Auburn going old school? Kevin Steele’s pitch reportedly includes long-time SEC OC
By Keith Farner
Published:
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who has been the interim coach since Sunday, has been a consistent name mentioned in the coaching search to find a permanent replacement for Gus Malzahn.
Although the Tigers have formed a search committee, it’s unclear where Steele stands in the pecking order of possible candidates, along with names such as Louisiana’s Billy Napier and Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian now that Oregon coach Mario Cristobal received a contract extension.
But according to a report from Football Scoop, part of Steele’s pitch to keep the job on a permanent basis is a pledge to help Auburn finish its 2021 signing class strong on the recruiting trail — the Tigers signed 12 players on Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period — and also to assemble a top-end staff.
Multiple sources said part of Steele’s pitch included potentially adding current South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, the former Georgia quarterback and play-caller as well as previous Colorado State head coach, to Steele’s Auburn staff. South Carolina is planning to play in a bowl game, which Bobo would presumably coach in, but his future in South Carolina is unclear as new coach Shane Beamer assembles his staff and Bobo’s interim coach title goes away.
Bobo was credited with bringing some variety and creativity to the play-calling with the Gamecocks this past season in his first year there, and that offense helped RB Kevin Harris rush for 1,138 yards. But the rest of the offense, particularly at complimentary receiver behind Shi Smith, struggled, as did the quarterback development.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
