Auburn’s bye week couldn’t have come at a more stressful moment. With a 4-6 record, the Tigers are still reflecting on that odd overtime collapse at Vanderbilt, where DJ Durkin looked overwhelmed trying to manage the defense. He admitted that the game “kind of changed” on them, when second half unfolded as the offense suddenly woke up for the first time in weeks and the defense struggled to find its footing. And now, in a coaching carousel that is already beginning to heat up, the next two weeks will be crucial in deciding the Tigers’ future.

It’s wild how subtly Auburn has entered the Jon Sumrall sweepstakes while everyone else in the SEC continues to focus on bigger, flashier names. In the November 18 episode of Todd McShay, Bruce Feldman bluntly stated, “Jon Sumrall has definitely got interest from Auburn and he’s an Alabama native and did really well at Troy.” Now that means Auburn is chasing a winner who is truly proving it in real time. Tulane recently defeated FAU 35-2 to move up to 24 in the AP Top 25 and has a 78% chance to play in the AAC championship game.

That’s exactly what AD John Cohen meant when he stated he wants someone with a “competitive edge.” As a head coach, you don’t go 39–11 by chance, and Auburn appears to be the only SEC power that genuinely recognizes the worth of a man who has risen up the ranks the tough way. Feldman said “I’ve always heard LSU money people would not hire a Tulane or a group of five guy.” And in a way, that’s exactly what drives Sumrall in the direction of Auburn. He added, “LSU does some nutty stuff… they’re going to do the thing that sounds the coolest at the press conference.”

Auburn, on the other hand, is moving in the opposite way, seeking a perfect fit rather than the biggest brand. Feldman praised Sumrall saying, “Jon Sumrall is a terrific coach. He’s at Tulane. He played in the SEC, coached in the SEC. I’ve never met anybody who’s like been involved in football who was not impressed by him. I would think I would not be surprised if he’s the Auburn head coach.” With his SEC background, recruiting style, and incredible winning streak everywhere he goes, Sumrall fits the bill.

It’s obvious why people in the Auburn area are beginning to move from “maybe” to “when” as you consider that prediction markets already place him at 53% to get the job. With two consecutive Sun Belt crowns, a 23-4 record at Troy, and a current 17-7 record at Tulane, Sumrall’s record is literally too loud to ignore. He has a legit chance to make it into the CPF as G5 bid. And Tulane paying him $3 million won’t stop an SEC giant if it decides he’s the guy. Even Jake Crain jumped in, tweeting that “it’s Sumrall for Auburn as leader in the clubhouse” and that Auburn may even keep DJ Durkin on as DC if Sumrall takes over. So seems like Sumrall really is the guy.

James Franklin is off the board

James Franklin has completely removed himself from the plot of Auburn’s coaching search, which already seemed like one of those late-season SEC thrillers where every play decides the next chapter. Auburn’s search board, which has been becoming smaller every day, now has one less powerful member after Virginia Tech finalized its contract to bring in the veteran PSU head coach. For a program looking for its third head coach in five years, losing a big guy like Franklin definitely feels like a gut punch.

Franklin was basically the type of leader AD John Cohen has been talking about since parting ways with Hugh Freeze, so this one stings even more. Cohen has made it clear what qualities he is looking for in Auburn’s next coach: “Somebody who’s highly competitive…blue collar, you can call it hard-nosed, you can call it aggressive.” Although Franklin wasn’t a guaranteed fit, he met enough requirements to remain on Auburn’s radar as the Tigers attempted to reset. But now that his transfer to Blacksburg is official, Auburn loses an entire direction of possibilities.

The repercussions don’t end there. Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech gives the Hokies coach with a recent CFP history and a 104–45 record, but it also gives Penn State a huge financial boost as his buyout drops from $49 million to $9 million. PSU was prepared for a new chapter in this new NIL-and-revenue-share era, and Ross Dellenger’s report on the drop in revenue basically verified what many had expected. Now that the Franklin door is closed, the Tigers are now entirely focused between Jon Sumrall and interim coach DJ Durkin.