Will Muschamp
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, foreground, and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp watch practice at the Auburn Athletics Complex on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. (Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics)
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Will Muschamp
is not as much of a defensive coordinator this month as he is an omnipresent figure at Auburn's athletics complex.
"It's been intense," Auburn cornerback
Jonathan Jones
said. "The energy's been up. You know he's watching. For a lot of guys coming back next year, it's kind of a different level because he's looking for next year too."
The newly-hired coach is evaluating players and observing practices as the Tigers prepare for Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. He's not meddling in preparation as safeties coach
Charlie Harbison
runs the show for the next two weeks, but players know making an impression on Muschamp is important.
"It definitely brings the best out of everybody," linebacker
Kris Frost
said. "Running to the ball and the intensity is so much higher. Just really the consistency of how hard everybody works at practice, it's always there, because you know, you do have that feeling of him kind of watching you. So, it can be nerve-wracking at times, but at the same time, it's football."
Yes, it's only football, but what these Tigers do in the next two weeks could go a long way to earning trust and a job in Muschamp's scheme. Auburn will move from a 4-2-5 alignment to a 4-3 with 3-4 looks under Muschamp, whose defense has ranked in the top 10 nationally in 10 of 12 seasons as a college coach.
Auburn has allowed a school-record 31 points or more ins six straight games against Power 5 opponents. The Tigers are coming off a 55-44 loss at No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 29.
"It's going to leave a big impression," safety
Rudy Ford
said. "... As far as leaving an impression, you want to show your new defensive coordinator what you can do, but as players, whenever you put stuff on film, people are going to evaluate you. So, you always want to go and give great effort every single time."
Muschamp will have some pieces to work with, too. Up to eight starters could return, though linebackers
Kris Frost
and
Cassanova McKinzy
are weighing whether to enter the NFL Draft.
Muschamp is always on players' minds, it seems. They shared YouTube videos of the fiery coach's antics on the sidelines while coaching Florida and Auburn in the past. Recently fired at Florida after four years as a head coach, he returns to Auburn where he led the defense in 2006 and 2007, the last time Auburn ranked in the top 30 nationally in total defense.
Muschamp hasn't quite talked to players individually yet as he continues to observe and take notes.
"When he does talk to us," said Ford, "he tells us just to make sure you give everything you've got. Don't slack off. Put a lot of effort and always finish."