Auburn hires Boise's Harsin as new football coach
Brian Harsin was named the new head football coach at Auburn University on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy Getty Images)
COMBINED REPORTS
AUBURN – The Auburn Tigers have found their coach.
Bryan Harsin has been named the 28th head football coach in Auburn's 127 year history. The announcement came via athletic director Allen Greene late Tuesday afternoon after a nine-day search following the firing of Gus Malzahn.
"I'm incredibly excited and humbled for the opportunity to be at a place like Auburn University,” said Harsin, in a release from the university.
“I knew it would take a special opportunity to get me out of Boise and Auburn is exactly that, the chance to compete at the highest level for one of the greatest programs in college football. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and players in the Southeastern Conference, but am ready to help build a foundation at Auburn where we can consistently compete for championships. I want our program to make Auburn proud both on and off the field with consistent excellence. I'm very grateful to Allen Greene and Dr. Gogue for this opportunity. Kes, our kids and I can't wait to meet the Auburn family and get to work.”
Terms of the agreement were not released but published reports say Harsin was to make $1.85 million before a COVID paycut. He has a $250,000 buyout.
Harsin spent the previous seven seasons as head coach at Boise State where he compiled a 69-19 record while winning three Mountain West Conference titles.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Harsin to the Auburn family,” Greene said. “He's a proven winner whose record speaks for itself. Coach Harsin impressed me with his detailed plan to lead Auburn to consistently compete for championships in the Southeastern Conference. I'm grateful to Gen. Burgess, Quentin Riggins and each member of our advisory committee for their commitment to Auburn during this process. We look forward to welcoming Bryan, Kes and their children to the Plains to introduce them to the Auburn family."
A former Boise State quarterback, assistant coach and offensive coordinator, Harsin is 76-24 overall as a head coach – including one season at Arkansas State – and has directed his programs to bowl games each season. His impressive resume at Boise saw him lead the Broncos to five 10-win seasons, seven consecutive bowl appearances and six MWC West Division Championships. This past season he led the program to a 5-2 mark and a trip to the MWC championship game
In his debut season Harsin led his alma mater back to where it rose to national prominence. Boise State went 12-2 in 2014, winning its first outright Mountain West Championship and capping the campaign with a 38-30 victory over Arizona in the 2014 VIZIO Fiesta Bowl.
The victory in the Fiesta Bowl was the third such win for the Broncos in the previous nine seasons. Harsin, serving as offensive coordinator in the first two Fiesta Bowl victories, has been a part of each of the school’s three appearances in the game.
The team’s victory in the 2014 Mountain West Football Championship marked Boise State’s first outright league title since joining the conference in 2011, and the first overall since 2009.
Boise State also captured MW titles in 2017 and 2019, giving Harsin three in six seasons. In 2017, the Broncos capped the championship campaign with a 38-28 victory over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Broncos concluded the year at 11-3 overall and ranked No. 22 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls.
Boise State finished 5-2 in 2020, reaching the championship game before losing to San Jose State. The Broncos declined a bowl bid.
Harsin and his wife Kes have two daughters, Devyn Lynn and Dayn Mykena, and a son, Davis.