Report: Auburn interested in current SEC offensive coordinator to fill open OC job

Rumors are swirling around the open Auburn offensive coordinator position, but the newest name in the rumor mill is a bit surprising.

According to 247Sports, the leader in the race to replace the departed Rhett Lashlee could be Texas A&M OC Noel Mazzone:

Sources tell @247Sports that Texas A&M OC Noel Mazzone in mix – and could be leader – in Auburn OC search.

— Travis Haney (@travhaney) January 19, 2017

Mazzone was Auburn OC from 1999-2001. Source says he's been a candidate from day one. A hire expected by end of week.

— Travis Haney (@travhaney) January 19, 2017

However, because Mazzone has a $600K buyout per season left on his contract and is signed through 2018, he’d have to pay $1.2 million to the Aggies in order to leave for another SEC squad.

That means Auburn would have to make quite an offer to make the school’s old offensive coordinator return in 2017:

Mazzone currently recruiting in Houston. Not expecting him to leave for Auburn unless they come with hefty offer https://t.co/z4r66XGiSf

— Taylor Hamm (@TaylorHamm247) January 19, 2017

Whether Auburn really wants Mazzone back that badly remains to be seen. That’s quite a price to pay for a coordinator.