Alabama Football G04 vs Florida 2014

Florida head coach Will Muschamp watches the action during the second quarter of Alabama's 42-21 victory Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn is pursuing Will Muschamp to be its next defensive coordinator, but the former Florida coach is weighing several other opportunities as well, according to a person familiar with the process.



Muschamp and Auburn have shown mutual interest, but a decision is not expected within the next couple of days, according to the person familiar with the process. It's believed Muschamp is Gus Malzahn's top target after the second-year Auburn coach fired Ellis Johnson on Sunday.



The former Florida head coach has several potential suitors, including Texas A&M, and is also looking at the possibility of positions that may come open in the near future. Opportunities in the NFL are also on Muschamp's radar.

It's not clear who Malzahn would target if Muschamp passes on the opportunity at Auburn, but AuburnUndercover.com reports he has three candidates in mind.

RELATED: 5 potential candidates for Auburn's defensive coordinator job

Muschamp, who coached Auburn's defense in 2006 and 2007, finished his Florida coaching career Saturday in a 24-19 loss at Florida State. He was 28-22 in four seasons leading the Gators, including a trip to the Sugar Bowl following the 2012 season.

Muschamp's coaching chops as a defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas landed him the job with the Gators in 2011. His Auburn defense led the SEC in scoring in 2007 and ranked seventh in the NCAA in 2006.



If Muschamp does land a coordinator gig on the college level, the veteran is in position to possibly become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country, surpassing Alabama's Kirby Smart ($1.35 million) and LSU's John Chavis ($1.3 million) in the SEC.



Auburn paid Johnson a salary of $850,000 per year and will owe him $2.2 million in buyout money through June 2017.



Auburn's future coordinator will take over a defense that allowed 31 points or more in its final six SEC games of the season, the worst stretch in school history. Auburn has not ranked in the top 30 in total defense since 2008, when the Tigers allowed only 317.8 yards per game.

Auburn conducted a meeting on campus with players Monday afternoon to discuss Johnson's departure.