Auburn coaching search: USA Today names 9 candidates to replace Hugh Freeze

Auburn has entered the coaching carousel. They were the latest program to fire their head coach over the weekend, moving on from Hugh Freeze.

Now, USA Today’s Paul Myerberg has released his hot board of possible candidates down on The Plains. It features nine names, and each one brings a little something special to the table that could rile up Tigers fans.

In addition to Myerberg, On3’s Pete Nakos and AuburnSports, among others, have also put out lists since Freeze was fired. Check out his below, and see which coaches could be in the running to takeover at Auburn as they look to get back to championship form in the future.

Alex Golesh, South Florida

Golesh is one of the favorites it seems, championed among most hot boards right now. Coaching from out of the Group of Five, he’s accumulated a record of 20-14 (.588) so far with USF. His resumé is a diverse one due to his time at Tennessee, and it could make him an ideal candidate to take this job for the Tigers.

Myerberg: “Golesh spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee before getting hired at South Florida, where he posted back-to-back seven-win seasons before putting the Bulls on the national map with a win this September against Florida. … (He’s) one of the fastest-rising names in the profession.”

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

Key’s coaching at his alma mater in Georgia Tech, and he’s 26-17 (.605) to this point as a head coach, including being 8-1 (.889) so far this fall with the Yellow Jackets. That work, as well as a resumé that includes past experience in the region and conference, could have him in consideration to be brought to the SEC.

Myerberg: “Key is in an enviable situation at Georgia Tech, with immense job security, deep ties to the program and on-field success the program hasn’t matched in nearly 50 years. In other words, the former Tech offensive lineman may not be going anywhere.”

Rhett Lashlee, SMU

What Lashlee has pulled off in Dallas has been nothing short of incredible. Coming off a major win over Miami, he’s already been linked to Arkansas after their firing of Sam Pittman. He just signed a massive extension with SMU, but perhaps the prospect of coaching in the SEC could change his mind.

Myerberg: “Lashlee is a young, offense-minded coach, like Golesh, but with Power Four experience and a College Football Playoff berth on his resumé. He signed an extension with the Mustangs last week, but that might not dissuade the Tigers if they decide he is the guy.”

Manny Diaz, Duke

Diaz wouldn’t be the sexy pick, even if his hair is borderline perfect each time he steps on the field. Jokes aside, he’s built Duke into a formidable contender, and his past experiences round him out as a fascinating candidate. Auburn would be an interesting step for him.

Myerberg: “His defensive background makes Diaz a wild card in this search and a strong second-tier option if Auburn misses on a few of the trendier names in the mix. … The work he’s done so far at Duke should make Diaz a legitimate candidate, though he’s more likely to land somewhere outside of the SEC if he does leave the Blue Devils.”

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

Dillingham is one of the more exciting younger coaches in college football right now, being 20-15 (.571) overall, but 17-6 (.739) the past two seasons so far, at his alma mater in Tempe. His year of prior experience with the Tigers in 2019 could make this a viable destination for him.

Myerberg: “Dillingham could be pulled away from Tempe for the right opportunity. That spot might be Auburn, where he’s still remembered for his one year as offensive coordinator in 2019 — the Tigers averaged 33.2 points per game and haven’t sniffed that number in the years since.”

Dan Mullen, UNLV

It feels inevitable that Mullen will return to the SEC eventually. His hire may bring memories back of Freeze’s arrival, and that might make him an undesirable candidate for some Tigers fans. Still, Mullen might be an underrated pick for the job if he’s chosen.

Myerberg: “Mullen might not find a better reentry point to the SEC unless he waits for the Mississippi State job to reopen, though that wouldn’t be until after next season at the earliest. … He’s deeply experienced, knows exactly how the SEC operates and might be the highest-floor candidate on the Tigers’ early list.”

Jon Sumrall, Tulane

Sumrall is a name that continuously has come up here, even before the firing of Freeze. His career so far has seen him accumulate plenty of background in the conference, but his 38-11 (.776) over four years as a head coach to this point at Troy and Tulane is what makes him an intriguing option.

Myerberg: “Sumrall is going to be a head coach in the SEC, and probably as soon as the 2026 season. While Kentucky is seen as the likeliest destination should Mark Stoops retire, Sumrall would take a hard look at the Tigers’ deeper pool of resources and quicker path toward College Football Playoff contention.”

James Franklin

Franklin is a hot name for every opening after his ousting from Penn State. He’d bring a fascinating level of success to Auburn, being 128-60 (.681) in his career, including a berth just last season in the College Football Playoff.

Myerberg: “Franklin won 24 games over three years at Vanderbilt. If he can deliver a coherent plan for how to maximize Auburn’s NIL offerings, Franklin would be a smash-hit hire for a program that needs a steady hand.”

Urban Meyer

Meyer will always be a top option from a strictly coaching standpoint. Would Auburn be a job that piques his interest? That remains to be seen, but as Myerberg pointed out, it wouldn’t hurt to try.

Myerberg: “If you can hire Meyer — if you can sell it, stomach it, grin and bear it — then you should. The drawbacks are obvious; so are the results. … It can’t hurt Auburn to make a phone call.”