Gogue: new coach to be announced within 24 hours

Auburn University president Jay Gogue told multiple Montgomery television stations the school’s next football coach will be announced within the next 24 hours. During a speaking engagement at the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, Gogue told WAKA and WSFA that Auburn will announce who will be the program’s 26th head football coach.

Auburn reportedly interviewed Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Arkansas State coach and former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn on Monday.

Citing “people familiar with the process,” AL.com reported Auburn interviewed Smart, who just helped lead the No. 2 Crimson Tide to a 32-28 win over Georgia in Saturday’s SEC Championship game.

Smart, 36, has never been a head coach but has served as defensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama since 2007. The Crimson Tide defense ranks best in the nation in total defense and rushing, second in scoring and sixth in pass defense this season.

Alabama, which will play for its third BCS Championship in four years on Jan. 7 in Miami, also ranked best in nation in total defense last season under Smart.

Other potential candidates for the Auburn coaching job include TCU’s Gary Patterson, former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Boise State’s Chris Petersen and Louisville’s Charlie Strong. USA Today’s Danny Sheridan, citing an Auburn source, tweeted Malzahn was interviewed Sunday night.

AL.com and other outlets reported last week that Auburn had interviewed Strong, which he vehemently denied.

Auburn has been searching for its 26th head football coach since firing Gene Chizik last week. The search committee includes Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs and alums Mac Crawford, Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson.