John Cohen will prioritize quarterback development in Auburn football's coaching search

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One of the major factors leading to Hugh Freeze’s firing from Auburn football was inefficient offensive play and a lack of quarterback development. Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen aims to correct those issues in his head coaching search.

Cohen spoke before the media this week to explain his reasoning for dismissing Freeze, as well as what he is looking for in Auburn’s next head coach. One of the main areas Cohen will focus on in potential candidates is a track record of quarterback development, as he feels it could take Auburn to new levels.

“I know that certainly we have quarterbacks that have promise, that have futures. But for whatever reason, it just hasn’t worked in a game. I’m not talking about just our quarterbacks, I’m talking about our offense. And I think this is a good opportunity to know that I mentioned to our student-athletes just yesterday is, it’s really easy to get into a blame game and start pointing your finger at a quarterback or at the offensive line. What we know is, it’s just not working, and those student-athletes who we are responsible for because our staff brought them to campus. And I do believe we have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the football field. It’s just pretty obvious that it’s just not working.”

One of Auburn football’s major offensive struggles this season is quarterback play. Heading into Week 11’s action, starting quarterback Jackson Arnold ranks last in the SEC in QBR at 55.4 and is No. 16 among SEC quarterbacks with 1,274 passing yards. It does not help matters that he has also been sacked 32 times through nine games, and has been sacked five or more times in three games this season.

As a whole, Auburn ranks No. 119 nationally in passing offense, which is disappointing considering the strength of Auburn’s receiving corps, which includes one of the top receivers in college football, Cam Coleman, and the top transfer portal wide receiver, Eric Singleton.

Cohen plans to hire Auburn’s next head football coach “as quickly as possible” following Auburn’s game with Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 29.

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn head coaching search will prioritize quarterback development

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