Auburn football: Hugh Freeze and 5 replacements for Gus Malzahn as Tigers head coach

This would be a very interesting development in the Iron Bowl

Steve Sarkisian might not be listed as a head-coaching candidate for the position by Yahoo’s Pete Thamel, but this is a job Sarkisian may have serious interest in. The former Washington Huskies and USC Trojans head coach has rehabilitated his coaching reputation on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff, as well as a two-year stint as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator in the NFL.

Sarkisian could have been a head coach this season, but did not find the right spot for him. Simply put, he will have plenty of head-coaching options in 2021, college or pro. He may want to stay in Tuscaloosa if he is indeed the heir apparent to Saban at Alabama. Keep in mind Sarkisian was the guy who destroyed the Tigers in this year’s Iron Bowl, as Saban was ruled out due to COVID-19.

If Sarkisian were to leave Alabama for Auburn, this would be one of the greatest heel turns in SEC football history. Saban was instrumental in helping Sarkisian get his reputation turned around. While everybody wants Sarkisian to get his next shot as a head coach, leaving Alabama for Auburn with no job in between might ruin his coaching relationship with his current mentor in Saban.

From a schematic standpoint, Sarkisian would be a fantastic head-coaching hire for Auburn. He has routinely carved up SEC defenses in his time calling plays for the Crimson Tide. Building a staff will not be an issue for him, given his coaching connections. What could be a bit of a snag is his recruiting acumen in the southeast. Keep in mind he did cut his teeth out on the West Coast.