Auburn fans are deep in another heated coaching conversation, and this one’s getting spicy. On this episode of The Auburn Express, the crew dives into what’s real and what’s noise surrounding the Tigers’ next head coach. James Franklin’s name keeps surfacing, but his track record in big games — 15–28 versus Top 25 opponents — is drawing serious skepticism from the Auburn faithful. Can he really solve Auburn’s biggest issues, or would that just be hitting reset on the same old problems?

Mike G takes a no-nonsense look at how Franklin’s tenure at Penn State mirrors Auburn’s own frustrations: good defense, inconsistent quarterback play, and a low offensive floor. Then the conversation shifts to Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri — a coach who’s earned respect for developing players and squeezing wins out of less talent. Could he translate that process into SEC West success, or is Auburn aiming higher?

The discussion also highlights John Cohen’s behind-the-scenes work, including his approach to player input during this search. Players want stability, and Cohen’s words suggest Auburn’s culture is holding strong, even through the turbulence.

This episode isn’t about wishful thinking — it’s about finding the right fit to win now. Auburn fans, get ready to face some hard truths about what it’s going to take to rebuild the program’s identity and finally break out of the “coaching rehab” cycle.

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