So here we are a few days later and the "what if" became reality. I've said for quite some time that I want the splash, home run hire. Someone that makes the college football world take notice and say Auburn just got serious about winning. We never have in my lifetime and trust me, that's a long time. There's more than a few names out there that would check the boxes; however, I don't trust anyone in our administration to even try. These are not the brightest bulbs on the tree. Let's face it, the only thing taking the heat off Auburn right now for having to pay a coach $21 mil just to leave, is another SEC team losing any shot at a national championship because one of their players threw a shoe.
So since Urban, Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll or Knute Rockne ain't coming, I've tempered my expectations. Some of the names already being tossed out there don't thrill me. Give Kevin Steele a shot? Sweet Haysus, the man was 9-36 (1-31 Big 12) at Baylor. Hugh Freeze? He averaged 5 losses a year at Ole Miss, was 1-3 against Gus and was pretty much black balled by Sankey when Saban thought about bringing him on board. Lane Kiffin? Why? He needs another short-lived coaching stop on his resume?
But maybe that's what we settle for. Probably will be. I will say that just about anyone, other than Steele, would breathe much needed, new life into this program. Just a change in the environment, a new philosophy or a different voice in their ears might breed success in the short term. It did with just about every single previous coach at Auburn. But it's the long term I'm worried about. If we hire Freeze or Kiffin or any number of names being thrown out, are we right back here in a few years having the same conversations? I'd wager we are. We're Auburn.
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