Auburn is coming off a 10-3 loss to Kentucky and has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze. Now, the Tigers will begin their search for a new leader who can restore the program’s standing among the SEC elite. Here are some of the top candidates to lead Auburn back to prominence.
Jon Sumrall – Tulane Head Coach
Auburn is expected to pursue a high-profile hire, as the program remains determined to compete for SEC and national championships. The Tigers have previously turned to Group of Five coaches, hiring Brian Harsin from Boise State and then Hugh Freeze from Liberty, but both stints fell short.
Since their 2017 SEC title game appearance and Peach Bowl loss under Gus Malzahn, Auburn has struggled to stay relevant. Jon Sumrall could change that narrative. A former Kentucky linebacker, Sumrall built his résumé with assistant coaching stops at San Diego, Tulane, Troy, Ole Miss, and Kentucky before landing his first head coaching job at Troy in 2022.
He went 23-4 with the Trojans before taking over at Tulane, where he’s compiled a 15-7 record. Widely viewed as one of the brightest young coaches in college football, Sumrall fits the mold of a rising star — but Auburn must decide if it’s willing to take another gamble on a Group of Five leader.
Dan Mullen – UNLV Head Coach
Dan Mullen could make his return to the SEC, where he has a proven track record. After early stints at Wagner, Columbia, Syracuse, and Notre Dame, Mullen teamed up with Urban Meyer at Bowling Green, Utah, and Florida, serving as offensive coordinator during Florida’s championship run.
He later became Mississippi State’s head coach in 2009, leading the Bulldogs to eight bowl appearances and a 69-46 record before returning to Florida, where he went 34-15 and won an SEC East title before being dismissed in 2021. Now at UNLV, Mullen has revitalized the program, leading them to a 6-2 start this season.
While he brings SEC experience and offensive pedigree, some question whether Mullen can elevate Auburn beyond what Freeze accomplished.
James Franklin – Former Penn State Head Coach
James Franklin is a proven winner, but whether he’s the right fit for Auburn remains uncertain. After climbing the coaching ladder from small programs to major college football, Franklin made his mark at Vanderbilt, going 24-15 and achieving ranked finishes in two seasons — a rare feat for the Commodores.
At Penn State, Franklin went 104-45, won a Big Ten title, and reached the College Football Playoff semifinal. However, his 4-21 record against top-10 opponents raised doubts about his ability to win on the biggest stage.
Franklin could keep Auburn competitive and improve recruiting in the DMV area, but if the Tigers’ goal is to topple Alabama and claim SEC titles, Franklin may not be the long-term answer.
Jimbo Fisher – Former Texas A&M Head Coach
Jimbo Fisher has been linked to several openings but has yet to return to the sidelines since being dismissed by Texas A&M. His résumé remains impressive — an 83-23 record and a 2013 national championship at Florida State.
However, Fisher’s time at Texas A&M was less successful, ending with a 45-25 record and no major titles. Despite his pedigree, some believe the modern college game may have passed him by. Still, if Fisher can adapt to the NIL era and evolving offensive systems, he could be a strong contender to revive Auburn’s fortunes.
Jon Gruden – Former NFL Head Coach
If Auburn wants to make a bold, headline-grabbing hire, Jon Gruden would be the biggest name available. The former NFL coach, who last worked with the Las Vegas Raiders, has openly expressed interest in returning to the sidelines.
Gruden last coached in college in 1991 at Pitt before moving to the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl and compiled a 117-112 record across stops with the Raiders and Buccaneers. His lack of recent college experience and recruiting exposure would make this a high-risk move, but his star power could generate significant excitement — and boost NIL efforts.
Still, there’s no guarantee his NFL success would translate to college football.
Auburn will face Vanderbilt this week under an interim coach. While the season appears lost, the Tigers are already turning their focus to the future — and their next head coach will determine whether Auburn can return to the top of the SEC.