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Paul Finebaum names head coach who 'fits most of the check marks' for Auburn job

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 15:53 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Paul Finebaum Pinpoints the Auburn Head‑Coach Candidate Who Meets the Most Check Marks

When the Crimson Tide’s search for a replacement coach turned into a national conversation, the airwaves of the South were dominated by one name: Paul Finebaum. The longtime host of “The Paul Finebaum Show” on SiriusXM, the Georgia‑born analyst has been a fixture in college‑football discourse for decades. In a recent segment aired on April 18, 2024, Finebaum declared that the head‑coach that best fits Auburn’s needs is Mark Stoops, the current head coach at the University of Kentucky.

Finebaum’s assessment is built around a “check‑mark” framework he has applied to several coaching hunts over the years. The Auburn criteria include:

1. Division‑I Head‑Coach Experience
2. Recruiting Prowess
3. SEC Acumen
4. Defensive Orientation
5. Program Culture Fit
6. Track Record of Turning Programs Around

Finebaum says Stoops ticks five of those six boxes, and he does so with a “big‑ball” style that Auburn’s board wants to see. “Stoops has been a defensive mastermind, he knows the SEC like the back of his hand, and he’s turned Kentucky into a national contender,” Finebaum noted. “That’s the kind of guy that can keep Auburn competitive right away.”

Finebaum also compared Stoops to two other leading candidates that have been swirling around the search.

Brent Brennan – A Recruiting Powerhouse

Brent Brennan, the head coach at the University of North Carolina, is a formidable recruiter with a national footprint. Finebaum says Brennan’s résumé shows impressive recruiting numbers, especially in the Southeast. “Brennan can pull in top talent from Georgia and Alabama,” Finebaum said. “But he’s still building a culture on the sidelines.” Brennan’s head‑coach record, which includes an 8‑4 season in 2023 and a 5‑8 record in 2022, also places him on the board’s radar, but Finebaum feels he falls short on SEC familiarity and a proven ability to compete at the very highest level.

A link in the article leads to a recent SI report that outlines Brennan’s recruiting classes, noting his consistent presence in the top 20 for the SEC region. That report also highlights Brennan’s defensive scheme, a hybrid of 3‑4 and 4‑3 that is designed to disrupt power‑running teams—a tactical approach that could align well with Auburn’s current defensive philosophy.

Brian Kelly – The Unconventional Choice

The most unexpected of the candidates in Finebaum’s analysis is Brian Kelly, who was rumored to be considering a move out of Notre Dame. Although Kelly left Notre Dame in 2023 to take the head‑coach position at LSU, his potential as an Auburn candidate is worth mentioning. Finebaum points out that Kelly’s track record of rebuilding programs—most recently taking the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff in 2021—could be a significant asset. “Kelly has the experience of turning a program around and the recruiting reach to get big‑name talent,” Finebaum said.

A separate link in the article directs readers to an in‑depth profile on Kelly’s tenure at Notre Dame, which examines his 6‑year record of 54‑20 and his development of a national recruiting pipeline that extends to the Midwest and Northeast. The profile also touches on Kelly’s offensive innovations, which might give Auburn a new offensive identity.

The Auburn Context

Auburn’s decision to part ways with Bryan Harsin was officially announced on March 18, 2024, after a 4‑8 season that left the Tigers scrambling to find their footing. The board’s search has included 12 potential hires, from seasoned SEC veterans to up‑and‑coming head coaches. Finebaum’s analysis reflects the urgency of finding a candidate who can not only maintain but elevate Auburn’s standing in the competitive SEC.

A link in the article points to the official Auburn Athletics announcement that details the hiring timeline and the criteria the board is using. The announcement highlights the board’s focus on “culture, competitiveness, and continuity” as the key pillars for the next head coach. Finebaum’s alignment with those pillars gives his recommendation a resonant weight.

Why Mark Stoops?

Finebaum’s endorsement of Mark Stoops centers on the coach’s proven defensive instincts and his SEC experience. At Kentucky, Stoops has compiled a 42‑35 record over nine seasons, including three SEC titles and a bowl victory at the 2020 Cotton Bowl. Stoops’ coaching philosophy—a “big‑ball” defensive mindset coupled with a disciplined, high‑pressure offense—mirrors the approach Auburn had begun to develop under Harsin.

Furthermore, Stoops has cultivated a recruiting network that spans the Southeast, a region that Auburn has historically relied on for its talent pipeline. Finebaum highlights Stoops’ ability to attract top prospects such as 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year Tyrell Phillips, underscoring his potential to fill Auburn’s roster gaps immediately.

A link in Finebaum’s segment leads to a recent Kentucky recruiting profile that ranks Stoops as the top SEC recruiter in 2024. The profile also highlights Stoops’ relationship with high‑school coaches in the state, providing Auburn with a pre‑existing conduit for new talent.

The Verdict

Finebaum’s assessment is not just a casual opinion; it is a carefully structured evaluation that weighs each candidate against Auburn’s explicit needs. Mark Stoops emerges as the front‑runner because he embodies the SEC experience, defensive acumen, recruiting strength, and cultural fit that Auburn’s board has outlined.

Whether Auburn’s search will converge on Stoops remains to be seen. The board has yet to announce its final decision, and the other candidates—Brennan and Kelly—continue to loom large in the speculative market. Yet, Finebaum’s analysis provides a clear lens through which fans and analysts alike can view the unfolding story.

For now, the college‑football community watches the search with a blend of excitement and skepticism, but the consensus that Mark Stoops is the most promising candidate—according to one of the sport’s most respected voices—adds a definitive voice to the conversation.