Gus Malzahn Will Not Speak at AFCA Convention, Will Appear on ESPN Instead

Gus Malzahn Will Not Speak at AFCA Convention, Will Appear on ESPN Instead by Nicholas Ian Allen

There is currently one open spot on the Auburn football coaching staff, and the general consensus is that the Tigers are searching for a linebackers coach. As far as a potential hire goes, the picture is getting clearer.

When Will Muschamp was hired as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, it immediately raised questions as to who would and couldn’t be part of his Auburn defensive coaching staff. Eventually, we learned that Auburn assistants Charlie Harbison and Melvin Smith would leave the Tigers, and former Auburn standout and Florida defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson would come back to the Plains and reunite with Muschamp.

That left one spot still open, and with only speculation as to who Muschamp and head coach Gus Malzahn would target.

Friday morning, according to AuburnSports.com’s Jay G. Tate ($) and AuburnUndercover.com’s Phillip Marshall, we now have at least one candidate for the vacant linebackers coach position on the Auburn staff. According to the reports, that candidate is former Miami Hurricanes All-American, 13-year NFL veteran, and Miami assistant coach Michael Barrow.

Barrow was the linebackers coach for seven seasons at his alma mater, but stepped away from the position suddenly in early August 2014 in what he termed a sabbatical.

“As a proud University of Miami graduate, former football player and coach, it is with a heavy heart that I announce I’m taking a sabbatical from coaching this season,” Barrow said in a written statement. “This was an extremely tough decision to leave my dream job. However, I have a very important family obligation that requires my full attention, and I would not have had enough time to effectively fulfill my coaching duties.”

Now, it appears Barrow – who is known as a very good recruiter and also has experience coaching special teams – is ready to return to coaching.

.@FlyWarEagle Two pics from Barbecue House in AU today. Looks like Barrow on right (with rest of def. staff). pic.twitter.com/DJYM7olYqI — Nolan Donald (@NolanDonald) January 9, 2015

If Barrow (or any linebacker coach) is hired, do not expect Muschamp to coach a specific position. Travaris Robinson coached the entire secondary at Florida, and it is unlikely Muschamp would name himself safeties coach. Instead, he is likely to be a “walk around” coordinator that will take a broad view of the defense during practices and other preparations.

Adding Barrow to the staff would increase the recruiting momentum the Tigers have gained in recent weeks with the hiring of Muschamp and Robinson, particularly in Florida. Several of Auburn’s most highly sought after uncommitted recruits – including offensive lineman Martez Ivey, defensive end Byron Cowart and linebacker Jeff Holland, hail from the Sunshine State.

In addition to potential recruits, the Tigers have a veteran group of linebackers returning in 2015. Kris Frost and Casanova McKinzy both recently announced they would not enter the 2015 NFL Draft and top reserves Anthony Swain and Tre’ Williams are also expected to be back next season.