With likely losses against Georgia and Alabama looming, Auburn AD Allen Greene attempted to quell the speculation about Gus Malzahn’s future before it could take on a life of its own by stating definitively that Malzahn will be back in 2019.

“He’ll be the coach next year and I’m confident — he’s already proven we can get through adversity,” Greene said earlier this month. “Every team has it and I’m looking forward to working with him for a long time.”

Those losses have now come and gone — the Tigers fell to Georgia 27-10 on Nov. 10 and 52-21 to Alabama on Saturday. Auburn completed a regular season that began in the AP top 10 with a 7-5 mark.

With the regular season over, Josh Moon of the Montgomery (Ala.) Alabama Reporter reported Monday that a faction of AU power-brokers have gathered support to oust Malzahn, to the point where a search for his replacement is already underway.

Turns out, Gus Malzahn's job at Auburn isn't nearly as safe as once thought. There is a serious movement among high-powered officials at AU to fire him. To the point that a replacement has been identified and initial meetings held to gauge interest. Happy, Monday. — Josh Moon (@Josh_Moon) November 26, 2018

To add more details re: AU/Malzahn: What I have been told comes from sources who have participated in these conversations. The buyout can be covered. But to front that sort of money, those involved want a "top-level" coach locked in place. /1 — Josh Moon (@Josh_Moon) November 26, 2018

Those conversations with such a candidate began at least two weeks ago. The candidate in question was at the top of the list. He was surprisingly receptive to AU's inquiries and made it clear he would be interested in coming to AU for the right, Jimbo Fisher-type offer. /2 — Josh Moon (@Josh_Moon) November 26, 2018

At that point, work began in earnest behind the scenes to build support for the change and get university officials on board. Or to at least make them shut up. So, now we wait to see if a deal gets ironed out. But the right people are involved and motivated. /F — Josh Moon (@Josh_Moon) November 26, 2018

Here's what I can tell you re: Bob Stoops/Auburn. A meeting took place a few weeks ago. It involved Stoops and at least two AU powerbrokers. It went unexpectedly well. /1 — Josh Moon (@Josh_Moon) November 27, 2018

Malzahn signed a 7-year, $49 million contract after leading Auburn to wins over Georgia and Alabama en route to an SEC West championship in 2017. The cost to buy the sixth-year Auburn coach out of his contract at this point is a reported $32 million with $16 million of that due nearly immediately should they make this decision.

For what it is worth, FootballScoop was told that people representing Auburn met with Bob Stoops a few weeks back….

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.

Update> Bob Stoops says he didn’t speak with Auburn.