Auburn offensive line coach and temporary offensive coordinator Will Friend will not be retained
New Auburn coach Hugh Freeze will not retain offensive line coach Will Friend after two full seasons, Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson has learned.
Friend stepped into the offensive coordinator role when Eric Kiesau was let go after the Arkansas game.
He served as the offensive line coach during the entire Bryan Harsin era
Friend took the Auburn offensive line coach job after serving as offensive line coach at Tennessee for three years.
He was also the offensive coordinator at Colorado State. Friend’s offense was in the top 15 statistically in the nation. While filling in for Auburn he helped lead two victories against Texas A&M and Western Kentucky.
Recruiting under Friend
Friend was involved and had a say in who he wanted in his room.
He had two commitments in the class of 2022 in 4-star Eston Harris and 3-star Drew Bobo. After Auburn parted ways with former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, his son Drew decommitted and signed with Georgia. Harris signed with Auburn and is currently set to take a redshirt.
He currently has a hand in landing two offensive line commits for the 2023 class in 3-stars Bradyn Joiner and Clay Wedin. Friend was up to three commits at one point, but 3-star Gernorris Wilson has since decommitted.
Offensive line and offensive coordinator jobs officially open
Auburn, now under the direction of Freeze, is in the market for a new offensive line coach and offensive coordinator with the dismissal of Friend.
Friend was more than likely not expected to be retained under the new regime. It is unclear what move Freeze may make for the offensive line at this point. He has been known to call the plays in his offense while having an official offensive coordinator on staff as well.
Auburn, and Freeze, will move fast to secure an offensive line coach as the position may be the most challenging rebuild on the team.
