Auburn podcast says the Tigers 'must' hire Chris Kiffin to be next defensive coordinator

Should the Tigers hire Chris Kiffin to be their next defensive coordinator?

Author:
Lance Dawe
Publish date:
Jan 11, 2024 2:46 PM EST

In this story:

Auburn is currently in search of a defensive coordinator.

After one season with the Tigers, Ron Roberts was hired by the Florida Gators as executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

In his lone year at Auburn, Roberts' fielded a defense that was average by league standards. The Tigers finished No. 8 in total defense, No. 10 in yards per play, No. 11 in rush defense and No. 3 in pass defense.

Now that he has departed, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are in search of a replacement.

The biggest name that has floated around the rumor mill has been Chris Kiffin, who was a defensive line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator with Hugh Freeze at Arkansas State and Ole Miss. Since leaving the program with Freeze, Kiffin spent one season as defensive coordinator for the Florida Atlantic Owls and then departed for the NFL. Kiffin took various defensive positions for the San Francisco 49ers (pass rush specialist), the Cleveland Browns (defensive line coach), and the Houston Texans, where he is currently linebackers coach.

Zac Blackerby of the Locked On Auburn podcast recently released an episode claiming that the Tigers "must" hire Chris Kiffin as their next defensive coordinator.

Blackerby pointed to Kiffin's experience with Freeze and track record in the NFL as the two main reasons Auburn should pursue him.

"I think pass rush is going to be a problem," Blackerby said. "The fact that he was elected one of the 32 guys in the world to be over the pass rush for an NFL team, I think that says a lot. Combine that with what he was able to do under Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss - I mean, we all remember the 'Landshark Defense,' and it was really annoying, but it'd be cool if you were a fan pulling for it... I just picture that kind of energy and vibe inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, and with the branding and the Auburn family getting behind these types of things... I think it would be electric."