Auburn offensive coordinator Austin Davis makes decision on future

Auburn hired former Seattle Seahawks assistant Austin Davis as its offensive coordinator last month, but he is already leaving the program, according to AuburnUndercover. On3’s Matt Zenitz confirmed the report. Before starting his coaching career in 2019, he played seven NFL seasons as a quarterback across six teams.

Auburn offensive coordinator Austin Davis, who was hired earlier this offseason, is stepping down and leaving the program, sources tell @on3sports. First reported by @auundercover.https://t.co/k5bN5NhJoE

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 31, 2022

Davis started 10 of 16 career games in the NFL, while playing for St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle and Tennessee. He completed 236 of 378 passes for 2,548 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Davis played college football for Southern Miss from 2008 to 2011. He was a four-year starter, compiling a combined 10,892 yards and 108 total touchdowns. Those numbers still rank second all-time in Golden Eagles history, behind Nick Mullens and ahead of NFL legend Brett Favre.

Auburn announced Davis as its next offensive coordinator after the departure of Mike Bobo, who was let go after just one season with the Tigers. As they now look for its third offensive coordinator of the one-year Bryan Harsin era, stability and experience become critical as spring practice approaches.

Comments on Austin Davis

Shortly after the announcement that he would join Auburn, Austin Davis received a big endorsement from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. He coached Wilson for the past three seasons in Seattle and the NFL star’s message assured Tigers fans of Davis’ ability.

“I think Austin is going to be a brilliant offensive coordinator and potential head coach one day,” Wilson said. “He has a passion for the game, number one. Number two, he’s got an understanding of the game as he’s played the position at the highest level in the NFL. And three, he’s an amazing teacher. He’s an amazing teacher of the game. He keeps it simple in terms of relaxing the quarterback’s mind. He’ll be an amazing coach at Auburn.”

Davis is still early in his coaching career, but he is seen as one of the better offensive minds in the game. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who both coached Davis and worked alongside him, thinks that Auburn made a great hire in Davis.

“Austin is going to show that he is one of the bright young minds in the game,” Carroll said. “He’s been able to transition from player to coach unlike anybody I’ve ever seen. It was just so smooth for him, and he’s been thinking like a coach for a long time, obviously because he was able to capture the role. Russ (Wilson) thinks the world of him, Shane (Waldron) thinks the world of him, and I do too because he is really, really good at what he does. He is going to really be a big benefit to their program.”