Auburn football rumors: Are Ron Roberts and the Tigers set to part ways?
![Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is interviewed at the Woltosz Football Performance Center Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is interviewed at the Woltosz Football Performance Center](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1500,h_843,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/215/01hkn9j30vm3n5wpw7k2.jpg)
After the firing of Philip Montgomery, there is speculation that Auburn football and Ron Roberts are set to part ways
Earlier this week, news broke that first-year offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery was fired from his position. He was one of the first hires made by head coach Hugh Freeze last December, and his intended role was to be the Tigers' play caller while Freeze took a step back from gameplanning to focus on recruiting.
After a season of ups and downs and questionable game plans, especially the team's performance against Maryland in the Music City Bowl, Freeze and the Tigers will be seeking a new offensive coordinator.
On the heels of the OC news comes speculation that Auburn football may also be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator soon. The Tigers' defense was solid for most of the year, and Freeze praised DC Ron Roberts for his "masterful" playcalling on defense and for taking care of business.
However, fans were unhappy with Roberts after the defensive showing in this year's heartbreaking Iron Bowl in addition to his tendencies to argue with fans on social media.
Sources indicate trouble could be brewing on the Plains. According to Phillip Dukes of 247 Sports, there are several other schools—including Florida— interested in bringing Ron Roberts to their programs.
Hearing Auburn DC Ron Roberts has garnered significant interest from multiple schools one being Florida. Something to keep an eye on if Roberts and Auburn were to part ways.
— Phillip Dukes (@DukestheScoop) January 8, 2024
According to Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel, Roberts worked with Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier at Louisiana from 2018-2019 when Austin Armstrong, current Florida defensive coordinator, was a graduate assistant.
Also of note, Roberts deleted a tweet made from his personal account earlier this week citing 10 "culture killers" but quickly deleted the post.
Safe to say Ron Roberts will probably not be back… pic.twitter.com/QtAE7H5W8m
— Shanks (@Shanks205_) January 7, 2024
Prior to taking the defensive coordinator role on the Plains, Roberts held the same role at Baylor for three years. Before Baylor, Roberts was DC at Louisiana and head coach at Southeastern Louisiana.