Rumor Mill
According to rivals.com, new Auburn coach Gene Chizik has told Tommy Tuberville's holdovers that they won't be retained, and there are rumblings that former Auburn coach Pat Dye will play a big role in helping Chizik build his staff.
It has been reported Auburn has contacted Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels, who is one of the best in the business. Chizik also could have interest in another Georgia assistant, defensive line coach Rodney Garner. Like Searels, Garner is an Auburn alum.
An early name rumored for the defensive coordinator spot is Dallas Cowboys linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who was linebackers coach at Auburn from 1986-91 and whose son is a linebacker for the Tigers. Another possible defensive coordinator is Ted Roof, who did a fantastic job rehabbing Minnesota's defense this season.
The most interesting hire for a program that struggled to move the ball this season will be at offensive coordinator. One name that has been tossed out is Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis. Others to watch are Oklahoma State co-coordinator Trooper Taylor, former Kansas State coach Ron Prince, Miami coordinator Patrick Nix and former Syracuse offensive coordinator Mitch Browning.
New Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has talked to former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis about the Tigers' vacant defensive coordinator post. Another possibility is Alabama linebacker coach Kevin Steele. Both are South Carolina natives.
The Purdue defensive coordinator spot remains a mystery. Some feel Boilermakers coach Danny Hope may hire Florida Atlantic linebacker coach Kurt Van Valkenburgh. Hope already has hired FAU offensive coordinator Gary Nord to coordinate the Boilermakers offense.
Other names for the defensive coordinator job are South Carolina safeties coach Ron Cooper and former Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove.