Gus Malzahn seems to be on the hot seat every other week, and the most prominent Auburn Tigers booster apparently has his eye on a potential replacement.
Sports By Brooks reported on Tuesday night that if Malzahn fails to beat Alabama this season, Auburn booster Jimmy Rane would target Bob Stoops as the replacement.
Source: SportsbyBrooks has learned that the richest man in the state of Alabama, Auburn superbooster Jimmy Rane, is targeting Bob Stoops to replace Gus Malzahn if the latter fails to beat Alabama this season. #Auburn #BobStoops #JimmyRane #GusMalzahn
— Sports by Brooks (@SportsbyBrooks) September 18, 2019
Oklahoma reporter Jason Kersey of The Athletic says he does not believe Stoops would have any interest in a return to the college game.
If Bob had any serious interest in returning to the college game — which I don't believe he does — he wouldn't be coaching in the XFL right now. The XFL gives him exactly what he wants: The ability to coach football without all the BS, the recruiting, the late-night phone calls
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) September 18, 2019
Stoops surprisingly retired in June 2017, and the Oklahoma Sooners’ program was turned over to Lincoln Riley, who has posted excellent results. Earlier this year Stoops was announced as the GM and head coach of Dallas’ XFL franchise. We can’t imagine he went the last few years without other college offers, so maybe what Kersey says about Stoops wanting to avoid college is true. Or maybe someone would have to make it worth his while.
But why would anyone like Stoops want to take the Auburn job? That is probably the hardest job in college football. You have to compete with Nick Saban for in-state recruits, face Saban every year — with your job depending on that game — and the program’s expectations are extremely high. Why would Stoops willingly step into that situation?
Malzahn received a 7-year extension from Auburn in late 2017 after leading the team to a surprising win over Alabama. He has a hefty buyout that calls for him to be paid 75 percent of what he is owed if he is fired without cause. He’s a good coach who Auburn only feels lukewarm about.
