Auburn and Rodney Garner

The AU search will take a lot of twists and turns before it's over. Today, Rodney Garner mentioned that he'd like to be a candidate. This shouldn't really be a shocker to anyone. Garner has said his #1 goal as a coach is to one day be the head football coach at Auburn University.

However, that doesn't mean he'd take a lateral move to the Tigers if someone else is selected for that position. He's also not very high on the search list right now as it seems that Leach, Muschamp, Derek Dooley and others are above him in the pecking order.

I don't see Garner's comments hurting us with any recruits right now. Some other schools will try and position it negatively, but Coach Garner is more than talented enough to deflect any of those concerns from kids and their families.

The Mobile Press Registers lists these guys as candidates:

The list of potential candidates to replace Tuberville includes a mixture of mindsets and philosophies. Among those known for offense are Leach, Boise State's Chris Petersen, Tulsa's Todd Graham, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, Air Force's Troy Calhoun and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson, whose spread-option running game is reportedly a favorite of former Auburn coaching great Pat Dye.

Possible candidates with defensive backgrounds include North Carolina's Butch Davis, Texas defensive coordinator and former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Wake For est's Jim Grobe and TCU's Gary Patterson, whose Horned Frogs are ranked No. 2 in the country in total defense.

As for the Mike Leach rumors, Texas Tech appears close to offering Leach a contract worth $3 million per year or more.

If you're an Auburn fan, why are you in such a tizzy over the idea of hiring Leach? He was out coached by Mike Shula in the 2006 Cotton Bowl. Remind me again...when did Shula out coach Tuberville? Regardless, Graham Harrell thinks that Leach is growing restless in Lubbock.

PWD