The Return of Will Muschamp

With loaded recruiting classes and high expectations coming off of a Cinderella season in 2013, the Auburn faithful were ready for a big season in 2014. It did not come. In fact, Auburn took a step backward. The main reason – the defense. With such an explosive offense, and a great offensive mind in head coach, Gus Malzhan, many games turned into shootouts (A&M, South Carolina, Alabama, Wisconsin, etc).

But what if Auburn could have fielded an adequate defense? Auburn could have very well gone 11-1, or at least 10-2. Instead, Auburn went 8-5, with no shot at winning the SEC West.

So the solution was to remove Ellis Johnson as defensive coordinator and replace him with SEC defensive mastermind Will Muschamp, who had just been fired from the University of Florida. Malzhan said that Muschamp has the greatest defensive mind in all of football, college or pro, and it is hard to argue with him. It felt like every team wanted him. South Carolina fans thought for a moment that Muschamp was going to take over the reins as their defensive coordinator, after Scout.com reported he was heading that way. Rumors even swirled about him heading to the NFL.

Auburn knew he was the answer for their defense, in part, because he had already done it at Auburn. In his previous stint at Auburn, 2006-2007, he solidified the Tigers as not only one of the best defenses in the SEC, but in the country. In his first season Auburn was the fifth best scoring defense in the country, and in his second season they were the second best scoring defense in the country.

And not just at Auburn. When he was the defensive coordinator at LSU he was dominant, as well.

• In his first season, LSU had the nation’s second best pass defense in passing yards per attempt.
• In his second year, the Tigers had the nation’s best scoring defense and the best total defense in yards per play, both of which helped lead LSU to a national championship.
• At Texas, while he was head coach in waiting, he had the best scoring defense in the Big 12 and the fifth-best scoring defense nationally, in his first year.
• In his second year in Austin, his defense was top 10 in all four major statistical categories, and he helped lead the Longhorns to the national championship game.

With Muschamp overseeing such a talented defensive group, the sky is the limit for this year’s Auburn defense.

• The defensive line is boasting some of the best talent in the SEC with Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson, and the nation’s number one recruit (according to ESPN.com) in defensive lineman Bryon Cowart.
• Add that to the linebacking corp of Kris Frost and Cassanova Mckinzy, and this front seven could be one of the best in the SEC if not the nation.
• While safety looks solid with Rudy Ford and Tray Matthews, some are concerned with the lack of depth at cornerback. But I am not concerned for two main reasons.
  • First, this pass rush is going to be relentless. Auburn could lead sacks and in turnovers, even over the likes of LSU, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
  • Second, in his years as an SEC defensive coordinator, Muschamp, never coached a defense that ranked lower than 20^th in the nation in passing defense. And only once was he not in the top six nationally in passing defense. If there is one thing for sure, Muschamp knows how to dial up great defensive pass coverage.

Auburn could ride this defense to not only an SEC championship but a national title, as well. A lot will depend on how quickly Muschamp can change this talented defense into winners. But, if history is any indicator, it won’t take long.