ESPN reporter Chris Low has a pulse on the Auburn situation not only from his many years covering the SEC, but also because he spoke with Bryan Harsin last week while the Auburn coach was on vacation.

Low was a guest on WJOX out of Birmingham, Alabama on “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning.” If Auburn, in fact, moves on from Harsin, Low offered his perspective on candidates to replace Harsin.

“What do the power brokers want, who do they want,” Low said. “Do they want someone with Auburn ties specifically? Do they want someone who’s going to hang out with them every week so they can talk to every week. Do they want someone who’s been in the SEC, has recruited in the SEC, I mean all these different factors are going to weigh in. So I think some of the same names you’re going to hear.”

Low then brought up Liberty coach Hugh Freeze, and shared his background from being the Ole Miss coach and having a successful run previously in the SEC.

“At some point, I think Hugh Freeze has paid his penalty,” Low said. “I mean Bruce Pearl went back to Auburn and was fire for unethical conduct at Tennessee. How much does he unify that fan base with what he’s done. Look at the job he’s done.”

Former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who was in play about a year ago, could be another candidate Low said as he’s now the defensive coordinator at Miami. Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy is another option, as is Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

Low also said you can’t rule out Lane Kiffin even though he has a large buyout.

“I still think this is a job that you can get a good football coach and get somebody who can come in there and someone who knows it can be done and who can recruit at a high level,” Low said.