Bryan Harsin has found his next offensive coordinator in Austin Davis
AUBURN – Bryan Harsin found his man. Auburn’s next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will be Austin Davis, sources confirmed to Auburn Live and On3 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Davis has been offered the job and verbally accepted, sources told Auburn Live on Wednesday, December 15.
Auburn makes the hire official
This report has been updated on December 18, 2021, as Auburn made the hiring of Davis official:
“From the first conversation I had with Austin, you could just feel his passion for coaching and teaching the game,” Harsin said. “He’s spent the past 10 years as a player or coach in the NFL, bringing that experience from the highest level into our offensive and quarterback rooms. He’s learned and been around some of the best in the business and has been on an upward trajectory since joining the coaching ranks. We can’t wait to get him teamed up with the rest of our staff.”
“I’m honored and privileged to be the next Offensive Coordinator at Auburn University and to be a part of an elite staff led by Coach Harsin,” Davis said. “Being born and raised in Mississippi, you know very well what SEC football is all about and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity that is before me. I’ve been very fortunate to work for one of the best organizations in all of sports and would like to extend a special thanks to Pete Carroll and John Schneider for believing in me as a young coach. I can’t wait to get down to the Plains and get to work. War Eagle, y’all.”
Pete Carroll, Seahawks HC: “Austin is going to show that he is one of the bright young minds in the game. He’s been able to transition from player to coach unlike anybody I’ve ever seen. It was just so smooth for him, and he’s been thinking like a coach for a long time, obviously because he was able to capture the role. Russ (Wilson) thinks the world of him, Shane (Waldron) thinks the world of him, and I do too because he is really, really good at what he does. He is going to really be a big benefit to their program.”
Russell Wilson (Seahawks QB): “I think Austin is going to be a brilliant offensive coordinator and potential head coach one day. He has a passion for the game, number one. Number two, he’s got an understanding of the game as he’s played the position at the highest level in the National Football League. And three, he’s an amazing teacher. He’s an amazing teacher of the game. He keeps it simple in terms of relaxing the quarterback’s mind. He’ll be an amazing coach at Auburn.”
Blake Anderson, Utah State HC (Davis’ OC at Southern Miss): “Austin Davis is an amazing hire for Bryan Harsin and the Auburn football program. His path from four-year starter and Conference USA Champion as a walk-on quarterback at Southern Miss, to a starter in the NFL, tells you all you need to know about his work ethic, competitive drive, and passion for the game. I have watched Austin grow in this profession since retiring as a player and those same traits have only been magnified as a coach. He will do an outstanding job as an offensive coordinator at this level.”
From Larry Fedora, former UNC and Southern Miss HC: “What a great hire by Bryan Harsin and Auburn. Austin Davis is a tireless worker who will be innovative in his offensive approach. He has that ‘it’ factor as a leader and mentor everyone wants. Austin is an overachiever in everything he attacks, whether that’s being a walk-on quarterback and leading his team to a conference championship or being an undrafted free agent in the NFL only to prove folks wrong and play seven years at the highest level. I know his character, his knack for developing strong relationships and the quality of his work on the offensive side of the ball. Austin will make Auburn fans proud.”
More on the Davis’ hiring
[Here’s Auburn’s official release, if you want to read from the website]
The NFL season is still ongoing, so Auburn and the Seattle Seahawks are working through the logistics of when Davis will start with the Tigers.
Davis comes to Auburn from the Seahawks, where he served as the quarterbacks coach for the last two seasons. The Meridian, Mississippi native was an offensive assistant for the Seahawks in 2019. Davis has desired to return to the south, if the right opportunity presented itself.
Harsin targeted Davis in early December. The two spoke often, and as Harsin and Davis communicated, they quickly built a good relationship. Sources indicate Harsin pitched Auburn’s newest quarterback commitment, Holden Geriner, as someone he believed Davis could help develop into a very successful quarterback at Auburn.
Sources indicate that Harsin intends to call the plays, with Davis coordinating the offense and coaching the quarterbacks.
All this comes after Harsin and Mike Bobo parted ways shortly after the season ended. Bobo led the Auburn offense for one season.
Davis started 10 of 16 career games in the NFL, while playing for St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle and Tennessee. He completed 236 of 378 passes for 2,548 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Davis has an impressive athletic background. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 MLB Draft in the 31st round. His brother, Bo, played for the San Diego Padres.
For Davis, this will be a return to the south. Davis was born in Meridian, Mississippi, and played his college football at Southern Mississippi. He threw for 10,892 yards and 83 touchdowns in four seasons. Davis also rushed for over 1,000 career yards and 25 touchdowns.
Davis was awarded the Conerly Trophy in 2011. That award is given to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi. Davis also won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2011. That award is given to the most outstanding college football player that started his career as a walk on.
