Auburn football HC candidate trending to Wisconsin

While for the most part, it feels like the Auburn football head coaching search has truly centered around current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, there were always other names floating around. At this point in time, it seems that the ship has sailed when it comes to Kiffin, and the Tigers have moved on to consider other names.

Hugh Freeze was reportedly the top candidate should the deal with Kiffin fall through, but there is the possibility that public outrage this weekend at the idea of hiring Freeze has hurt his chances of getting the job.

And so, the search continues, but it is now being reported that another head coach that was tabbed as a potential candidate for Auburn football head coach could be taking a job at Wisconsin. ESPN’s Pete Thamel wrote this morning that Luke Fickell could be on the verge of being the Badgers’ next head coach:

"Wisconsin has targeted Luke Fickell to be the school’s next head coach, sources told ESPN. No deal is signed, but there’s a strong push by the Badgers to try and land Fickell in the next 48 hours."

After leading Cincinnati to the College Football Playoffs last year, becoming the first Group of 5 team to play in the CFP, Fickell has supposedly always been on the Tigers’ radar as a potential coach but the focus was always on Kiffin.

Now, Fly War Eagle has reported that while Auburn is receiving much pushback about a potential Hugh Freeze hire, current Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is a name to watch in the search. Meanwhile, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and Penn State head coach James Franklin still remain in the mix.

With the 2022 regular season officially over, the Tigers are now waiting in limbo to see who their next head coach will be, and if they receive a bowl invitation.