The Auburn Undercover Podcast

Auburn has a new offensive coordinator, but let's not bury the lede. Gus Malzahn will, finally, call plays without interference starting with the Music City Bowl and continuing through at least the 2019 season. After several seasons of an offensive coordinator (Rhett Lashlee and then Chip Lindsey) calling the plays, and Malzahn later meddling with those play calls during games, the Auburn offense will again be all Malzahn. Simply put, it's one clear voice on the headsets instead of two. Why was that the case to begin with? We discuss that at length this week. "It's Gus Malzahn's Show" on the Auburn Undercover Roundtable this week as the guys discuss what this means for the future of the Auburn football program and whether we'll see any differences in the Music City Bowl against Purdue. Also, who is Kenny Dillingham, the new quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator? Well, we know who he isn't: the Tigers' play caller.  What did we make of that letter to Auburn fans penned by athletics director Allen Greene? Was he targeting the media with his comments on "rumors and speculation" affecting the "Auburn family" in a negative fashion? Was he pointing to the fans? Why make those comments? We discuss. We also look at the huge recruiting weekend before the early signing period, what to expect in the near future and what areas Auburn is still trying to shore up before Dec. 19 hits the recruiting calendar. Oh, and how about the hot start by Bruce Pearl and his pride of Tigers? The guys discuss Auburn's big three-game swing coming up and the trip to Birmingham to face UAB this week. Plus, what does the addition of Danjel Purifoy mean for the Tigers? We also get a few updates on the behind-the-scenes action of the coaching carousel across the country and the latest talk in the industry from publisher and industry insider Ronnie Sanders. The Auburn Undercover Roundtable is hosted by Auburn Undercover editor Brandon Marcello, along with guests Keith Niebuhr (recruiting analyst), Phillip Marshall (the dean of Auburn writers) and Sanders.  It's a supersized episode titled "It's Gus Malzahn's Show." Enjoy.

Gus Malzahn is looking for a new offensive coordinator, but in doing so he has to follow a few rules. He wants Hugh Freeze, yes, but at what cost? Is Auburn willing to pay for him? And, for that matter, is Auburn willing to give the former Ole Miss head coach a multi-year deal? The Auburn Undercover Roundtable is back to discuss the first domino to fall from the fallout of Malzahn agreeing to remain at Auburn, but with stipulations. Selling the school on a multi-year deal for an offensive coordinator appears to be a non-starter, and one Malzahn discovered this week will prove difficult to overcome in his search for a new staff member following the departure of OC Chip Lindsey to Kansas. Is it fair to Gus Malzahn? Is this his own making? The guys discuss the situation and why there is blame to go around on both sides in the search for an OC, and how many in the coaching industry know they will not have autonomy of the offense should they come to Auburn. But the ultimate puppeteers in this comedy of errors reside within the administration, which is doing everything in their power to assure their coach is hamstrung for the remainder of his career on the Plains. The program is already seeing the effects stemming from the compromise the parties reached last week, and the damage to the Auburn football program is just beginning. Can the course be corrected? The Roundtable discusses the craziness that is the relationship between Auburn and its head coach, along with a bad Tuesday for Auburn on the recruiting trail, a welcome piece of news on a linebacker and what the future holds for the program as the Tigers again search for a new starting quarterback. The Auburn Undercover Roundtable is hosted by insider Brandon Marcello and includes guests Phillip Marshall, the dean of Auburn sports writers; Keith Niebuhr, recruiting analyst; and Ronnie Sanders, industry insider and publisher of Auburn Undercover.

The saga continues between Gus Malzahn, Auburn president Steven Leath and board of trustees member Raymond Harbert. The administration has asked Malzahn to compromise on several items involving his contract and his salary pool for his assistants to remain Auburn’s head coach heading into 2019. Still, the president is acting as if it’s business as usual for the athletics department, even with the future of a six-year head coach of a major SEC program hanging in the balance because of his demands. Who is to blame for this ordeal? Why is it taking so long to hear a final resolution? Has anyone ever done such a thing at a major football program? We certainly haven’t seen it and the ongoing negotiations are not only unprecedented but downright befuddling for the Auburn Undercover Roundtable. Brandon Marcello, Phillip Marshall and Ronnie Sanders of Auburn Undercover sit down to dissect the crazy story of how Auburn tried to force Malzahn out of the job, only to find out he wanted to stay despite them handcuffing him for the foreseeable future. Will Malzahn accept the terms? He’s leaning that way but anything can happen. After all, this is Auburn.

