Bryan Harsin comments after being retained as Auburn's head coach

After two weeks of speculation and rumors surrounding Auburn head football coach Bryan Harsin, the Tigers officially announced that Harsin would return next season. Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson first reported on Feb. 3 that Harsin’s future as Auburn’s coach was “in question.”

ESPN first reported the news of Auburn retaining Harsin as the team’s head coach, and the Tigers officially announced the news later on Friday. After a “fact-finding review, Auburn opted to give Harsin a second season.

The past couple of weeks have been hard for Harsin, and that had nothing to do with being a football coach. He was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, but he is ultimately happy that some came to support him.

“This has been one of the hardest weeks of my career and it had nothing to do with my coaching ability,” said Harsin. “The personal attacks on me and my family went too far and were without justification. Their resolve through this experience has been incredible but also completely expected. We saw and felt the worst of the worst in some people. Fortunately, we also saw the best of the best in others and we will always be grateful for the support of so many through a very difficult time – our players, staff, the Auburn family, and many others.”

Harsin: ‘I know who I am as a husband, father and football coach’

As Auburn conducted its investigation over recent days, Harsin said that he “cooperated fully.” He also took the opportunity to say that he knows who he is both as Auburn’s football coach, and as a husband and father.

“I know who I am as a husband, father and football coach and cooperated fully throughout this process,” Harsin said. “I believe that every challenge in life is an opportunity to grow and learn. This is no different. Every day we’re not moving forward together is a step in the wrong direction. In order for us to take the Auburn program where we all want it to go we must, at all levels, commit to each other and this great university that we all love. I’m confident we can get there under the leadership of Dr. Gogue, incoming President Roberts, Allen Greene, and our Board of Trustees.

“I’m proud to be your head coach and appreciate the opportunity to lead the incredible group of young men in our locker room. War Eagle!”

The Tigers went 6-7 in Harsin’s first season. After a turbulent offseason, he is hoping to see improvements all-around in 2022.