Gus Malzahn's 7 year, $49 million contract is just two years old, putting his buyout at $27 million. It would be crazy to even consider paying that figure for the coach of the No. 15 ranked team in the country.
Auburn, many people believed, was that kind of crazy.
However, Auburn AD Allen Greene took a weed eater to the speculation outside an AU board of regents meeting on Friday.
"We've had one of the toughest schedules in the country. We've been competitive in every one of those games," he told Auburn Undercover. "Our focus right now is on Samford, on Alabama in the Iron Bowl and recruiting. Our whole focus right now is finishing out the season on a strong and high note, and then focusing on reloading for next year."
Additionally, Auburn Undercover reported that there have been no high-level discussions among Auburn's braintrust about moving on from Malzahn after this season.
The Tigers are 7-3 this season with Samford coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday and No. 5 Alabama on Nov. 30. Auburn's three losses this season have come to No. 11 Florida, No. 1 LSU and No. 4 Georgia, with a win over No. 6 Oregon to open the season. (Next season, Auburn faces North Carolina in Atlanta and trades an inter-divisional road trip to Florida for a home game with Kentucky, but the Tigers visit both Georgia and Alabama.)
Auburn will play Alabama with Mac Jones at quarterback instead of Tua Tagovailoa, and a win would move Malzahn to 3-1 against the Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare. A loss, though, would send the anti-Malzahn faction of Auburn's fan base out into the streets again.
Greene's statement, though, appears to show Auburn will back Malzahn regardless of the Iron Bowl's result.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.