Bryan Harsin expected to remain Auburn head football coach
AUBURN – After an internal investigation by Auburn University and outside counsel into the football program, Bryan Harsin will remain the head football coach, sources confirm to Auburn Live.
ESPN’s Chris Low and Pete Thamel first reported the news. Auburn University hasn’t officially released any type of announcement.
Auburn Live has confirmed a team meeting at 3:45 p.m. CT to inform the players of the school’s intention to retain Harsin.
The news comes after Auburn conducted interviews with former coaches and players, as well as current coaches and players, were conducted by university officials over recent weeks. The inquiry into the football program centered around, in a broad sense, Harsin’s treatment of players and coaches.
Auburn Live reported on the evening of February 3, that Harsin’s job status was in question.
Bryan Harsin returned from vacation on Wednesday, February 9, and attended the SEC head coaches meeting in Birmingham on Thursday, February 9. Harsin briefly met with Auburn officials upon his return.
According to his contract, Harsin would have been owed $18.3 million or 70% of the remaining five years on his deal if he were fired without cause. Half that money — $9.15 million — would have been due in 30 days, the other half coming in four quarterly payments that would start on July 15.
Even if Harsin were to be fired without cause following the 2022 season, Auburn would still owe him a ton of money — nearly $15 million.
Auburn will begin spring practice in around three weeks.
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Brief recap of Harsin’s first season
Harsin arrived at Auburn after seven seasons at Boise State. His record there was 69-19. Harsin went 6-7 in his first and only season at Auburn. It was certainly a rocky tenure.
After a close loss at then top-15 Penn State, Auburn rebounded and rose to No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings after beating top-25 Arkansas on the road and No. 10 Ole Miss at home. However, that’s when it all seemingly went wrong. The Tigers didn’t win again, losing five straight games, including blowing double-digit losses to Mississippi State, South Carolina and Alabama. Auburn also lost the bowl game to Houston after holding a lead in the fourth quarter.
Since the season’s end, 18 players have entered the transfer portal.
Harsin hired and fired receivers coach Cornelius Williams after four games. Mike Bobo was dismissed after one season as offensive coordinator. Nick Eason left to return to his alma mater Clemson. Derek Mason left to become the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, and Austin Davis left his position as the new offensive coordinator 43 days after he was hired.
Harsin and Co. finished their first full recruiting class with a No. 18 ranking according to the On3 Consensus team rankings. That’s the eighth best class in the SEC.
