According to multiple sources, Auburn is set to hire Boise State’s Bryan Harsin as its new head coach. Harsin is replacing Gus Malzahn, who was fired nine days ago on December 13th. This concludes a search that had been full of rumors and fan speculation. In his career, Harsin is 76-34 overall and is 69-19 since taking over the Boise State program in 2014. The Broncos won three Mountain West championships under the leadership of Harsin in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Auburn Set To hire Bryan Harsin
Following Malzahn a Second Time
This is not the first time Bryan Harsin will be tasked with replacing Gus Malzahn. When Malzahn left Arkansas State after the 2012 season to take the Auburn job, Harsin was hired. In his one season with the Red Wolves they went 7-5 overall and tied for first in the Sun Belt with 5-2 mark. That was his only season with Arkansas State, and was hired at Boise State to replace Chris Petersen.
History With Boise State
Harsin has spent most of his time in college football with the Broncos. He was born in Boise, Idaho and played for the Broncos from 1995-99 as a quarterback. After a stop at Eastern Oregon, he returned home to be a graduate assistant under Dan Hawkins. Harsin took over as offensive coordinator in 2006 after Chris Petersen was promoted to head coach due to the departure of Hawkins. He was also the Broyles Award winner in 2009.
He did leave Boise State to become co-offensive coordinator for Texas during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. After the one season with the Red Wolves, he once again returned to Boise State to replace Chris Peterson who had been hired by Washington.
During his time as head coach for the Red Wolves and Broncos, Harsin has never finished worse than second place. His offenses finished in the top five of the Mountain West in six of his seven seasons. That includes three times finishing with the best offense from 2014-2016. Some notable players in those offenses are quarterback Brett Rypien and running back Jay Ajayi. Both of which have spent extended time on NFL rosters.
Bryan Harsin To Auburn; Good Or Bad Hire?
This is a solid hire for the Auburn Tigers. It is not a name that had been floated out in social media since the dismissal of Gus Malzahn, but one Auburn fans should be excited about. Harsin will bring a physical multiple offense that should give SEC defenses trouble for years. The key will be the staff he puts around him. With Harsin not having any SEC experience, it will be key to have staff members that do. It has been a stressful nine days for everyone involved with Auburn, but good days could be ahead.
