Auburn recently fired their offensive coordinator, so they’re in the market for a new playcaller. Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has reportedly been one of their favorite targets. He is not the favorite right now, but if Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey declines and stays in Tempe, Spavital immediately becomes a big contender.
"Right now Chip Lindsey is the leader in the clubhouse. Jake Spavital & Eliah Drinkwitz are also on the list" - @colecubelic
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) January 12, 2017
Spavital worked with Malzahn and Hand at Tulsa in 2008. He's coached in the SEC while at Texas A&M and if Cal doesn't hire him as head coach after firing Sonny Dykes, Spavital will be looking for a job after making $385,000 last year.
Spavital made $385,000 last year with Cal. Departed Auburn’s offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee made $600,000. If Spavital does not win the Cal head coaching job and Auburn is serious about making Spavital a target, I imagine the Tigers could offer a hefty pay raise. I’m not sure if Cal would have the resources to match if the new coach wanted to keep Spavital on in his current capacity. Ole Miss already went out of its way to poach receivers coach Jacob Peeler earlier this week.
Spavital has interviewed for the Cal job. The current interim head coach and Justin Wilcox are the only two candidates we know that have gotten interviews. Other coaches that have been circulated include: Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, Washington co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, and current free agent Chip Kelly.