Auburn University President Jay Gogue let it be known that some of the rumors and reports that spread throughout the coaching search were false. In fact, he seemed to go after a candidate or two with a not-so-subtle statement.
In an email sent out to Auburn alumni and fans on Wednesday night, Gogue held nothing back.
It is also important to remember that not everything that is reported or posted on social media is accurate when it comes to coaching searches. In fact, some of it is disruptive, inaccurate and malicious. In our coaching search for example, no candidate was told that there were stipulations on who would serve on his coaching staff – not one. Only one trustee, who actually served on the search advisory group, had any part in the search process. Some candidates who reportedly “turned down” the Auburn job were never even offered the job. One candidate that made these statements never even had an interview, much less an offer.
That last line is especially specific toward UAB’s Bill Clark who claimed that he turned down the offer from Auburn because he would not have full autonomy of the coaching staff.
Per a report by AL.com, Clark was never offered the position but did have some talks with Auburn while Louisiana’s Billy Napier reportedly turned down the position to stay with the Ragin’ Cajuns.
The search ended with the hiring of Boise State’s Bryan Harsin. Gogue and Harsin appear to have already spoken on what evolved during the search.
Coach Harsin and I agree on many things and one thing is that much of what you see and read on social media are opinions or statements that are simply not based on fact. I regret that these comments hurt our university and many good Auburn people. Free speech is a treasured American right, but the Auburn family should also have the right to know the facts.