Coach Candidates Thread (OP Updated 12/22)

[Zeek 16,649]

Being Considered:

Neal Brown (WVU HC) - supposedly interviewed but haven't heard a single update 

Out

Mario Cristobal (OR HC) - PAC12 delayed talks, Oregon rushed an extension, Allen Greene was ready to fight but the boosters were not.

 

Lane Kiffin (OM OC) - never considered due to character issues and tendency to leave programs. Mentioned as a favorite among players. 

 

Hugh Freeze (LIB HC) - considered Rane's original #1 but immediately deemed too risky. 

 

Tony Elliott (CL OC) - never interviewed. Either he knew Auburn didn't consider him a real candidate or there may have been bad blood with when Auburn leaked his interview (right before their conference championship) 

 

Steve Sarkisian (AL OC) - stated his terms and lost almost all momentum. Wanted Gus money, 5 years, 75% buyout. I'm told Auburn scoffed at the buyout and Sark scoffed at the lack of autonomy (a theme).

 

Billy Napier (LA HC) - considered favorite at one point, seemed ready to sign, all signs pointed to an announcement. Declined when told he didn't have autonomy. 

 

Kevin Steele (AU DC) - the word is Allen Greene hasn't let him interview. Regardless, he's dropped out for now... still seems to be working towards staying as a DC 

 

Bill Clark (UAB HC) - became defacto leading candidate when there was essentially no one else. Interviewed really well. Wasn't given autonomy either and dipped.

Brent Venables (CL DC) - staying at Clemson

*FWIW Greene has reportedly taken over the search. No clue how much he controls and if he can finally offer autonomy*

I think either we get a whole new batch of candidates or we revisit Cristobal & Napier with better offers. Kiffin and Freeze may get some consideration if the struggles continue. None of the above names will come without autonomy. 

 

Random list of people we might consider based purely off the top of my head: 

Fickell, Campbell, Huepel, Harsin, and Chadwell come to mind from the G5 teams.

[shabby 1,956]

Steve Sarkisian || Currently the Offensive Coordinator at Alabama || The downside is he has no head coaching experience o

 

no head coach experience?  What in the world is this writer talking about.

 

And Mario Cristobal has had success wherever he went? Tell that to FIU. Hardly accurate. He has been mediocre at best

 

 

 

[NoALtiger 3,850]

7 minutes ago, Zeek said:

https://barning.substack.com/p/gus-is-gone-10-candidates-to-replace

 

So this guy says Sark has no HC experience? Am I reading that right? If so, totally lost me with that. What a goof. 

[drewzums343 76]

9 minutes ago, Zeek said:

https://barning.substack.com/p/gus-is-gone-10-candidates-to-replace

 

Venables would be a home run hire based off his past success. Not clear he would have a desire to come here

[drewzums343 76]

3 minutes ago, NoALtiger said:

So this guy says Sark has no HC experience? Am I reading that right? If so, totally lost me with that. What a goof. 

They used to call him five loss Sark over at Washington 

[Zeek 16,649]

3 minutes ago, NoALtiger said:

So this guy says Sark has no HC experience? Am I reading that right? If so, totally lost me with that. What a goof. 

See it's already edited I'll update the OP

[Cardin Drake 1,825]

1 minute ago, drewzums343 said:

Venables would be a home run hire based off his past success. Not clear he would have a desire to come here

What in his career gives you confidence that he would be a good head coach?  He got run out of Norman because of his crappy defenses there. He has had success as a defensive coordinator at Clemson riding the Clemson recruiting machine, but he couldn't get it done at Oklahoma.

[shabby 1,956]

5 minutes ago, NoALtiger said:

So this guy says Sark has no HC experience? Am I reading that right? If so, totally lost me with that. What a goof. 

Exactly. Also seems to have an inflated sense of what building a program.means when discussing Cristobal

[NoALtiger 3,850]

2 minutes ago, Zeek said:

See it's already edited I'll update the OP

Ha I’m sure folks let him know real quick. The whole research is your friend and all. 

[tigerman1186 537]

I say...go after the following in this order.....1. Coach Saban 2. Coach Dabo S. 3. Coach Meyer 4. Coach Smart ....by then we should have our next coach out of this group...

