Auburn Defensive Coordinator Search: Latest News, Speculation on Vacant Position

In its quest to find a new defensive coordinator to replace Ellis Johnson, Auburn apparently has its sights set high. According to Jay G. Tate of AuburnSports.com, the school is gunning for former Florida head coach Will Muschamp to fill the position:

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Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp has been offered the job and is considering the opportunity, AuburnSports.com has learned. The one-time Auburn assistant coached the Gators during their loss at Florida State last weekend and held firm on plans to spend some time clearing his head before considering his next move.

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FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman reports more on Auburn and Muschamp:

Per Tate's report, Texas A&M also has interest in Muschamp, while two NFL teams have expressed interest. But if Muschamp isn't interested in the job, Tate reports that UAB head coach Bill Clark—Clark will be available after UAB decided to shut down the football program on Tuesday, per ESPN—and Memphis defensive coordinator Barry Odom are also strong candidates for the position.

Muschamp would be the prize hire, however. While his tenure at Florida as the head coach was a disappointment, Muschamp is still considered one of the brightest defensive minds in college football and has been the defensive coordinator at LSU, with the Miami Dolphins, at Auburn and at Texas. 

It would be a huge hire for Auburn and give them one of the brightest defensive minds in the game to pair with an offensive whiz (head coach Gus Malzahn). The season just ended, but already Auburn is trying to make one of the splashiest moves of the offseason.