Report: Auburn preparing in case Gus Malzahn leaves for Arkansas job

Gus Malzahn is once again among the hottest names being linked to the Arkansas head coaching vacancy, and Auburn officials apparently believe there is a chance Malzahn will leave to take the job this time.

According to a report from SportsbyBrooks, the Auburn Board of Trustees has been working to come up with a contingency plan in case Malzahn leaves to coach at Arkansas.

Multiple sources have confirmed to SportsbyBrooks that since Chad Morris was fired at Arkansas last Saturday, Auburn Board of Trustees member Jimmy Rane has been canvassing for contingency head coaching candidates in the event Gus Malzahn takes the Arkansas head coaching job.

— SportsbyBrooks (@SportsbyBrooks) November 11, 2019

Malzahn has deep ties to Arkansas, and he is reportedly the Razorbacks’ first choice again after Chad Morris was fired on Sunday. The 54-year-old was a well-known high school coach in Arkansas and was both a player and assistant coach at the school at one point, so his ties to the program and state are deep. Malzahn was linked to the Arkansas job back in 2017, but he signed a massive seven-year, $49 million extension with Auburn just before the Razorbacks hired Morris.

Hiring Malzahn away from Auburn would cost Arkansas a massive sum of money, as Malzahn is said to have a huge buyout in his current deal. Arkansas may be desperate enough, however, as they are 2-8 this season and 0-6 in SEC play. They went 2-10 under Morris last year. If they believe Malzahn can get them out of the cellar in the SEC, they may be willing to let him name his price.