Getting to know Bryan Harsin

The news of Auburn parting ways with Gus Malzhan is three months old at this point. Auburn hiring Coach Harsin to replace him is almost as old. However, there is still a lot to learn about the Tigers’ new head coach. Auburn is the fourth school to have Harsin on staff in some capacity. Coach Harsin has about 20 years of coachin experience.

Brian was born in Boise, ID on November 1st, 1976. He was raised in Boise and went on to play quarterback at Boise State University from 1995 until 1999. He landed a job as a running backs/quarterbacks coach at Eastern Oregon University in 2000. In 2001, Bryan returned to Boise State to serve as a graduate assistant. From 2002-2005, he coached tight ends for his alma mater. In 2006 he was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and he stayed in that role through the 2010 season. In 2011 Bryan moved down south to serve as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Texas Longhorns. In 2013 Bryan filled Gus Malzhan’s role as head coach at Arkansas State when Malzhan was hired by Auburn. Bryan got his chance at the job he had wanted for 14 years in 2014, being the head coach of the Boise State Broncos. His overall head coahing record is 76-24. In December, Coach Harsin decided to leave his beloved alma mater, the job he spent 14 years grinding for, and the place that had been his home for most of his life to come coach at Auburn. There is no question that Bryan wants to be a Tiger.

The biggest question mark with Coach Harsin will be his ability to recruit in a very competitive environment. He will be competing with Nick Saban at Alabama, Dabo Sweeny at Clemson, Kirby Smart at Georgia, Dan Mullen at Florida, and the list goes on and on. Harsin brings a mindset of working hard and putting forth your best effort. If this message is well conveyed, Harsin will do a fine job recruiting. Auburn’s brand-new, $91 million dollar football complex will also help.

The Auburn Tigers Football Program is looking forward to an exciting spring. A new coach always brings renewed energy, but Harsin takes that to a new level. Harsin has also made many exciting hires to fill out his coaching staff. He hired Mike Bobo as offensive coordinator and Derek Mason as defensive coordinator. He also kept Auburn legend Carnell “Cadillac” Williams as running backs coach. With a great head coach and a stellar staff, the sky is the limit. It will be interesting to see what this new staff can accomplish with Auburn. War Eagle!