Gus Malzahn Headed Back to Auburn as Head Coach, According to Report

The offensive coordinator who helped guide the Tigers to their last national championship is headed back to the Plains, this team as top guy

Auburn to Announce New Head Coach Within 24 Hours

#BREAKING: Auburn President Dr. Gogue tells CBS 8 News Reporter @jgertler_cbs8that coach announcement to be made within 24 hours.

— WAKA CBS 8 (@CBS8News) December 4, 2012

On this day of reports with sketchy sources, this one seems legit. The rather quiet Auburn coaching search is winding down to an end.

Charlie Strong Denies Interview With Auburn

It's likely that Louisville's head coach talked with someone connected to Auburn. Was it an interview? He says no.

Here Is Reportedly Auburn's Short List for Replacing Chizik

Charles Goldberg of AL.com has compiled what amounts to Auburn's short list of candidates for replacing Gene Chizik. The way he phrases it is this:

Auburn's search for a new football coach may be focused on three former assistants at the school who, at least through their representatives, have not cut off potential communication with the university.

Saying they "have not cut off potential communication with the university" sounds like "So you're telling me there's a chance?" territory to me, but it does mean they haven't given a firm and definite "no" just yet.

The three former assistants are names we've already listed as possible candidates: Bobby Petrino, Jimbo Fisher, and Gus Malzahn. Petrino and Malzahn are obvious candidates for anyone paying attention, and Fisher isn't a surprise name if you've paid attention to the rumor mill.

Goldberg has also listed TCU's Gary Patterson as "a player in the search", which also fairly well describes him from Arkansas's standpoint as well. Other names that are on the list but about whom Goldberg doesn't report any activity around are Boise State's Chris Petersen and Louisville's Charlie Strong. In other words, it's the usual suspects for open SEC jobs.

Potential Candidates to Replace Chizik at Auburn

Here are the names you're going to hear connected to the new opening at Auburn.

Gene Chizik Fired at Auburn

AU has fired Gene Chizik after four seasons on the Plains.