As I watch the reaction from Auburn faithful regard the search for their new Head Football Coach, I ask myself one question.
Are Auburn fans looking for a Football Coach or a Pastor?
It doesn't take you two seconds to realize where I'm going with this article. The Auburn Coaching Search has began to turn into a bit like Twilight. There's no Team Edward or Team Jacob. It's more like #TeamPetrino, #TeamStrong, and #TeamGus. Sorry, Jimbo Fisher is staying where he is.
As I've said for months, Bobby Petrino is the leader in the clubhouse for the Auburn job after this season. Whatever you've read in the last few days, the Petrino talk seems to be heating up. Although al.com reported that Louisville Head Coach Charlie Strong did interview for the Auburn job, the job is Petrino's to turn down, and he probably won't turn it down.
There seems to be mixed reactions on the possibility of Petrino coming back to the plains. Some welcome a proven winner while some are furious because of his moral mishap which led to his dismissal at Arkansas. I hear the Auburn "Creed" being referenced many times and also heard that hiring Petrino would go against that. If you hold judgement because a man cheated on his wife and used his power to hire his mistress (who was engaged), you're obviously watching the world through a very narrow lens.
Everyone knows where my stance is when it comes to playing the morality card and football.....that stance is that is very laughable. NCAA Football is not a monestary, it's a business. Usually, winning in college football is good for business, just ask Auburn's counterparts in Tuscaloosa. So Bobby Petrino cheated on his wife, used his power to get a co-ed a job, and lied about it. That is pretty scummy. However, if you look back to his tenures at Louisville and Arkansas, how many NCAA investigations were under his watch? Has there been an armed robbery involving football players under Petrino? Has there been a shooting that rocked a college town and led to the death of a former football player under Bobby Petrino? That's what I thought.
Maybe Bobby Petrino can't manage the ship that is called his personal life, but he can tighten up the ship that is called a Division I FBS Football Program. It's proven.
As much as you may like Charlie Strong, great coach and has brought Louisville back, he did it against Joker Phillips. He runs a good clean program, but I'm not sure he's ready for primetime competing with Nick Saban on the field or on the recruiting trail.
Gus Malzahn is loved on The Plains. Some will argue that he was the brains behind the 2010 BCS Title run. Hugh Freeze took Ole Miss back in the right direction in year one after coaching at Arkansas State, where Malzahn is currently. The difference between Ole Miss and Auburn is: A 6-6 record and a win vs. Mississippi State will secure your job for years. A 6-6 record and the continued shortcomings vs. Alabama will get you ran out of the door.
It all comes down to one word....patience, and the Auburn base has none it can spare. They want [NEED] to win and they NEED to win NOW!!! Alabama could be playing for their 3rd National Championship in 4 years with a win over Georgia on Saturday. Auburn is currently in their offseason after a 3-9 record. Time is running out and Auburn has an uphill climb. The only person that is equipped and proven to make that uphill climb is........Bobby Petrino.
Whether you love Bobby Petrino or you hate him, he can win despite only going 17-15 in the SEC. Jimbo Fisher is not coming, and neither is Jon Gruden or Gary Patterson. Bobby Petrino is the best realistic option on the board.
I ask one more time Auburn fans. Do you want a Football Coach or a Pastor?
