After Johnnie Harris' firing was announced on Thursday, Auburn women's basketball fans made it known their preference to bring on one of the fastest-rising stars in the sport, current Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller, to the Plains.
AL.com's Peter Rauterkus has bad news for them: Miller is more likely to choose her hometown Missouri Tigers instead.
"There aren’t nearly as many connections here (as Kellie Harper and Sam Purcell), but Miller is one of the most promising up and coming coaches in women’s college basketball," Rauterkus wrote.
"She’s 112-37 over her four years at Grand Canyon, including a 27-2 overall record and 14-0 record in the Western Athletic Conference this season. Prior to her time at Grand Canyon, she amassed a record of 180-17 at Division II Drury University.
"A native of Springfield, Missouri, and spending six seasons as a head coach in her hometown, she seems to be more of a candidate for the opening at Missouri."
Just as Alabama publications did when Harris was fired, Missouri publications pushed for Miller after Robin Pingeton stepped down.
"This will be among the most popular names on the list, and for good reason," the Columbia Daily Tribune's Calum McAndrew wrote.
"Miller is in her 11th season as a college head coach and has a 290-54 record. There will be major interest around the country in hiring Miller. Expect Missouri to throw its hat in the ring."
Auburn AD John Cohen's ties to Mississippi State's Sam Purcell make the 45-year-old Dalton, Georgia native the frontrunner for the job. It's somewhat of a safe hire, but Purcell's performance in Starkville is undeniable.
AU women's hoops isn't in a position to steal top coaching talent from Mizzou, or anyone for that matter. Though Pingeton hadn't led the Tigers to much success recently, her Missouri teams had three tournament wins during her tenure.
Auburn has had three tournament wins total since the turn of the century. There's work to do to get this program in a position to consistently win in the SEC.