The Auburn Tigers are in a rut – let me rephrase that – the Auburn Tigers are in huge trouble. With a record of 2-5 and 15th in the SEC this season, a change in leadership is likely necessary.

Head coach Hugh Freeze is in his second season, but when you’re at the helm of an SEC team, high expectations come with the territory (unless you’re Vanderbilt). With an 8-12 career record with the program, it’s natural that fans and administration would start to wonder if his hiring was the right choice.

But if the decision is made to leave Freeze, who would be the best replacement? Well, the Tigers might not have to look far for the answer.

Auburn doesn’t need to look outside the SEC for its next potential head coaching hire. Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz would be an ideal candidate for the job given his experience with the program.

For two seasons (2010-11), Drinkwitz served as quality control coach at Auburn under head coach Gene Chizik. Bringing back a familiar face, who has had relative success at the conference, would be a smart move.

However, they aren’t the only ones in the SEC eyeing Drinkwitz. According to On3’s JD Pickell, the Florida Gators could also pursue his signature. He said Wednesday on “The Hardcount Podcast” that he’s stoned at Drinkwitz’s landing in Gainesville.

“If you ask me today, I think he’s probably the choice, at least to me, for the next head coach at Florida, assuming what we all believe (Napier’s firing) will happen at at some point,” he predicted.

Drinkwitz is 34-22 with the Tigers – it’s not fantastic, but he’s only lost three times in the last 18 months. He also qualified for a bowl game in each of the last four seasons for Missouri. Calling one Tiger for another could be the power move Auburn needs to reestablish itself as an SEC power.