Bryan Harsin discusses his relationship with Auburn boosters after offseason drama

Earlier in the offseason, the future of Auburn football head coach Bryan Harsin appeared to be in doubt. Leaders within Auburn’s athletic department met to discuss the future of Harsin, but eventually after much speculation, he remained in place as the coach of the Tigers.

The situation was displayed on a rather public stage, as there was no doubt about what Auburn officials were discussing. It was about Harsin, who led Auburn to a 6-7 record and a Birmingham Bowl loss in his initial season with the program.

Following the offseason drama, though, Harsin has his eyes focused forward. He understands that it is a business, but now he is putting all of his effort towards football, making sure that his vision is aligned with those of Auburn’s leaders as well.

“The one thing that I look at is this isn’t about somebody winning or somebody losing at Auburn,” said Harsin earlier in the offseason. “When it comes to our program, when it comes to our university, this is about all of us aligning and pulling in the same direction so that we can be as strong as a program as anybody in the country. To me, that’s the key to success. When everybody’s pulling the same direction, when everybody believes or is aligned with what we want and where we want to go, then players and everybody in your program feels that. And at the end of the day, we all know when we feel that we feel like we’re in a really great environment where we’re getting better and everybody’s pulling in the same direction.

“To me that’s the key to our success and I feel like we’re doing that. I feel like we had some really productive conversations. I feel like we made a lot of strides in a really positive way. Leadership, our athletic department, our football program, we know the direction that we’re headed and the players and everybody feels that. So that gives us the momentum right now going into spring ball and will give us the momentum we need to go into the season as long as that continues.”

Harsin on Auburn drama: ‘I’m here to coach football’

As his future was very publicly put into question, Harsin tried to focus on what’s ahead of him. Even after it was revealed that he was staying, Harsin had work to do. The situation resulted in a lot of discussion and distractions for the program, but Harsin has kept his focus on the field. He knows that’s ultimately what he is here to do.

“Well listen, number one I think that’s always going to be something that people speculate in many programs. Like who the decision makers are,” Harsin said. “More so at Auburn from what I’ve learned. But at the same time, like I’m here to coach football. I’m here to lead this team, I’m here to help build this program. So from that standpoint, I don’t get into too much of those decisions and necessarily who’s making them. To me, everybody has a responsibility. I’ve got bosses, that’s one thing I understand as well. I’ve got things that I need to do as the football coach here. People make decisions.”