IDLE CANDIDATES
- Jon Gruden -
Seems to draw interest from many schools.
He has yet to show any interest to come back
and coach.
- Butch Davis -
Was building a solid foundation at North Carolina
until the NCAA came down hard on the school.
Tough, hard nosed coach, in which Auburn is in dying
need of.
- Bobby Petrino -
The name just won't go away. Even with the immature
actions at Arkansas, Petrino is still a candidate for the job.
He could be taken out of consideration very quickly.
NFL HEAD COACHES
- Jeff Fisher, Rams -
Has many connections to Auburn so the hire would make
sense. He makes seven million dollars which is top five for the
highest paid coaches in the NFL.
- Sean Payton, Saints -
Could be out of a job in New Orleans and looks to be a strong
candidate for a possible Cowboy vacancy. Probably won't even
consider Auburn, if even contacted.
- Justin Garrett, Cowboys -
Looks to be out in Dallas and not a popular choice for college.
Probably looking for an assistant job in the NFL.
NFL ASSISTANT COACHES
- Mike Zimmer, OC, Bengals -
Has college experience. Popular choice for NFL head coaching job.
- Dirk Koetter, OC, Falcons -
66-44 record as college head coach at Boise State and Arizona State.
Could see some interest from NFL for a head coaching job.
COLLEGE ASSISTANT COACHES
- Kirby Smart, DC, Alabama -
He will draw more than enough attention from many schools in the offseason.
Saban will probably not let him go to Auburn. Arkansas might be more fitting.
- Brian VanGorder, DC, Auburn -
You know who he is. He might not be cut out quite yet to be a head coach.
- Shawn Watson, OC, Louisville -
Plenty of college experience. On the verge of becoming a head coach. Could
this be his big break?
- Manny Diaz, DC, Texas -
Currently has one of the best job a college assistant coach could have. His
next stop will most likely be a head coaching spot. Remember he was at
Mississippi State before Texas.
- Brent Venables, DC, Clemson -
Highly respected defensive coordinator, who always sees his name when a head
coaching job is open. He doesn't have any Auburn connections but could show
interest.
- Dan Quinn, DC, Florida -
If the Tigers want a coach with a NFL background and familiarity with the SEC, this
is the man to go after.
COLLEGE HEAD COACHES
- Charlie Strong, Louisville -
Auburn will have to fight off Arkansas to hire him. Strong has SEC experience at
Florida and has turned a Louisville program back in the right direction as head coach.
I will be surprised if he stays in Louisville for another year.
- Gus Malzahn, Arkansas State -
Malzahn will probably be on the short list for Arkansas as well.
- Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech -
He has to put together a powerhouse program at Tech. This could be a premature
consideration but sooner or later he will be a hot commodity.
- Gary Patterson, TCU -
Patterson was considered for the head coaching job in 2008-09 before Chizik
was hired. Patterson has a solid program at TCU and with the recent transition to
the Big 12, he may not even consider leaving.
- Larry Fedora, North Carolina -
He was a candidate back in 2008 and he has a better resume now. Even though he just got to Chapel Hill, he may be a strong candidate for the job. Popular offensive coordinator too!
- James Franklin, Vanderbilt -
This man means business. He has turned the Vanderbilt program completely around and
would be a perfect fit at Auburn. Look for him to make his decision very early.
- Butch Jones, Cincinnati -
Well, look where the last Cincinnati coach ended up. Yeah, on his way to Miami playing for
the national championship.
- Willie Taggert, Western Kentucky -
One good season in the Sun Belt may get you some consideration but rarely from the
SEC. Maybe Kentucky though...
- Paul Rhoads, Iowa State -
The last former Auburn defensive coordinator who coached at Iowa State didn't turn
out very well. Do the Tigers take another chance in that direction?
- Al Golden, Miami, Florida -
With all the sanctions and hardships Miami is going through, Golden may want the quickest
way out and Auburn would be a great place for him to land.
