Report: Auburn to hire Dallas Cowboys National Scout Drew Dabianich to staff

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Auburn has hired Drew Fabianich as their new General Manager and Director of Football Scouting and Development. Fabianich has been with the Dallas Cowboys organization since 2004, spanning nearly two decades with the NFL organization.

“Long-time Cowboys National Scout Drew Fabianich is making a move to big-time college football,” Rapoport said. “He accepted the job of General Manager and Director of Football Scouting and Development for Auburn Football, source said. With several NFL opportunities, Fabianich opts for college.”

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin is adding Fabianich as the Tigers continue to build their recruiting staff and attempt to compete in the recruiting arms race within the SEC. Now, they bring in one of the top scouts from inside the NFL, being part of 18 drafts with the Cowboys. Fabianich has been part of drafts that include Zack Martin, Dak Prescott, Tyron Smith, and DeMarcus Ware. It’s an impressive resume.

Fabianich will now wear multiple hats on the Plains, serving as a general manager first. Recruiting will be a huge aspect but so will the transfer portal. As the Director of Football Scouting, Auburn will now have somebody looking at current college players who are looking for new homes. Fabianich will be the one running the show.

Most importantly, this shows what is to come in college football. As Rapoport mentions in a later tweet, programs are beginning to look more and more like NFL franchises. He says Fabianich “won’t be the last” to jump from the NFL into the college ranks.

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin comments on offseason drama

As his future was very publicly put into question this offseason, Harsin tried to focus on what’s ahead of him. Even after it was revealed that he was staying, Harsin had work to do. The situation resulted in a lot of discussion and distractions for the program, but Harsin has kept his focus on the field. He knows that’s ultimately what he is here to do.

“Well listen, number one I think that’s always going to be something that people speculate in many programs. Like who the decision-makers are,” Harsin said. “More so at Auburn from what I’ve learned. But at the same time, like I’m here to coach football. I’m here to lead this team, I’m here to help build this program.

“So from that standpoint, I don’t get into too much of those decisions and necessarily who’s making them. To me, everybody has a responsibility. I’ve got bosses, that’s one thing I understand as well. I’ve got things that I need to do as the football coach here. People make decisions.”