The respect the college football world has for Will Muschamp was evident even before he was fired, and it showed itself in a weird manner. As the Florida Gators floundered yet again in 2014, speculation started very early about where Muschamp would be running a defense in 2015.

Now back at Auburn for a second run as defensive coordinator, Muschamp brings with him a repuation as one of the best defensive coaches and, perhaps just as importantly, one of the best recruiters in the game. In six of his nine years as either a coordinator or head coach, Muschamp has fielded a top-20 scoring defense. In his four years as the head man at Florida, three of his recruiting classes landed in the top 10 of national rankings.

Muschamp’s defenses are fast and physical, playing out of a traditional 4-3 defense. He brings the heat, too. Before these last two years at Florida, when the Gators were a dysfunctional mess on the field, Muschamp’s defenses averaged about 30 sacks per year, and his team’s have given up no more than 23.7 points per game or 5.3 yards per play.

That productivity is tied right to his ability to recruit. Texas had a top-10 class in all three of Muschamp’s years as coordinator there, and Auburn ranked 10th and 11th in Muschamp’s previous two-year stint as coordinator on the Plains.

Muschamp’s scheme has been a blend of several influences over the years, taking from Nick Saban, as well as teams like Stanford and Boise State, where Muschamp plucked assistants from. However, while Muschamp’s schematic changes will be important, building depth on the defensive side of the ball will be just as vital.

Part of that will come with Auburn simply being healthier next year. Muschamp will have an excellent pass-rushing weapon in his arsenal that Ellis Johnson didn’t have this year: Carl Lawson. The sophomore, who returned to practice this week after missing the entire season with an ACL injury, was expected to blossom into a star. He’ll have that chance under Muschamp, paired alongside Montravius Adams, a beast in the middle.

Perhaps the best part of the GusChamp marriage is that Muschamp will only have to worry about one side of the ball. He’s proven his ability to construct top-tier defenses throughout his career. His downfall at Florida was an inability to pick or develop the right quarterback and a faulty offensive line.

Gus Malzahn has those things taken care of. All Muschamp has to do is get the defense ready to compete at the top of the SEC.