Auburn going old school? Kevin Steele's pitch reportedly includes long-time SEC OC
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.
I might get behind Steele to be the new head coach, but I think he needs to get somebody better than Bobo to lead the offense. I just don’t know if Mike Bobo is the guy.
Maybe 10 years ago, but you’re right not now. Auburn has the brand to be a flashy high flying offense. Bobo doesn’t run that, which is ok but not hitting the ceiling that I think Auburn has potential for.
I think as long as Auburn has RB’s like Tank in the fold Bobo certainly isn’t the worst option (low floor, average ceiling kind of guy). Ultimately he’s an OC who will get you by, but if your defense isn’t a top 5 defense year in year out then he’s not going to take you to the mountain top.
This is a joke, right?
Mike Bobo is Steele’s pitch to fix the offense. Oh gosh, how can he be a serious candidate? This proves he didn’t learn from his 9 win career as a HC. If the BOTs and the AD buy this load of crap, then they should be fired. This coaching search would be comical if it weren’t real.
The only thing that be more comical than Bobo is of his pitch included Rhett Lashlee or Tony Franklin.
Question to warbuzzard fans, I know Bama doesn’t want to hear this but serious question…why is Sark not a top candidate?
I have no idea why Sark or Kiffin are not candidates 1 and 1a and anything else is just crazy. Cristobal is a great recruiter but his in game decisions are questionable.
Because after the buyout, AU isn’t paying that kind of money.
Auburn short of money? Thats funny.
Not willing to pay and short of money is 2 different things. I can afford to pay cash for a new Mercedes, instead I bought a new Corolla that serves my purposes just as well.
Answer to dogcrap fan. We don’t know.
ouch
Because Auburn isn’t in a dry county.
Sark is reportedly the coach in waiting at Bama.
Well I don’t see him waiting another 10 years for Saban to keel over and Nick sure doesn’t look like a man cruising towards the retirement sunset…
Who reported that?
Yeah, I missed that report. Have not even heard that as a rumor…just as wishful thinking.
Yep, because Chad Morris was really a great success. Left lane right into the ditch.
As long as the search list doesn’t solely consist of Bill Clark until he either accepts or turns down the job, the search is a joke.
Fvck that guy. He actively pointed his high school players to “anywhere but Auburn” He negative recruits Auburn every year of his life. He’s a bammerneck through and through.
Source? I’m interested to read it. That being said, after UAT/Paul Bryant Jr. made sure UAB football was shut down right after his first year, I highly doubt he has any love for them now regardless.
Just how many times is Clark recruiting against AU? If it is more than twice in 3 years, that may explain AU’s lack of success.
Being your RB’s with you if this happens.
Bring
Just as long as it isn’t Jim Chaney
Why hire one failed head coach when you can hire two?
Would somebody at AU make up their minds and hire Steele instead of dragging out what was a already a known decision?
Auburn must think they are in the NFL. Keep hiring retreads until the GM gets canned.
Better off keeping the Chazzle Dazzle offense in town.
The game has certainly evolved since Mike Bobo was producing top rated SEC offenses under Mark Richt, but his last couple of UGA offenses were at the top of the conference, and the strength of those teams.
He developed Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray and David Green. Something that was always lacking under Malzahn.
Bobo is a South GA boy and a former SEC QB with strong recruiting ties to the state. Auburn could do a lot worse than Mike Bobo.
Auburn Search Committee – SEARCH!!
This reminds me of the Orgeron hire at LSU.
LOL yeah Hire Steele and become the laughing stock of the SEC.
I wonder if the rumors are true about Bobby Lowder being the one who pulled the strings on the Malzahn firing, in order to give Steele the job are true.
Finebaum suggested that Steele had pulled a coup, working to undermine Malzahn and “Steele” his job. Seems like a weasel.
Phil Fulmer says naw, son, folks don’t do stuff like that….