Austin Davis explains decision to step down as Auburn offensive coordinator

Auburn football made offseason headlines on Monday, when offensive coordinator Austin Davis — who was hired just over a month ago — reportedly stepped down before even coaching a game.

That news has since been confirmed by the university, which provided a statement from Davis on his decision to leave Auburn so abruptly. He cited personal reasons for his departure.

“The last week has been difficult for me as I’ve made the decision to step away from coaching football,” Davis said. “Auburn University and Coach Harsin have been tremendous through this whole process. I am grateful for the opportunity that was presented to me from a coaching standpoint and equally as important, the way Coach Harsin has handled my current situation.”

Bryan Harsin has cycled through quite a few coordinators since his arrival on campus. Auburn fired offensive coordinator Mike Bobo during the 2021 season, Harsin’s first with the Tigers, prompting the Davis hire in the first place. Then, Davis resigned — and his decision came just days after former defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who put together a nice year coaching the Tigers’ defense, stepped down to accept the same job at Oklahoma State.

“My decision to resign is 100 percent based on personal reasons. After more than a decade in the NFL with the daily grind as a player and coach I’ve realized how much I miss my family and my desire to spend more time with them,” Davis said. “While I need to step away from coaching, I can’t say enough about the first-class way I was welcomed into the Auburn family and the way this football program is run with a championship mindset and a focus on developing these young men into winners on and off the field.”

Auburn’s press release noted that the university will conduct a “national search” for a new head coach, rather than immediately appointing an offensive coordinator from within.

Prior to his arrival at Auburn, Davis spent the entirety of his young coaching career with the Seattle Seahawks. He was hired by Seattle in 2019 as the assistant quarterbacks coach, then was promoted to quarterbacks coach, a position he held for both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

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.