Believe it or not, rumors are still swirling about Gus Malzahn's future at Auburn heading into the Iron Bowl. This is Auburn, so don't ever count any possibility out when it comes to a coaches' future. The Auburn Undercover Roundtable discuss Malzahn, the obvious changes coming to the staff should he return next season as the head coach, the recruitment of Clemson quarterback transfer Kelly Bryant and whether Auburn will land him and much more. Editor Brandon Marcello, columnist Phillip Marshall, recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr and publisher Ronnie Sanders also discuss the coaching carousel across the country, the Auburn basketball team's run in the Maui Invitational, the signing of point guard Tyrell "Turbo" Jones and whether Auburn has any shot at knocking off No. 1 Alabama in the Iron Bowl this week.  It's a jam packed episode filled to the brim and ready for Auburn fans to scarf down on this Thanksgiving holiday.

Gus Malzahn has the support of his athletics director and school president, so what does it all mean? Changes are still afoot for the Auburn football program. Staff changes are certainly coming on the offensive side of the football and The Auburn Undercover Roundtable is here to tell you what to expect and who to hear about in the coming month as a dramatic regular season winds down on the Plains and a busy offseason certainly comes around the corner. The guys also discuss the possibility of Clemson transfer quarterback Kelly Bryant coming to Auburn and much more in this roundtable discussion with publisher Ronnie Sanders, editor Brandon Marcello, columnist Phillip Marshall and recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr.

Auburn vs. Mississippi State pits two teams with the same strengths, weaknesses and questions against each other Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi. Neither team has lit the world on fire with their offenses, but their defensive lines have been absolutely stellar throughout the season. The only big difference is that one team is ranked in the top 10 nationally (Auburn) and the other is coming off disturbing back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Florida in which the Bulldogs scored only 13 points. Still, these teams have a lot more in common than some might think. In fact, one might say it's like looking in the mirror when these two programs meet Saturday inside Davis Wade Stadium. Brandon Marcello hosts a new episode of the Auburn Undercover podcast and previews the upcoming game, and provides his thoughts on both teams, before grabbing more intel from analyst and former Mississippi State quarterback Matt Wyatt, who provides much more information on what's happening in Starkville on the field. 

The Auburn Undercover podcast is a one-man show this week, but do not despair, we do have a guest! AUC editor Brandon Marcello is joined by SEC Network analyst and former Auburn offensive lineman Cole Cubelic to discuss Auburn's offensive woes and much more. Brandon discusses the perceived regression of quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the entire Auburn offense. Brandon and Cole discuss Stidham not throwing to wide-open receivers, why the offensive line hasn't quite improved as expected and the guys also look around the SEC to figure out where the Tigers stand in the pack. Brandon also gives a brief preview of Southern Miss and why the offense could have issues against the Golden Eagles' defense this weekend before hitting the road for a crucial stretch that starts with Mississippi State in Starkville next week.

The Auburn Roundtable returns to discuss No. 7 Auburn's big showdown against No. 12 LSU and much more on a jam-packed episode of the Auburn Undercover Podcast. Auburn Undercover's Brandon Marcello, Keith Niebuhr and Phillip Marshall discuss the game, why they believe LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is in for a rude awakening inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, the concerns with Auburn's running game, the strengths of LSU's defensive line, why the numbers may skew things for LSU's running attack and much more. The guys also preview a huge recruiting weekend for the football and basketball programs, and they also believe news might be on the way for both Gus Malzahn and Bruce Pearl on the commitment front. 

