Harsin adds three to Auburn coaching staff
Mike Bobo took over as the interim head coach at South Carolina late in the 2020 season. On Thursday, he was announced as the new offensive coordinator for the Auburn Tigers. (Unv. South Carolina Media Relations)
COMBINED REPORTS
New Auburn University football coach Bryan Harsin continues to add to his coaching staff.
On Thursday, three assistants were named and all are familiar names among SEC football fans.
Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason was named the new defensive coordinator. Mason was fired earlier this season after leading the Commodores for seven years.
“Derek Mason is one of the best defensive minds in college football and his track record speaks for itself,” Harsin said. “I’ve always admired his ability to prepare his defenses and his approach with players on and off the field is outstanding. Having experience as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference is invaluable and he will bring a lot to our program. We’re fired up to have Coach Mason join the Auburn family.”
Mason guided Vanderbilt to its eighth postseason appearance in 2016 and finished the regular season 6-6, including four wins over the final six games. The season featured marquee SEC victories over Georgia, Ole Miss and No. 24 Tennessee. Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham became Vanderbilt’s first consensus All-American in more than three decades, sweeping first-team honors.
“Auburn University is a special place with special people, and I’ve witnessed this in my time in the SEC,” Mason said. “I admire the school, the facilities, the traditions and the uniqueness of the community. Auburn has everything! Auburn embraces all that I believe in and I’m very appreciative of Coach Harsin, Director of Athletics Allen Greene, and the University Administration for this opportunity. I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Harsin and I’m excited to hit the ground running.”
Mike Bobo was named the new offensive coordinator after guiding South Carolina’s offense last season.
Bobo spent last season at South Carolina as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach after a five-year stint as head coach at Colorado State. He also spent 14 years at Georgia.
“I have a great amount of respect for Coach Harsin, both as a coach and as a person,” Bobo said. “I competed against him for five years as a head coach and we’ve talked ball on numerous occasions over the years. I know what he’s about and his commitment to excellence. I know that Auburn is a great community with a tremendous passion for and commitment to Auburn football. I’m excited to get started and look forward to helping Coach Harsin compete for championships.”
Will Friend has been named Auburn’s offensive line coach. A former lineman from Alabama, he spent the previous three seasons as the offensive line coach at Tennessee and, prior to that, was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Colorado State.
“I’m happy to welcome Coach Friend to our staff here at Auburn,” Harsin said. “We both strongly believe that winning the line of scrimmage is one of the most important parts of a successful football team. His offensive lines have a history of being physically and mentally tough. We’re excited to have Will join the Auburn family.”