- Mario Cristobal, FIU -
Auburn fans may get mad at me for putting his name on the list but he is a great coach
but hard to tell versus Sun Belt opponents. Don't be surprised to see him as a backup
plan if Auburn can't hire anyone towards the end of January.
- Jimbo Fisher, Florida State -
Probably a long shot, but you never know. Fisher may want a more competitive league to
play in. And Auburn could probably pay him more depending on his FSU buyout.
Don't Get Your Hopes Up:
Jon Gruden-doesn't show any interest to coach anywhere.
Sean Payton-he was born into the NFL.
Possible but unlikely:
Kirby Smart-don't count him out as a head coach somewhere else but not here.
Dirk Koetter-how many times do you see an NFL guy leave without being fired to come to college?
Gary Patterson-has his tenure at TCU and pushed Auburn aside back in 2008.
Jeff Fisher-if he turns down $7mil a year to come to Auburn, be my guest and call me stupid.
Butch Davis-wouldn't be a bad hire but seems to have lost his reputation after UNC allegations.
Al Golden-just got to South Beach and seems to have everything under control...for now
Jimbo Fisher-has a solid program at FSU but has Auburn connections so you never know..
Mario Cristobal-don't see Auburn heading into this direction but this man means business.
Larry Fedora-with UNC on probation, coach could take an early leave.
Final Cut:
Butch Jones-has done a fine job at Cincy and seems to be a hot target this offseason for many schools. It would definitely make sense for Auburn.
Gus Malzahn-the man had success at Auburn, why not bring him back with no handcuffs? (If you know what I mean)
Charlie Strong-looks good on paper, but with now UL moving to the ACC, it looks as if Strong will stay.
Sonny Dykes-has taken Dooley's once strong LT team and has now made them a force to be reckoned with. Could be a huge risk, but could be in strong consideration.
Who I think Gets the Job:
Bobby Petrino-looks to be the man at the top of the list as of late. Petrino has apologized for all his actions and is looking for a second chance. I think Auburns gives him that chance. If he had success at Arkansas with mediocre recruits imagine what he could do at Auburn.
- Jon Gruden -
Seems to draw interest from many schools.
He has yet to show any interest to come back
and coach.
- Butch Davis -
Was building a solid foundation at North Carolina
until the NCAA came down hard on the school.
Tough, hard nosed coach, in which Auburn is in dying
need of.
- Bobby Petrino -
The name just won't go away. Even with the immature
actions at Arkansas, Petrino is still a candidate for the job.
He could be taken out of consideration very quickly.
NFL HEAD COACHES
- Jeff Fisher, Rams -
Has many connections to Auburn so the hire would make
sense. He makes seven million dollars which is top five for the
highest paid coaches in the NFL.
- Sean Payton, Saints -
Could be out of a job in New Orleans and looks to be a strong
candidate for a possible Cowboy vacancy. Probably won't even
consider Auburn, if even contacted.
- Justin Garrett, Cowboys -
Looks to be out in Dallas and not a popular choice for college.
Probably looking for an assistant job in the NFL.
NFL ASSISTANT COACHES
- Mike Zimmer, OC, Bengals -
Has college experience. Popular choice for NFL head coaching job.
- Dirk Koetter, OC, Falcons -
66-44 record as college head coach at Boise State and Arizona State.
Could see some interest from NFL for a head coaching job.
COLLEGE ASSISTANT COACHES
- Kirby Smart, DC, Alabama -
He will draw more than enough attention from many schools in the offseason.
Saban will probably not let him go to Auburn. Arkansas might be more fitting.
- Brian VanGorder, DC, Auburn -
You know who he is. He might not be cut out quite yet to be a head coach.
- Shawn Watson, OC, Louisville -
Plenty of college experience. On the verge of becoming a head coach. Could
this be his big break?
- Manny Diaz, DC, Texas -
Currently has one of the best job a college assistant coach could have. His
next stop will most likely be a head coaching spot. Remember he was at
Mississippi State before Texas.
- Brent Venables, DC, Clemson -
Highly respected defensive coordinator, who always sees his name when a head
coaching job is open. He doesn't have any Auburn connections but could show
interest.
