Auburn coaching nominees: Lane Kiffin, Hugh Freeze among leading options to replace Bryan Harsin

It’s another week in the middle of the 2022 college football season, so it must have been Auburn turn. Bryan Harsin became the sixth coach firedthis after a 41-27 loss Arkansas That dropped him to 3-10 in his last 13 games and 1-9 in his last 10 against Power Five opponents.

Harsin’s teams were competitive but just not good enough where alone in the SEC this season Tennessee turned around Be miss makes waves, and both Alabama and Georgia remain the crème de la crème.

Harsin would probably still be busy if he had beaten Bama last season. That seems like 37 years ago to me. In a position he frequently finds himself in, Auburn is poised to move on.

Athletic director Alan Greene, the man who hired Harsin, resigned a week before the season. The Tigers seem to be in the process of finding names of the state of Mississippi John Cohen in the same role.

Right from the start, Harsin seemed like an out of place. A trainer who had spent most of his career in the west descended into the belly of the southern beast. In the end it ate him up. Good news for Harsin: he seems to be a good fit State of Arizona or Coloradoa couple of programs with vacancies, both of which need to be revised.

The coach hunt goes wild as agents try to find their boys for extensions, raises and some key national jobs. Insiders will lobby for her husband. Anything is possible in a place that has been looking for its second coach since 2020.

Auburn coaching candidates

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss coach: Something tells me that super agent Jimmy Sexton is going to use that listing alone for a huge expansion for Kiffin – at least. Auburn probably has more resources and more heritage than Ole Miss, but this is a big decision for Kiffin with the Tigers hierarchy centered on him. Those are two straight turnarounds that we’ve seen Kiffin execute on FAU and Ole Miss. The Rebels have had their best start to the season since 1962. Auburn would be the toughest of them all because Kiffin’s old boss is right down the street.

hugh freeze, freedom Coaches: Freeze wants it so bad he’d crawl to Auburn on his hands and knees. You could say the 53-year-old has paid his penance for misdeeds; others might disagree. Additionally, he found success at Liberty, posting a 33–12 aggregate win with a 7–1 record in his fourth season. This is a match made in Jimmy Rane’s back room. Freeze is desperate to get back in, which puts a little pressure on those shadowy boosters. But the guy can coach. Isn’t that what Auburn needs more than anything right now? Freeze recently agreed to a new eight-year deal that will pay him $40 million guaranteed through 2030.

Kenny Dillingham, Oregon Offensive Coordinator: If you want to risk it, that’s your type. In 2019, as a 29-year-old, Dillingham was the offensive coordinator of Gus Malzahn’s last good team at Auburn. The Tigers won nine games, beat three top-20 teams (including Alabama) and averaged 33 points per game. Dillingham gave birth to them Bo Nix Era (16 touchdowns as a freshman). The two reunited in Oregon, where Nix has matured with the Ducks as a side contender for the Heisman Trophy. There’s a lot to like for Auburn if you want to go extremely young.

Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina Coaches: I ask again: Why doesn’t Chadwell have a better job? Nearing the fourth anniversary of his hiring, the Chanticleers are 37-20 this season under Chadwell with a 7-1 mark. Auburn would likely have Chadwell change his assistants to look more like an SEC operative, but there’s no question what he did when he led a 5-7 team in 2019 to a program that hasn’t lasted since March 29 -4 is.

Jeff Grimes, Baylor Offensive Coordinator: The Grimes-Auburn tie coached the Tigers’ offensive line from 2009 to 2012 under Gene Chizik. This run includes a national championship. Since then, Grimes has bounced around but has grown into one of the most respected play callers in the game. In his last year as From us Offensive coordinator, the Cougars averaged more than 43 points. Last season, Baylor won the Big 12 by averaging 31 points per game. Offensive tackle Connor Galvin was All-Big 12. His star may have darkened as the Bears slipped to 5-3 this season.

Matt Rhule, former Baylor, Temple, Carolina Panthers coach: All signs point to Rhule sitting out 2023, reviewing his options and maybe watching some TV. This turnaround artist should be Auburn’s #1 target, but he’s smart enough not to get involved with the invaders on The Plains. His next job should be somewhere where he’s absolutely set to win (think Lincoln Riley at USC). Still, Auburn has to call and get Rhule to say no for what should be $7-8 million a year.

Deion Sanders, Jackson State Coaches: On 60 Minutes a few weeks ago, Coach Prime said he needed to consider a Power Five job “right away.” The Question: Would Auburn Consider Coach Prime. We recorded Sanders’ candidacy for a power five roll. Despite his flamboyant exterior, he has the recruiting and tactical skills to take on a large program. Jackson State is currently fourth in FCS scoring offense and first in scoring defense.

Kevin Steele, Miami Defense Coordinator: Steele is the former Auburn caretaker manager who some say was promised the job after Malzahn was fired. While things haven’t gone well in Miami this season, Steele’s complete works is impressive. He’ll have strong support, but at age 64, is this the guy Auburn wants to rebuild with?

See what our Auburn Undercover experts from 247Sports have to say about Harsin’s replacement in theirs Hot Board 1.0 now that the Tigers’ coaching search has officially begun.