It feels like only a matter of time before another change is made at Auburn when discussing the head coach Bryan Harsin.
According to Andy Rittenberg of ESPN, Bryan Harsin is one of the six major coaches who could be next to join Scott Frost, Herm Edwards, and Geoff Collins. Ironically enough, two coaches with ties to Harsin are on the list. Eli Drinkwitz, who just lost to Harsin, made the cut as well as Harsin’s replacement at Boise State, Andy Avalos.
If Auburn had lost to Missouri, a game it led 14-0 after 12 minutes, Harsin might not have survived the weekend with his job. Thanks to Missouri’s overtime goal-line fumble, he gets at least another week on the Plains, but needs a strong showing Saturday against LSU. Industry sources continue to say interim athletic director Rich McGlynn is a strong candidate to land the permanent job, and could handle the Harsin firing and the initial part of a coaching search. Auburn’s defense played much better against Missouri than the week before against Penn State, but Harsin’s offense has scored more than 24 points just once in four games. – Rittenberg
It doesn’t seem like a fair shake for Harsin, who has only been on the job for 17 games and has compiled a record of 9-8. However, if you look at recent events you can see why there is a level of frustration. After starting out 6-2 in his first season, the team would finish 3-6 since that time. That includes the five-game losing streak to close out the 2021 season.
More now than ever, coaches aren’t given four or more years to right the ship. With changes in recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal it has kicked up the pressure. Fair or not, that puts more emphasis on winning football games and recruiting. Two key reasons why Harsin has been linked to the hot seat dating back to the offseason. A 9-8 record and the No. 55 recruiting class (lowest at Auburn since 2004) are putting all the pressure to perform on this staff.
On Saturday we will find out if Harsin can fight off any talk of his demise for another week.
The full list of “Hot Seat” games in October:
LSU at Auburn on Oct. 1:
If Harsin is going to make a job-saving run, it must begin against LSU. A loss could seal his fate as Auburn’s coach, especially an ugly one. Auburn also must show tangible progress on offense. After LSU, Auburn faces three consecutive ranked opponents, beginning with No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 8 in Athens.
- Colorado at Arizona, Oct. 1
- Louisville at Virginia, Oct. 8
- Fresno State at Boise State, Oct. 8
- Appalachian State at Texas State, Oct. 8
- Tulane at South Florida, Oct. 15
- Vanderbilt at Missouri, Oct. 22
- West Virginia at Texas Tech, Oct. 22
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