After an embarrassing 10–3 loss to Kentucky, Auburn parted ways with HC Hugh Freeze and handed the reins to D.J. Durkin as interim HC. Still, while Auburn searches for a steady hand to lead the program, $3M Tulane HC Jon Sumrall might emerge as the top candidate to replace Freeze. But Auburn’s ongoing QB shuffle complicates the plan, leaving reporters to question whether Sumrall’s future will actually be in Auburn.

On Sunday’s appearance on WAFB9, Blake Ruffino suggested that LSU could be the perfect fit for Jon Sumrall. “Jon Sumrall is the next head coach of LSU on November 20, whatever,” said Ruffino, giving his reasoning as an eyewitness. “We’re going to a press conference, and we’re there… I am ecstatic, because this is a football guy, he recruits really hard, and look what he did,” added Ruffino. “It’s Ole Miss, Kansas State, BYU their team.” But not just in recruiting. In coaching, he has also made his mark.

As Ruffino put it best, saying, “They went into Oklahoma a couple years ago in his first year there, and they battled. They were then within, within seven points. His quarterback got coached to Duke, and they’re still winning. He is a football guy, and I love it.” Similar to LSU in how they parted ways with Brian Kelly, Auburn is also in the hunt for an HC. Thus, Ruffino’s suggestion raises a valid concern.

Yes, Auburn’s QB situation this season is pure chaos. After benching Jackson Arnold against Arkansas, the Tigers handed the QB mantle to Ashton Daniels. But against Kentucky, neither QB found stability. Because of that, the Tigers managed just 241 total yards and failed to reach the end zone against one of the SEC’s weaker defenses.

While they combined to throw for 123 yards, Daniels struggled in his first start, completing only 13 of 28 passes with an interception. To make matters worse, Kentucky’s defense didn’t hold back, sacking Auburn’s QBs seven times.

That makes LSU a tempting landing spot for Jon Sumrall. But the race won’t be easy, as the Tulane HC has ties across the SEC: LSU, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, and even Kentucky could all make a push because Sumrall is a Kentucky alum and spent time at Troy in multiple roles, including HC. But then Tulane sits just down the road from LSU, adding another layer to the mix.

So, the takeaway? Sumrall has options, and schools across the conference are ready to make him an offer. But the HC remains focused on his team’s game and tuned out the coaching noise. “I’ve dealt with it [coaching rumors] every year as a head coach. I’m so focused on where we are as a team, maybe even more so than ever,” said Sumrall before the UTSA game.

Now, their loss in that game might change his mind, but can Auburn really find a steady hand in its interim HC?

Auburn interim HC’s solid potential

After Auburn’s breakup with Hugh Freeze, Durkin will serve for the rest of 2025. It’s his first head coaching opportunity in nearly a decade. Once hailed as a defensive mastermind, he climbed the SEC ladder from Ole Miss to Texas A&M, earning a seven-figure salary bump before landing in Auburn. He joined Freeze’s staff in 2024, but this new chapter comes with an old shadow.

Durkin’s career hit a major crossroads in 2018 at Maryland. Offensive lineman Jordan McNair tragically collapsed during a team workout and later passed away, sparking investigations and accusations of a toxic football culture. Following that, ESPN’s report detailed disturbing incidents, from verbal abuse to players being shown violent videos during meals.

Durkin was first placed on leave, briefly reinstated, and then fired a day later following national backlash. However, the investigations found that trainers failed to follow proper emergency procedures. Since then, Durkin has tried to rebuild his reputation.

Yes, he worked as a consultant for the Atlanta Falcons before joining Ole Miss and later Texas A&M as co-DC. But when asked about second chances, Durkin said, “People who know me and have been around me — they know who I am. Those opportunities come from people who’ve done their homework.”

Reflecting on the past, he added, “You always learn. You look back and ask what you could’ve done differently. If you’re not growing and learning, then what are you doing?” Surely, the talent is there. But can a coach with such a complex history truly lead Auburn at this point?