[eaglenest 332]

9 minutes ago, tigerman1186 said:

I say...go after the following in this order.....1. Coach Saban 2. Coach Dabo S. 3. Coach Meyer 4. Coach Smart ....by then we should have our next coach out of this group...

add Bob Stoops

[eagle12 86]

Joe Brady don’t sound bad going by the year he had with LSU last year !

[Eagle Eye 7 2,535]

I want to go after a OC in the NFL. . And yes I know all the reason why not because of recruiting. My answer is tell him coming in He has to make coaching hires with big recruiting experience . Anyway just like uat and Clemson , nothing does recruiting better than winning. Just saying. Brady is one but there are others. Most of them making a million or two that would take the shot.  With the deal on Gus we do 10 million out front and 2.5 a year leaves plenty to make a home run hire here. No training time at AU needs a winner out of the gate. Period . 

[Cardin Drake 1,825]

The only guys on that list I could feel good about are Urban Meyer (not happening) and maybe Joe Brady.

[ToomersStreet 795]

BILL O"BRIEN

[tigers23 648]

32 minutes ago, tigerman1186 said:

I say...go after the following in this order.....1. Coach Saban 2. Coach Dabo S. 3. Coach Meyer 4. Coach Smart ....by then we should have our next coach out of this group...

We don't want Saban. He lost to UAB while at LSU 

[WarTim 3,456]

4 minutes ago, tigers23 said:

We don't want Saban. He lost to UAB while at LSU 

...and lost to La Monroe @ Bryant Denny. 

[Mims44 1,867]

Has Joe Brady ever came out and said, "I don't wanna be a HC"?

 

He seems like the type that'd be a top pick for a lot of people, but I rarely ever hear his name called.

[Carnell 592]

44 minutes ago, Eagle Eye 7 said:

I want to go after a OC in the NFL. . And yes I know all the reason why not because of recruiting. My answer is tell him coming in He has to make coaching hires with big recruiting experience . Anyway just like uat and Clemson , nothing does recruiting better than winning. Just saying. Brady is one but there are others. Most of them making a million or two that would take the shot.  With the deal on Gus we do 10 million out front and 2.5 a year leaves plenty to make a home run hire here. No training time at AU needs a winner out of the gate. Period . 

I agree with you but I won't a DC from the NFL in Saints DC Dennis Allen.  However any coordinators from the NFL, putting hiring criteria on his staff even generalities such as hiring staff with big recruiting experience will get you his middle finger.  He is a big time coach that knows what he needs in a staff.

[Zeek 16,649]

Hearing Cristobal and Freeze are the top 2 right now according to jboy.

Oregon is scrambling to extend Cristobal. Would like to hear Sarkisian in the mix.

[AUwent 3,748]

51 minutes ago, Mims44 said:

Has Joe Brady ever came out and said, "I don't wanna be a HC"?

 

He seems like the type that'd be a top pick for a lot of people, but I rarely ever hear his name called.

Only thing giving me pause about him is he might jump to the next NFL head coaching opportunity.

Otherwise I’d say hell yes.

[gr82b4au 5,568]

34 minutes ago, Zeek said:

Hearing Cristobal and Freeze are the top 2 right now according to jboy.

Oregon is scrambling to extend Cristobal. Would like to hear Sarkisian in the mix.

I think Freeze is out 

[JMassie11 1,610]

I haven’t posted since spring bc honestly this board has been too much at times. The only logical choice right now is Freeze and I believe it will be Freeze. We know what he did with ole miss and there’s some people I know that are close with that program that said he was basically the fall guy with what happened. He took his time off and look what he’s done with Liberty the last 2 years. Freeze would also likely retain a few that are currently on the staff which would save some money through the entire process. It’s a no brainer 

[AUGoo 2,659]

1 hour ago, Eagle Eye 7 said:

I want to go after a OC in the NFL. . And yes I know all the reason why not because of recruiting. My answer is tell him coming in He has to make coaching hires with big recruiting experience . Anyway just like uat and Clemson , nothing does recruiting better than winning. Just saying. Brady is one but there are others. Most of them making a million or two that would take the shot.  With the deal on Gus we do 10 million out front and 2.5 a year leaves plenty to make a home run hire here. No training time at AU needs a winner out of the gate. Period . 

think Mike Shula would be available?

[The lions roar 119]

Head coach
Team	Auburn
Conference	SEC
Record

Wikipedia page for Billy Napier. Looks like a done deal