Per reporting from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and John Talty, Jon Sumrall is in the Florida Gators' crosshairs, and the Auburn Tigers are increasingly looking likely to promote interim head coach and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin to full-time head coach.
Other reports dictate that the Tulane Green Wave head coach is out of the Tigers' sweepstakes entirely, with Sumrall being an option for the Ole Miss Rebels and LSU Tigers, depending on who Lane Kiffin chooses.
"Sumrall had been a top person of interest for Auburn, but it's become clear in the last couple days that Sumrall is unlikely to end up being the Tigers' next head coach. With Sumrall now more likely to end up elsewhere, interim head coach D.J. Durkin has become even more of a contender to be Auburn's next head coach. He took over the program from Hugh Freeze and is 1-1, including a close 45-38 overtime loss to Vanderbilt, headed into a critical Iron Bowl game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. An Auburn win would strengthen Durkin's case to keep the permanent job," Zenits and Talty reported.
"Auburn AD John Cohen has already said publicly he'd like for Durkin, who was in his second season as Auburn's defensive coordinator, to be retained regardless, an interesting wrinkle for any possible head coach to consider. Durkin wants the Auburn head coach job but could be open to staying as DC under the right person."
The good news? First-time Power 4 coaches coming from the Group of 5 ranks don't tend to do well historically. Especially from the American Conference.
The not-so-good news? Auburn missed out on its top target again, with its last top target, Kiffin, not even considering them this time around. Settling on Durkin may be unpopular to some. The former Maryland Terrapins coach's controversial tenure in College Park is well documented.
Auburn doesn't need to fully start over with new hire
AU may not enter a new era. With a lot of things working from the last era, there may be no need to press reset.
Plus, public perception of so many coaches uninterested in coaching on the Plains under a demanding booster class is only getting worse as the losses and buyout payouts pile up.
If Auburn wins the Iron Bowl, it's in Durkin we trust. No questions asked. Especially if the current roster likes him, mainly the team's highest-paid players.