Coaching Rumors

All remains pretty quiet on the Stacy Searels and Rodney Garner fronts. One of the theories for how Auburn might lure either of the two coaches would be offering coordinator positions. Multiple sources are reporting that Gene Chizik has asked Paul Rhoads, current AU defensive coordinator, to stay on staff. If he's staying on for the DC job, that would severely limit their ability to bring Rodney Garner over via a promotion.

On the other hand, Rhoads may be a candidate to replace Chizik at ISU. Rhoads is a former Iowa State assistant coach. The Iowa State job actually has a solid looking list of potential replacements for Chizik. Turner Gill, a former Nebraska player and coach, joins folks like Glen Mason (former miracle worker at Kansas), and others near the top of that group.

While we're talking coaching search news in general. Rivals.com has a great recap of coaching rumors from places like LSU, Notre Dame and elsewhere. One smaller school of note is Eastern Michigan who is looking for a head coach. I'd like to take a moment to recommend John Jancek for their defensive coordinator job when it opens. The former Central Michigan LB coach knows the area, and he would be a great fit. Did I mention that Auburn's linebacker coach James Willis is probably available to help some lucky SEC school's LB corps play much better?

Lastly, ISU's athletic director spilled the beans on final 48 hours of the Chizik switch. He's understandably pissed, but you have to give him credit for this doozy of a line:

"I give (Auburn A.D. Jay Jacobs) credit for hiring a 5-19 coach," Pollard later added with a wry smile.

PWD