Auburn announces decision on Bryan Harsin's future
After a turbulent couple weeks, Auburn made its decision. Bryan Harsin will remain the Tigers’ football coach.
ESPN reported the news Friday morning, and Auburn made it official later in the day. Questions and rumors swirled about Harsin’s job status in the wake of transfers, coaching changes and a quiet National Signing Day.
“The nature of these concerns compelled a fact-finding review,” Auburn president Jay Gogue said in a statement. “To do nothing would have been an abdication of the university’s responsibilities.
“Over the past week, my administration conducted that review. It included meetings and interviews with current and former football coaching and administrative staff, numerous players, university administrators and other individuals who offered perspective on the issues that had been raised. To be clear, this process, which was never individual- or outcome-specific, did not yield information that should change the status of our coaching staff or football program.”
More on Bryan Harsin, Auburn’s offseason
It’s been quite a ride for Harsin and the program over the last 10 days. Feb. 3, Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reported Harsin’s immediate future was “in question” after just one season on the Plains. The Tigers went 6-7, but lost their last five games on the schedule.
This offseason, there’s been plenty of staff turnover. Harsin fired offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, then hired Austin Davis to replace him — after Auburn Live reported he pursued Arizona State offensive coordinator Zak Hill, who resigned as a result of an investigation into the program. Davis resigned from Auburn 43 days into the job.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Derek Mason left for the same role at Oklahoma State and defensive line coach Nick Eason headed to his alma mater, Clemson. Auburn also had some big names enter the transfer portal this year, including quarterback Bo Nix. On National Signing Day this year, the Tigers didn’t announce any signings and Harsin didn’t hold a press conference.
Harsin recently got back from a vacation as the university was looking into the program. While he was away, the university adopted the “Employee Duty to Cooperate Policy,” which stated university employees must cooperate with investigations. That took effect Feb. 8 — one day before Harsin came back.
Thursday, Harsin attended the SEC coaches meetings and didn’t take questions as he entered or left. Friday, the decision came: He’s staying at Auburn. That put questions and speculation to rest.