2016 is a critical season for the Auburn football program and especially for their head coach Gus Malzahn. Malzahn arrived in 2013 and took a team that finished 3-9 in 2012 to a National Championship. However, since then his teams have dipped down. In 2014, Auburn had one of the country’s best offenses, but a bad defense caused them to stumble at the end after being ranked third as late in November. In 2015, they were picked to win the SEC mostly due to the hiring of Will Muschamp. However, quarterback Jeremy Johnson the enormous pressure put on him and folded after three games and the still inexperienced defense couldn’t handle the pressure of carrying the team. The defense did manage to hold their last four SEC opponents to an average 21 points a game but it didn’t help their season as they finished 7-6.

I still believe that Gus is the man for the job at Auburn as Johnson’s mental meltdown last year is something no coach can prepare for. There is no doubt that this year the Tigers desperately need to make a turnaround and as fall camp started on Wed., August 3, things didn’t get any easier. The Tigers’ most proven and experienced running back Jovon Robinson was dismissed from the program on the first day of camp. Gus didn’t go into much detail but did say “There are going to be no distractions this year.” To some it might seem like an overreaction on his part and not very smart to dismiss a player with Robinson’s talent and experience. However, it was no doubt the right choice.

In 2013 former Auburn player, Dee Ford said in an interview, “I’ve never seen a guy come in here and say if you mess up your gone, and be so believable.” That Gus needs to lead Auburn. Last year, Gus allowed Duke Williams to return despite summer problems and he was kicked off midseason.

Distractions can be killer to a football team especially one that is a question mark like Auburn. If Auburn is going to succeed this year, they can’t have the “CEO Gus” as their coach. Gus must be the hands on, no nonsense coach he was in 2013 for the Tigers to be successful. There can be No Distractions.