It looks like Jeff Brohm is no longer an option for Auburn. The Louisville head coach was always thought to be a long shot to leave the school he has devoted much of his life to, but with the word that he and the Cardinals are working on a long-term extension, it's safe for the Tigers to move on.
But where do the Tigers go? It's a very good opening in a competitive job market where a lot of top programs are looking for new leadership. Who are the candidates the decision makers with the Tigers will be closing in on? Here are a few candidates.
1. Jon Sumrall, head coach Tulane
Sumrall is the guy that you hear the most in relation to the Auburn job, and it makes sense. He has experience in the SEC as an assistant. He coached at Troy and had tons of success on the field and on the recruiting trail. And he's a winner. Sumrall is on track to average 10 wins per season through his first four seasons as a head coach. He is a top prospect for a major job, and he should be Auburn's top choice.
2. Alex Golesh, head coach South Florida
I think Golesh is higher on the wish list for Auburn than some might believe. The 41-year-old coach pulled the strings for Josh Heupel's offense at UCF and Tennessee for a few years and is now showing that he can do it all on his own. With USF in the hunt for a spot in the college football playoffs, Golesh is getting a lot of attention that will make it tough to stay in Tampa. Golesh's ability to develop a quarterback like Byrum Brown makes him even more appealing.
Auburn hiring Alex Golesh would be like swapping a flip phone for a Tesla. Do it.#cfb pic.twitter.com/EKR3ZXsKb1
— rotation guy (@rotationguy) November 6, 2025
3. Brent Key, head coach Georgia Tech
Kenny Dillingham, head coach Arizona State
Clark Lea, head coach Vanderbilt
I group these three coaches together because they are all at their alma maters, and it would take a lot to get any of them to move. If I had to bet on which one would be the most open to changing locations, it's Dillingham because he knows the lay of the land at Auburn and if he liked it there the first time, maybe he thinks. But all three coaches will use this attention to get extensions with their current programs.
Other coaches to watch:
Ryan Silverfield, head coach Memphis
Charles Huff, head coach Southern Mississippi
Jamey Chadwell, head coach Liberty
James Franklin, former head coach Penn State
Willie Fritz, head coach Houston