Auburn returning championship coordinators would win the offseason

If Auburn football were to bring back their last championship offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, in the same position he held in 2010, and the title-winning head coach that year, Gene Chizik, as a co-defensive coordinator/analyst, the Tigers would undoubtedly win the offseason.

Thus far, both Malzahn and Chizik have fared well in their respective roles in Central Florida and at UNC, respectively, but there are signs both the Knights’ and Tar Heels’ seasons could take nosedives; in the case of the former, potentially costing him his head coaching job. Malzahn is on thinner ice than Chizik is, but college coaches jump ship all the time far before the current contract is up.

Sure, both men had reached their logical ends during their last tenures with the Tigers, but at this point, the program is hurting too much to stay complacent at all positions on Hugh Freeze’s coaching staff. Some goodwill from bringing back familiar faces isn’t a bad start to change those fortunes.

Ron Roberts earning keep as Auburn football defensive coordinator while Philip Montgomery’s days as offensive coordinator are numbered

AU defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has led a respectable defensive unit during the 2023 season; one that’s had to cover up for the deficiencies of Philip Montgomery’s bottom-tier SEC, and FBS-wide, offense.

Montgomery is holding onto his position for dear life and could be let go if the passing offense continues to resemble an academy’s. With Cadillac Williams, who has a history of rejuvenating an offense as the calendar turns to November, looming as a potential in-season replacement, the former Tulsa coach should feel as though he has to earn his keep.

Because Roberts has, and if the losing continues, someone will have to be held responsible. The program isn’t looking to shuffle Freeze out so soon after dismissing Bryan Harsin midway through the 2022 season, so Montgomery is a natural fall guy.