Will Muschamp leaving Auburn after one season for another shot at being a head coach? OK, that happens. Muschamp leaving The Plains after just one season for another coordinator job in the same conference or even in the same state? Fire up the heat on Gus Malzahn‘s seat entering 2016.
At least that’s the opinion of al.com columnist Kevin Scarbinsky, who is reporting that, citing sources close to the AU program, the Tigers do not expect Muschamp to return for a second season as Malzahn’s defensive coordinator. The former Florida head coach has been linked to the head-coaching vacancy at South Carolina, with the speculation growing that he may actually be the front-runner to become Steve Spurrier‘s permanent replacement.
Even more distressing, at least from Scarbinsky’s perspective, Muschamp may bolt to become the coordinator at Georgia or, even worse, hated rival Alabama, where he’d replace the new UGA head coach. Regardless, Muschamp divorcing himself from the situation wouldn’t seem to bode well for Malzahn’s long-term future with the Tigers:His departure, if it happens as anticipated, would be the worst thing that could happen to Gus Malzahn.
After watching the program regress for the second straight year, Malzahn will start his fourth season as head coach on the hot seat from Day One. It’s hard to imagine the Tigers competing for the SEC West title next year even with Muschamp on board.
Without him? Good luck. It’ll take serious improvement to keep from going through a head coaching search this time next year.
Practically, Muschamp leaving now would take away the best coach on the staff, whose defense improved throughout the season and gave the Tigers a chance to win in five of the six SEC games they dropped. LSU was the only SEC opponent to score 30 points or more on Auburn in regulation.
To add insult to potential injury, the way Muschamp’s contract is structured would allow him to leave for another job, even a lateral move within the conference, without owing the university a penny in the form of a buyout.
Since winning 12 games and playing for the 2013 BCS title in his first season at Auburn, Malzahn has gone 6-10 in SEC play the past two seasons. More to the point, the Tigers have lost nine of their last 11 conference games, which includes a pair of double-digit Iron Bowl losses.
Playing in the same state and the same division as mighty Alabama, those are the kinds of numbers that will get you fired sooner rather than later -- especially when it appears your top lieutenants are getting set to jump ship ahead of the brewing storm.