- Dan Quinn, DC, Florida -
If the Tigers want a coach with a NFL background and familiarity with the SEC, this
is the man to go after.
COLLEGE HEAD COACHES
- Charlie Strong, Louisville -
Auburn will have to fight off Arkansas to hire him. Strong has SEC experience at
Florida and has turned a Louisville program back in the right direction as head coach.
I will be surprised if he stays in Louisville for another year.
- Gus Malzahn, Arkansas State -
Malzahn will probably be on the short list for Arkansas as well.
- Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech -
He has to put together a powerhouse program at Tech. This could be a premature
consideration but sooner or later he will be a hot commodity.
- Gary Patterson, TCU -
Patterson was considered for the head coaching job in 2008-09 before Chizik
was hired. Patterson has a solid program at TCU and with the recent transition to
the Big 12, he may not even consider leaving.
- Larry Fedora, North Carolina -
He was a candidate back in 2008 and he has a better resume now. Even though he just got to Chapel Hill, he may be a strong candidate for the job. Popular offensive coordinator too!
- James Franklin, Vanderbilt -
This man means business. He has turned the Vanderbilt program completely around and
would be a perfect fit at Auburn. Look for him to make his decision very early.
- Butch Jones, Cincinnati -
Well, look where the last Cincinnati coach ended up. Yeah, on his way to Miami playing for
the national championship.
- Willie Taggert, Western Kentucky -
One good season in the Sun Belt may get you some consideration but rarely from the
SEC. Maybe Kentucky though...
- Paul Rhoads, Iowa State -
The last former Auburn defensive coordinator who coached at Iowa State didn't turn
out very well. Do the Tigers take another chance in that direction?
- Al Golden, Miami, Florida -
With all the sanctions and hardships Miami is going through, Golden may want the quickest
way out and Auburn would be a great place for him to land.
- Mario Cristobal, FIU -
Auburn fans may get mad at me for putting his name on the list but he is a great coach
but hard to tell versus Sun Belt opponents. Don't be surprised to see him as a backup
plan if Auburn can't hire anyone towards the end of January.
- Jimbo Fisher, Florida State -
Probably a long shot, but you never know. Fisher may want a more competitive league to
play in. And Auburn could probably pay him more depending on his FSU buyout.
Don't Get Your Hopes Up:
Jon Gruden-doesn't show any interest to coach anywhere.
Sean Payton-he was born into the NFL.
Possible but unlikely:
Kirby Smart-don't count him out as a head coach somewhere else but not here.
Dirk Koetter-how many times do you see an NFL guy leave without being fired to come to college?
Gary Patterson-has his tenure at TCU and pushed Auburn aside back in 2008.
Jeff Fisher-if he turns down $7mil a year to come to Auburn, be my guest and call me stupid.
Butch Davis-wouldn't be a bad hire but seems to have lost his reputation after UNC allegations.
Al Golden-just got to South Beach and seems to have everything under control...for now
Jimbo Fisher-has a solid program at FSU but has Auburn connections so you never know..
Mario Cristobal-don't see Auburn heading into this direction but this man means business.
Larry Fedora-with UNC on probation, coach could take an early leave.
Final Cut:
Butch Jones-has done a fine job at Cincy and seems to be a hot target this offseason for many schools. It would definitely make sense for Auburn.
Gus Malzahn-the man had success at Auburn, why not bring him back with no handcuffs? (If you know what I mean)
Charlie Strong-looks good on paper, but with now UL moving to the ACC, it looks as if Strong will stay.
Sonny Dykes-has taken Dooley's once strong LT team and has now made them a force to be reckoned with. Could be a huge risk, but could be in strong consideration.
Who I think Gets the Job:
Bobby Petrino-looks to be the man at the top of the list as of late. Petrino has apologized for all his actions and is looking for a second chance. I think Auburns gives him that chance. If he had success at Arkansas with mediocre recruits imagine what he could do at Auburn.