Why would Bob Stoops even consider replacing Gus Malzahn at Auburn?

An Auburn mega-booster may want Bob Stoops to replace Gus Malzahn if the Tigers don’t beat Alabama this year, but it takes two to tango.

Gus Malzahn is no stranger to the hot seat, as four seasons with eight wins or fewer in the last five campaigns falls way short of expectations at Auburn. According to Sports By Brooks, Auburn super-booster Jimmy Rane is ready to target former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to replace Malzahn if the Tigers don’t beat Alabama this year.

The Tigers are off to a 3-0 start this year, to cool the heat on Malzahn’s seat a bit heading into a big game against Texas A&M on Saturday.

Rane is the richest man in the state of Alabama. According to Forbes the founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, which makes decks, fences and other treated wood products, is worth $900 million.

So in theory, he’s got the money to pony up and pay Malzahn’s buyout.

Stoops is the head coach and general manager of the Dallas Renegades of the rebooted XFL, which starts play next spring. During a radio appearance with Clay Travis last Friday, Stoops was asked about the possibility he would return to coaching.

"“Well we’ll see,” “I believe when I stepped away, if I wanted to continue to coach in college, I would’ve stayed at Oklahoma. I just felt I had run my course there, and, you know, just needed some time and space of my own. And I got that. Right now I’m excited about the adventure going into the XFL. Starting from scratch is really exciting as well.”"

Stoops did not close the door on a return to coaching. But Malzahn got a seven-year, $49 million contract on the heels of a 10-win season in 2017. But after last year’s 8-5 campaign an effort by some high-profile Auburn boosters to gather money for his $30 million buyout failed. Rane getting involved now may change that equation, but that is a substantial buyout.

Buying out Malzahn is one thing. Convincing Stoops to return to coaching on the college level is one thing. But there may not be enough money in the world to convince him to return at a place like Auburn.