
Bryan Harsin: 7 years as head coach
— 🥶Caleb Williams🥶 (@dubswill) October 14, 2022
Jeff Grimes: 0 years as head coach
Bryan Harsin: known among Boise State fans for not developing the O line reputation that Coach Pete had created
Jeff Grimes: every O line he touches turns to gold
I’m up for the trying new things
By the way, Jeff Grimes🔥 pic.twitter.com/Du7Hm1sZTG
— Aubie’s son🦅 (@AubieSon) October 14, 2022
Jeff Grimes recruited and coached the best offensive line Auburn has ever had in the past 50 years.
— Chad Bagwell (@BagofWells) October 15, 2022
Jeff Grimes is having a pretty solid audition tonight 👀
— Ryan (@whokilledpluto7) October 14, 2022
I’m officially on the Jeff Grimes bandwagon for the next AU coach!
— Will Campbell (@WillCam418) October 14, 2022
And here are those opposed…
Auburn fans would rather be right and them hire Jeff Grimes than be wrong and actually have a chance to become a better program. That’s what Twitter does to people.
— Parker Hyde (PS5 Owner) (@parkerhyde007) October 14, 2022
Alignment is good unless it results in Jeff Grimes
— bg (@bigbaggetta2) October 16, 2022
Like Jeff Grimes lol. That seems to be the favorite which would once again be…underwhelming
— Garrett Mashburn (@G_Mashburn) October 15, 2022
There are several things that do that but that's part of him. You won't compete in the SEC with Jeff Grimes.
— Jet7111 (@jet7111) October 14, 2022
Yep. Have to have a personality big enough to compete with the Saban’s and Kirby’s of the world in recruiting. We can surround him with the seasoned coaches/support staff necessary to help run the program. What percentage of top 100 recruits have ever heard of Jeff Grimes?
— elimino🅿️ 🦚❄️ (@eliminoP) October 9, 2022
If Utah State AD John Hartwell is hired, Grimes appears to be the top name on his shortlist for next head coach.