Skip to main content
    Auburn defeats Western Kentucky

    Auburn football coaching hot board: Is it Lane Kiffin or bust?

    All eyes are on Lane Kiffin this week.
    • Author:
    • Publish date:

    In this story:

    Auburn Tigers
    Auburn Tigers

    Right now, it's all about Lane Kiffin for Auburn.

    Last night, Jon Sokoloff reported that Lane Kiffin would be stepping down as head coach of Ole Miss following the Egg Bowl and would be making the move to Auburn shortly after.

    In Sokoloff's tweet, he noted that his sources said there has been no official offer made by Auburn to Kiffin.

    He caught a hard ratio by the Lane Train himself on Twitter.

    Despite the trolling on social media, it still feels like John Cohen and the Tigers are still in full pursuit of Kiffin - and if they do not get him?

    Nobody is really sure where the Auburn search will go.

    Here's a look at our updated hot board, with Kiffin at the top and the rumored names underneath him.

    Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss

    Oct 15, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin speaks with quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) during a timeout during the first quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Ole Miss: 23-10

    Overall Record: 84-43

    Head coaching experience: Oakland Raiders, Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic, Ole Miss

    Other experience: Fresno State (assistant), Colorado State (GA), Jacksonville Jaguars (DQC), USC (TE, WR, PGC, OC), Alabama (OC/QB)

    Kiffin has recently been having some fun online trolling a report that he was quitting Ole Miss and leaving for Auburn after the Egg Bowl. However, there has yet to be a public announcement on whether or not he signed the extension that the Rebels offered him a week ago... on top of that, he's not been emphatic about not leaving Mississippi in his responses to media questions about the Tigers' job opening. 

    If the Tigers do not get Kiffin, here are some other names that could be floating around:

    Hugh Freeze - Liberty

    Dec 18, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; Liberty Flames head coach Hugh Freeze watches his defense on the field in the first quarter during the 2021 LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Liberty: 34-13

    Overall Record: 75-45

    Head coaching experience: Lambuth, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, Liberty

    Other experience: Ole Miss (TE), Arkansas State (OC)

    After losing his last two games to inferior opponents, the hype around Freeze as a second option has died down.

    Dabo Swinney - Clemson

    Nov 12, 2022; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney looks on during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Clemson: 159-37

    Overall Record: 159-37

    Head coaching experience: Clemson

    Other experience: Alabama (GA, WR, TE), Clemson (WR, AHC, OC)

    There's little to no chance Swinney makes a move away from Clemson, but there will likely be rumors spread about conversations with Auburn.

    James Franklin - Penn State

    Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Penn State: 75-36

    Overall Record: 99-51

    Head coaching experience: Vanderbilt, Penn State

    Other experience: Kutztown (WR), East Stroudsburg (DB), Rosklide Kings (OC), James Madison (WR), Washington State (TE), Idaho State (WR), Maryland (WR), Green Bay Packers (WR), Kansas State (OC, QB), Maryland (AHC, OC, QB)

    Franklin's name has recently surfaced in the coaching search rumor mill.

    Luke Fickell - Cincinnati

    Sep 24, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Cincinnati: 56-17

    Overall Record: 62-24

    Head coaching experience: Ohio State (Interim), Cincinnati

    Other experience: Ohio State (GA, ST, LB, DC, Interim HC), Akron (DL)

    Fickell would be a big name hire, but nobody knows if there would even be interest from his camp.

    Pros: Fickell brought a Group of Five team to the College Football Playoff for the first time since the playoff's inception.

    Cons: Has never coached in the south, no experience in the SEC, recruiting and NIL prowess is somewhat questionable.

    Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers

    Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

    Record at Carolina: 11-27

    Overall Record: 47-43 (NCAA), 11-27 (NFL)

    Head coaching experience: Temple, Baylor, Carolina Panthers

    Other experience: Penn State (Assistant), Albright (LB), Buffalo (DL), UCLA (DL), Western Carolina (ST, LB, AHC), Temple (DL, QB, RC, TE, OC), New York Giants (AOL)

    Rhule is similar to Fickell in the fact that he has proven he can coach and win but has yet to make his way into the SEC landscape.

    Curious to see the fanbase reaction from Auburn, as well.

    Auburn opens as massive underdog against Alabama

    Lane Kiffin: ' That's news to me, Jon'

    A look at Auburn's depth chart heading into the Iron Bowl

    Auburn may be headed to a bowl game, even if they finish 5-7

    Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

    Join the Discord

    Follow Auburn Daily on Twitter

    Like Auburn Daily on Facebook

    Subscribe to Locked On Auburn on YouTube

    Buy Auburn Daily Merch

    © 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.