Jackson State Head Coach Deion Sanders

With how successful Deion Sanders has been at Jackson State, he’s bound for bigger and better. With a current record of 23-5 and a conference record of 14-2, Sanders has dominated the SWAC. His name alone reels in high level recruits to a smaller school. Now, imagine if he’s at the SEC level? Sanders should be either target 1A or 1B for the Tigers.

Alabama Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien

If Sanders is 1A, then O’Brien should be 1B. If they can keep him in the state of Alabama and steal him from Nick Saban, that’s a win in itself. O’Brien is a sharp offensive mind that’s also succeeded as a head coach under dire circumstances. At Penn State under sanctions, he amassed a record of 15-9. He’s a conventional coach that could help Auburn return to being a threat in the SEC.

Baylor Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes

Jeff Grimes is an offensive mastermind. Between 2018-2020 at BYU, Grimes’ offense averaged 444.7 yards per game. Last season with Baylor, they averaged 423.5 yards per game and are currently averaging 456.3 yards per game. He also spent time at Auburn as the offensive line coach from 2009-12. His offensive scheme and recruiting prowess should be enough for Auburn to give him an interview.

Georgia Analyst Mike Bobo

If all the top tier candidates take other jobs or don’t leave their programs, then Mike Bobo is a safe acquisition. When he was the OC at Auburn in 2021, he had the Tigers averaging 402.5 yards per game. In his career as a head guy, Bobo doesn’t have the shiniest record. He went 28-35 at Colorado State between 2015-2019 and as the interim head coach at South Carolina was 0-3. He’s a safe choice, but definitely not the one Auburn fans want.

Former LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron

Why not? Orgeron has a fat stack of cash from his LSU buyout, and I have to guess he is nipping at the bud to get back into coaching. He’s a southern guy who’s held jobs at LSU and Ole Miss. He seems like an out of the box hire, but that’s what Auburn could use. Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin seemed like by-the-book stiffs and a wild southerner who can recruit with the best of them would be a solid addition.

Georgia Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken

Monken’s name has swirled for other jobs like Georgia Tech and Wisconsin, but Auburn could be a solid fit. To survive in the SEC, you need an offense. Monken has been with the Bulldogs since 2020, and his offense is averaging 465.8 yards per game. He has experience as a head coach, but he’s not the “win now” guy. He’ll methodically build the program back, so if that’s what Auburn wants, then he’s the man.

Missouri State Head Coach Bobby Petrino

Hasn’t Bobby Petrino paid for his sins as a cheater? Let’s get him back to the SEC. He’s taken Missouri State to the FCS playoffs two years in a row and has a coaching record of 134-65. In the SEC with Arkansas from 2008-2011, Petrino went 34-17 and 2-1 in bowl games. I’d love to see this crazy, old bastard back coaching in the spotlight.

Former Carolina Panthers Head Coach Matt Rhule

When a handful of jobs opened, I brought Rhule’s name up, but he was still coaching the Panthers. Now, Rhule is unemployed. Rumors have circulated that Rhule will become an analyst with a large network, but I think that coaching is where he belongs. In his two stints as a head coach with Temple and Baylor, Rhule went 47-43 with three ten-win seasons.

Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell

This feels like a bit of an odd candidate, but I think Matt Campbell’s seat is getting warm. Campbell has the Cyclones at 3-5 this season and 0-5 in Big 12 play. He’s 2-3 in bowl games with Iowa State, but does have five winning seasons. Where the issue lies is that Iowa State has never advanced further than 9-3 with Campbell at the helm. He’s been stagnant and a change would benefit the three parties in question-Auburn, Iowa State, and Matt Campbell.

Auburn Interim Head Coach Cadillac Williams

While there is a plethora of head coaching options, Auburn could always promote Cadillac Williams to be the full-time head coach. Cadillac is an Auburn alum and has been on staff since 2019 as the running backs coach. Maybe promoting someone who knows the program like Williams could boost morale and help in recruiting.