The Auburn Undercover Roundtable returns to review the Tigers' 21-16 victory against Washington and what it means going forward this season. Auburn Undercover editor Brandon Marcello, publisher Ronnie Sanders, columnist Phillip Marshall and recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr discuss the Tigers and more fallout from Week 1. Is the Auburn running game something to worry about? What can Auburn do to correct its issues with run blocking and the lack of touchdowns in the red zone? The guys ponder those questions and more, and give kudos to the gutsy play calls on offense and defense in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference in the game. The guys also discuss the other big games from Week 1 and whether LSU is getting too much credit for knocking off Miami on Sunday. Plus, the Auburn Undercover crew discusses the mess at Florida State, Jimbo Fisher's debut at Texas A&M, the games we have our eyes on this weekend and what we expect to see Saturday when Auburn hosts FCS foe Alabama State inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Auburn Roundtable returns for its final bout in talking season. No. 9 Auburn finally opens the season Saturday against No. 6 Washington at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic, and the guys are full of opinions about the game and much more in college football. Auburn Undercover editor Brandon Marcello, columnist Phillip Marshall, publisher Ronnie Sanders and recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr preview the game and share what they believe to be the challenges the Tigers will face against the Huskies inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Will Auburn's offensive line hold up against Washington's defensive front? Can Auburn get its running game going with a new starter? Will turnovers pop up once again for Auburn, which has lost two straight games dating back to last season inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium? The guys talk all about the Tigers and Huskies, and the scandal at Ohio State rocking college football.

Auburn Undercover editor Brandon Marcello, columnist Phillip Marshall and recruiting analyst Keith Neibuhr sit down to preview preseason practice and much more in the triumphant return of The Roundtable. The guys sit around and discuss the weakest spots on the roster heading into preseason camp, why J.B. Grimes has the toughest job of everyone on the Auburn coaching staff and why several moves could be made along the offensive line when preseason camp gets underway at Auburn. They also discuss athletics director Allen Greene's adjustment time at Auburn, whether a football facility is on the horizon for Gus Malzahn's football program, Auburn's strength of schedule, trap games for the 2018 season, the possibility of a handful more of commitments in the next couple of weeks, why Phillip is not concerned about anything on defense and much more. The guys also weigh in on the controversy at Ohio State and whether Urban Meyer should keep his job. It's a jampacked episode in the exciting return of The Auburn Roundtable presented by AuburnUndercover.com.

Brandon Marcello is amped up for his latest podcast. He has thoughts — oh, he has thoughts! — on Tony Barbee's denial of sub-tweeting Auburn during its blowout in the NCAA Tournament. That's not all he talks about in the latest episode of the Auburn Undercover podcast, however. He discusses the status of Bruce Pearl, the future of Auburn basketball, the NBA prospects for two Auburn players and what/if any timeline there is to figure out Pearl's future on the Plains. He also discusses football and the return of spring practice after a 12-day break in this episode presented by WeHaveDoughnuts.com.

Brandon Marcello and Michael Niziolek break down Auburn's draw in the NCAA Tournament and whether the Tigers can reach the Sweet 16 in this fast-reaction episode. Plus, they discuss the Tigers' reaction to learning they were a No. 4 seed and what might be different in practices this week before facing No. 13 seed College of Charleston in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Auburn Undercover podcast is presented by WeHaveDoughnuts.com.

Auburn didn't place a player on the first team of the coaches' all-SEC list, a first for an SEC champion. Why did it happen? Brandon Marcello and Michael Niziolek discuss the strange omission and wonder if there is a deeper reason why the Tigers were snubbed. Also, what does the future hold for the Tigers in the SEC Tournament? The guys discuss that, NCAA Tournament seeding and spring football practice, and also answer listener questions in this latest episode of the Auburn Undercover podcast presented by WeHaveDoughnuts.com.

Auburn basketball had three games to wrap up the SEC and now it comes down to the season finale. Can Auburn fight off its tired legs, lack of depth and uneven play on defense to knock off South Carolina and win its first SEC title since 1999? A loss at Arkansas didn't provide much hope for a turnaround for Bryce Brown and Jared Harper, who both continue to struggle shooting the basketball, but will they be rested in time for Saturday's big game against the Gamecocks? Brandon Marcello and Michael Niziolek break it all down and give you an inside look at the basketball program heading into the biggest game of this millenium. The show is presented by WeHaveDoughnuts.com.