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The search for Auburn’s defensive coordinator continues after Florida State’s Charles Kelly turned down the position last week. No new serious contenders have emerged since then, although South Florida defensive coordinator Tom Allen has been discussed.
Gus Malzahn wants a new defensive coordinator on staff sooner rather than later. Ideally, Malzahn would have loved to have had someone in place last week before the recruiting dead period hit. For now, Auburn is back to square one.
This may be a good thing. The last thing Auburn wants is a hastily made hire who is underqualified and unprepared to handle the job. Because taking over at the helm of Auburn’s defense – and being able to coach it to successfully – will be no easy feat.
First, the new defensive coordinator, whoever that ends up being, will have to deal with the inevitable departure of some of the unit’s best players. Cassanova McKinzy, Kris Frost, and Justin Garrett are expected to be gone. Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson could also be considering a move. Additionally, there’s also always the possibility of players transferring away from Auburn, especially after a tumultuous 6-6 season.
The new defensive coordinator will have a young and inexperienced first group to work with in 2016. Another challenge will come in recruiting, both in retaining and gaining recruits. Over half of Auburn’s current commitments are defensive players, and the Tigers will need to pursue more. The defensive coordinator is going to have an equally hard sell, if not harder, in getting recruits to see the value in playing at Auburn, to convince them that Auburn is a place which can be successful at a national level.
What gets in the way of that message? Personnel turnover. This will be the fifth Auburn defensive coordinator in six years. Players have had to learn new systems, build new relationships, and play for someone different almost every single year. As a player and as a new defensive coordinator, that’s not the history you want to face. Building a culture and gaining respect is very difficult when the team isn’t even sure you’ll still be there by season’s end.
It’s truly a shame that Auburn is once again looking for someone to head its defense, especially since it’s clear Will Muschamp had something of a plan to get the Tigers defense back on top. But that plan has been cut abruptly short, and Auburn can only hope the next hire can either continue that plan of improvement or put in place an even better one.
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
