Auburn Football: Latest News and Updates Surrounding the Tigers Coaching Search

The Auburn coaching staff has taken a drastic shakeup in the past two weeks. First came the announcement that Ted Roof was departing to take over the defensive coordinator position at Central Florida last week.

Just two days ago, it became public that the Tigers offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn would also depart the Tigers for the head coaching position at Arkansas State.

The Tigers program is obviously moving into a bit of a rebuilding mode after the loss of both coordinators, but head coach Gene Chizik seems anything but distracted. The focus seems to be zeroed in on finding a defensive coordinator as soon as possible.

Chizik is serving as the defensive coordinator for the Tigers during the bowl game and a hiring would not likely change that course. With only two weeks remaining until game time, the Tigers are not likely to change anything at this point.

Getting a bowl win is a major focus for these Tigers and this staff.

Closing out the first week of bowl practice, there has been little bowl game talk but the coordinator chatter has really started to heat up. Many names have made the rounds but the Tigers appear to be closing in on their answer defensively. Offensively, it may take a little longer than most would like.

Taking a look at the process that is unfolding, here is a look at what appears to be happening on the Plains.

Defensive Coordinator Search

Mark Stoops has been the hot name for the Auburn defensive coordinator search for roughly a week. At this point, with no direct denial, there has to be some mutual interest from Auburn and Stoops.

However, Stoops may also be in the mix for some head coaching vacancies. If Stoops has the opportunity to make it to a head job, he will likely take that road first. If he stays as a coordinator, it appears that Auburn will be throwing everything they have at him trying to pull him to the Plains.

It has been rumored that Auburn is willing to pay in the seven figures range for Stoops. Shifting the majority of the coordinator pay to the defensive side of the ball may be a good fix for the Tigers, considering the horrible showing they have had the past three seasons. Stoops has a reputation as a game-changing coach and Auburn needs a game changer.

If Auburn and Stoops were to fall through, the remaining field appears to be dwindling. With Everett Withers rumored to be heading to Ohio State, the only other two names that appear to be early leaders would be Ellis Johnson and Joe Whitt Jr.

Johnson has yet to be contacted by Auburn, but he would likely be a great fit for the Tigers. Joe Whitt Jr. would also be a great fit; the problem is his lack of experience. Assuming that Johnson stays put, Whitt Jr. may be the next best option.

Joe Whitt Jr. has Auburn lineage and was a walk-on for the Tigers during his playing career. He has spent some time at the collegiate level and knows how to teach defense, but again the lack of experience is the biggest question mark.

I would expect that a decision with Stoops should come within the week. Either Auburn will have its guy or Florida State will have added a substantial raise to his salary line. If Stoops doesn’t land at Auburn, it will be interesting to see the next direction the Tigers take.

Offensive Coordinator Search

With the recent departure of Malzahn, Auburn is now looking for its second coordinator in as many weeks, which is not a good position for any team to be in. Malzahn was looking to become a head coach, so the move is no real surprise.

The Tigers have been hot on the trail for the defensive replacement, and it seems to be the major focus for Gene Chizik and the Auburn administration. Not to say that the offensive coordinator position is not a priority, but Chizik seems to be refocusing this Auburn team back towards defense.

I posted an article a few weeks ago addressing the possible departure of Malzahn, but one candidate for his replacement has already joined Malzahn at Arkansas State. Rhett Lashlee is now the offensive coordinator for Malzahn and the Red Wolves.

It is unclear whether Auburn is looking to stay with the spread or move to a more traditional style offense with the pending change at the coordinator position. The Tigers have built their recruiting to fit the spread offense, but an adaptation would not likely be a huge leap.

I would expect the Tigers to stay with some type of spread offense, but likely to be more multiple. The Tigers have to find a system that earns more first downs, no matter what the coaching style may be.

Burning the defense by putting them back on the field too quickly was a big problem in the past three seasons; expect the Tigers to avoid that issue with the future hire.

As the defensive coordinator position clears up, expect the Tigers to go full steam ahead toward the offensive solution for the future.