AU COACHING SEARCH: Search narrows

In 12 hours, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp went from “reportedly” being the new head coach at Auburn to, well, still being the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator.

Just another blip squashed off the radar in Auburn’s now nine-day-old coaching search that has yet to result in a new head coach.

Multiple reports, citing anonymous sources, early Friday reported that Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs and his team of advisors was scheduled to meet with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. Those reports proved premature however, as it was confirmed Auburn did not interview Grobe on Friday.

Asked if Auburn was granted permission to speak with Grobe, a spokesman from Wake Forest said the university does not comment on those types of matters.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard confirmed Friday that Auburn officials have met with Cyclones head coach Gene Chizik.

It is Pollard’s understanding that Chizik is a “serious candidate” for the job, according to a university release.

“Auburn’s interest in Gene speaks to (Chizik’s) reputation,” Pollard said in the release. “We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their services.”

Chizik, 46, began his coaching career in 1990 as a defensive ends coach at Middle Tennessee State before eventually landing at Auburn from 2002-04 as the team’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Chizik spent two seasons as a co-defensive coordinator at Texas before landing his first head-coaching gig at Iowa State in 2007.

The Cyclones have struggled under Chizik, going 5-19 overall, including a 2-10 2008 campaign. Iowa State went 0-8 against the Big 12 this season.

Chizik joined Buffalo’s Turner Gill, Ball State’s Brady Hoke, Tulsa’s Todd Graham, Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley, Texas Christian’s Gary Patterson, Georgia assistant Rodney Garner and Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix on the list of coaches who have reportedly interviewed with Auburn. East Carolina’s Skip Holtz has also emerged as a potential candidate, though a ECU spokesman denied Auburn had requested permission to speak with Holtz.

A highly speculated, but never official candidate may have finally pulled himself out of the running Friday.

Florida state offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher told the Orlando Sentinel he was “staying” at Florida State. Days earlier at the Montgomery Quarterback Club, Fisher would not give a definitive yes or no answer to similar questions.

Amid TV reports late Thursday night that Muschamp would take the podium Friday at an Auburn press conference, the Texas coach in waiting adamantly denied any contact from Auburn or any interest on his part during Auburn’s search.

“I have not interviewed for any jobs. I’m not interested in any jobs,” Muschamp said in a released statement. “I’m happy here, my family loves Austin and I’m going to be at Texas.”

Fox 10 in Mobile, citing anonymous sources, originally reported that Muschamp would be named Auburn’s coach at a Friday press conference. ESPN picked up the story early Friday morning, adding even more buzz to the completely false report.

Fox 10 issued a retraction late Friday morning after Muschamp’s statement was released.

The former fan-favorite Auburn defensive coordinator, Muschamp is scheduled to receive a raise to $900,000 a year doubling the salary he signed for just last year to remain as defensive coordinator until coach Mack Brown leaves.

Despite Internet rumors and a report from WSFA NBC 12 in Montgomery, South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier is an unlikely candidate for the Auburn job.

Spurrier denied interest and contact with Auburn on Thursday at an Outback Bowl banquet.

“There’s nothing to that,” Spurrier said. “It’s amazing how some of that stuff gets started.

“The Auburn one? Is that the one you’re talking about? Yeah, that one jumped out of nowhere. It’s interesting how anybody can almost start a rumor, I guess.

“It’s really complimentary, I guess, that they still think I’m good enough to coach at those places, or whatever, it is a compliment, but I’ve said many times that this is my last coaching job, at South Carolina. We’re going to try and see if we can’t do something real good.”

ESPN reported Friday that Patterson pulled his name out of the running for the Auburn job. Patterson met with Jacobs and high-ranking Auburn sports administrators Thursday. TCU and Patterson have not publicly commented about his alleged interview.

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