BH: Jeff Grimes could be to Auburn football what Sam Pittman is to Arkansas
Ahead of Auburn football taking on Arkansas in Week 8 of the college football season on October 29, Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman is being used as a potential barometer for what one of the Tigers’ top coaching targets could be on the Plains.
That’d be Jeff Grimes, who could very well be chosen as Bryan Harsin’s replacement should Auburn University President Chris Roberts choose Utah State athletic director John Hartwell as AU’s next AD.
Grimes is currently the offensive coordinator at Baylor after serving in the same role for BYU during the 2018, 2019, and 2020 NCAAF seasons while overseeing Zach Wilson’s development into the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Should Grimes be chosen as the next Auburn football head coach, Bama Hammer’s Ronald Evans likened his potential impact to that of Pittman’s in Fayetteville — who took a 2-10 Razorbacks team in 2019 and had a nine-win team by 2021:
"“…it is true that many great assistant coaches don’t pan out as head coaches. But Grimes, in the same way, Sam Pittman has been at Arkansas, could be exactly what Auburn needs.”"
Bama Hammer doesn’t believe Jeff Grimes would turn around Auburn football right away
While Auburn football is starting to gain momentum in 2023 and 2024 recruitment, that could be stopped in its track with a coaching change. Recruits have spoken about wanting to play for Bryan Harsin, and him being yanked could change the minds of some who will have seen AU replace two coaches in three years as a deterrent.
The recruiting classes of the next two years won’t make an impact on the next season or two, however. The relative underperformance of Harsin and co. on the recruiting trail the past two cycles could set up the next coach for failure, assuming the Boise native will be canned at the conclusion of the current campaign; if not sooner.
Bama Hammer’s Ronald Evans believes that there won’t be an immediate turnaround, but Jeff Grimes would ultimately improve the trajectory for Auburn football in the long run:
"“Jeff Grimes would not win at Auburn in 2023. It is probable patience would also be needed in the 2024 season. But, after that, Jeff Grimes might be the guy to return the Tigers to relevance.”"
As Evans points out, Grimes wouldn’t be the most exciting choice, but perhaps Auburn needs someone who isn’t a lightning rod of attention until the program stabilizes its standing in the SEC.