The hunt for Will Muschamp kept the Auburn fanbase on the edge of its seat for 13 days.
Rumors swirled of a potential head coaching job at Houston or even taking over as defensive coordinator at South Carolina.
But in the end, it wasn't a tough decision for Muschamp on where he'd be coaching in 2015.
"This is a very easy decision for us to have the opportunity to come back to Auburn, which we think is a very special place," Muschamp said. "We're certainly back to be a part of the family."
The decision may have been easy, but Muschamp is now tasked with revamping a defense that allowed more than 30 points in the final six SEC games this season.
The Tigers are 61st in the nation in total defense this season and finished 87th nationally in 2013, creating a perception that it's difficult to field a top-tier defense alongside a "Hurry Up, No Huddle" offense.
Muschamp, whose defenses ranked in the top 10 nationally during five years as a SEC defensive coordinator, dismissed this notion, stating that the difference in plays is not as vast as some believe.
"Last year at Auburn, they averaged 72 plays per game offensively," Muschamp said. "At the University of Florida, we averaged 70. There's a huge difference sometimes between perception and reality."
An area of focus for Muschamp will be along the defensive line. The Tigers are 95th nationally in total sacks this season and allowed 197 rushing yards per game in their final six conference games.
Muschamp complimented the strength of Auburn's front seven, and said he is looking forward to working with a number of players he recruited at Florida.
"Especially in this division, you better win the line of scrimmage, or you're not going to have a chance," Muschamp said. "So in terms of that, you've got to be able to stop the run."
From a coaching standpoint, Muschamp said little has changed in the seven years since he left The Plains.
"From the standpoint of basic fundamentals, we're never going to change," Muschamp said. "Give me great effort, have a great attitude when you get on the field and give me great energy."
Head coach Gus Malzahn said Muschamp was the perfect fit for the position, hitting "all the above" in their search criteria.
"After I decided to make a change, my goal was to go out there and get the best defensive coordinator in the country," Malzahn said. "I also wanted a class guy. A true professional. Will fit all of the above."
Malzahn singled out Muschamp's energy as a defining characteristic of his coaching style.
"I love his energy," Malzahn said. "You know, I'm an energy guy, too. I was really wanting someone who had great energy and intensity to really have that defense take on his personality."
The dynamic between Malzahn and Muschamp will be interesting considering the latter's recent stint as a head coach in the SEC.
That said, Muschamp said he is merely considered with winning championships, no matter if it's as a head coach or a coordinator.
"It's not about being a head coach," Muschamp said. "I'd rather be defensive coordinator at Auburn and have a chance to win championships."
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