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Bowl season is a time for coaches to make names for themselves on national stages, for them to audition for still-open vacancies.
Notable SEC coaches have already ridden the carousel, however, others remain that could make career jumps elsewhere in the SEC or around the country.
Saturday Down South takes a look at coaches who could be auditioning for jobs in the coming weeks.
Gus Malzahn, head coach, Auburn: Malzahn signed an extension last winter, and is not expected to depart after Auburn’s appearance in the Outback Bowl on Thursday. However, Malzahn has been linked to several NFL openings during the past year. He told reporters recently that college football fits him, but a NFL offer may come along that’s too good to pass up.
D.J. Durkin, defensive coordinator, Florida: Durkin’s name has been linked the opening at Texas A&M, but another potential landing spot opened this weekend with the news that San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh would accept the head coaching vacancy at Michigan. It has been speculated that Durkin could leave the SEC and join Harbaugh in Ann Arbor. The second-year Florida coordinator needs a good outing in the Birmingham Bowl.
Rhett Lashlee, offensive coordinator, Auburn: Lashlee was reportedly a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Tulsa, but took his name out of the running earlier this month. While the 31-year-old Malzahn protege is expected to stay at Auburn next season, Lashlee’s name will come up for other coordinator or head coaching jobs.
Lane Kiffin, offensive coordinator, Alabama: 2014 served as a turnaround year for Kiffin, who miraculously rehabilitated his image under Nick Saban, all the while igniting Alabama’s offense. His departure from Tennessee, coupled with the lack of success at USC, made Kiffin a laughingstock. Perception around him has changed, and Kiffin should be a hot commodity on the coaching market in coming years.
Jake Spavital, offensive coordinator, Texas A&M: Spavital is lauded as an up-and-coming playcaller, having served under offensive minds such as Gus Malzahn, Dana Holgerson and now Kevin Sumlin. In his first game as offensive coordinator, Spavital’s Johnny Manziel-led offense exploded for 52 points against Duke. The Aggies fielded a pedestrian offense in 2014 — outside of performances at South Carolina and Auburn — but Spavital’s name will be thrown around for vacancies in coming years.
Mario Cristobal, offensive line coach, Alabama: The former FIU head coach began his coaching career at Miami (FL) under Butch Davis, and Cristobal spent another stint in South Florida under Larry Coker. Current Hurricanes head coach Al Golden is believed to be fighting for his job, and while Davis has openly expressed his interest in returning to Miami, Cristobal could be a legitimate candidate for the job.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
