Firing Malzahn is not the right move for Auburn

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go again……..we are only three games into the 2018 season and message boards are already lighting up with the words “Fire Gus” following yesterdays loss to LSU dropping Auburn to 2-1 on the season.

During Malzahns tenure as Head Coach for Auburn he has led the Tigers to two SEC Championship Games. One National Championship Game. and  two New Year Six Bowls. however he is also 2-4 against LSU. 2-3 against Alabama. and 2-3 against Georgia. all added together Malzahn is 6-10 against Auburns 3 biggest rivals.

heres a look at Malzahns accomplishments during his Tenure at Auburn 2013-present

2013 12-2 SEC Championship

2014 8-5

2015 6-6

2016 8-5

2017 10-4

Malzahns record as Head Coach at Auburn is currently 47-22

And yet Auburn fans have been calling for his head for the past-three seasons  and the biggest reason is as stated above he is 6-10 against Auburns three biggest rivals. but trust me Auburn firing a coach who has led you to two SEC Championship games. and has won atleast two out of three against Alabama and Georgia isn’t the right move.

 

Lets say Auburn does come up with the money for Malzahns buyout and ends up axing him who do they get as a replacement? lets look at who Auburn fans would have on their list

1.Bobby Petrino , age 57, Current HC of Louisville

2.Will Muschamp, age 47, Current HC of South Carolina

3.Chip Kelly, age 54, Current HC of UCLA

4.Gary Patterson, age 57, Current HC of TCU

5.Mike Bobo, age 44, Current HC of Colorado State

6.Lane Kiffin, age 43, Current HC of Florida Atlantic

7.Chris Hatcher, age 45, Current HC of Samford

8.John Grass, age 50, Current HC of Jacksonville State

9.Neal Brown, age 38, Current HC of Troy

 

No doubt Petrino and Muschamp would be the first two names Auburn would call up and it is no secret that the majority of the Auburn fanbase was having wet dreams of Petrino possibly returning to the plains as Head Coach during the 3-9 fiasco of 2012. Muschamp is another fan favorite among Tiger fans. but from what I can tell the boat has sailed on both Head Coaches especially with Muschamp.

Chip Kelly has gained a lot of favoritism among Auburn Fans during the last three seasons. but its hard to see someone who has never coached in the SEC coming to Auburn and getting involved in recruiting battles with Nick Saban.

As for Gary Patterson this is another that Auburn Fans have held out hope for during the last two coaching searches. but the guy has it made at TCU and he is not leaving TCU for Auburn.

As far as up and comers Lane Kiffin would be the most interesting choice he’s not going to stay at Florida Atlantic much longer. but he isn’t really much better than Malzahn which means Auburn would take a chance of doing another coaching search 3-4 years later.

 

Bottom line Auburn is stuck with Malzahn for the next two-three years even if those next two-three include more losses to Alabama. Georgia. and LSU