LOOK: Auburn tight end goes off on criticism, speculation about Bryan Harsin

Speculation about Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin and his future as the Tigers head coach have dominated much of the past two days. Despite a lot of criticism coming Harsin’s way, Auburn tight end John Samuel Shenker has come to the defense of his head coach.

Shenker opted to return to Auburn for another season, choosing to play under Harsin again instead of pursuing professional opportunities. Now, he is coming to bat for Harsin.

“Listen and Listen Carefully: @CoachHarsin is my football coach! He is the leader I want to have in my corner,” Shenker said of Harsin. “If you have a problem with his Discipline, Toughness, and Conviction that he instills in his players than get your entitled, selfish, and soft tail out away this program.

“I’ll go into a foxhole with guys who love each other and back up Coach Harsin! Also, if you reporters think this “publicity” is giving you credibility, you are more naive than I thought. Come out to a workout or practice and write about things you see instead of things you want to hear. WDE.”

Listen and Listen Carefully: @CoachHarsin is my football coach! He is the leader I want to have in my corner. If you have a problem with his Discipline, Toughness, and Conviction that he instills in his players than get your entitled, selfish, and soft tail out away this program.

— John Samuel Shenker (@JsShenker) February 4, 2022

Shenker’s comments are drastically different than those of former Auburn defensive lineman Lee Hunter. Hunter, who has transferred to UCF, slammed Harsin not for his ability to coach, but for the way he treated his players.

“The reason I chose to leave Auburn because we got treated like we wasn’t good enough and like dogs,” Hunter said. “I love you Auburn nation war eagle forever.

“Coach Harsin has the true mindset for a winner but has a terrible mindset as a person.”

Shenker’s support of Harsin might not be enough

While Harsin has the support of Shenker, it might simply not be enough to save his job. Auburn president Jay Gogue spoke out on Friday, addressing where the Tigers stand regarding Harsin’s future.

“There have been a lot of rumors and speculation about our football program. I just want you to know we’re involved in trying to separate fact from fiction,” Gogue said of Harsin’s future, via ESPN’s Chris Low. “We’ll keep you posted and make the appropriate decision at the right time.”

Harsin also recently addressed the rumors surrounding his future at Auburn. He made one thing clear: He isn’t ready to go anywhere yet.

“I’m the Auburn coach, and that’s how I’m operating every day,” Harsin told Low and Thamel. “I want this thing to work, and I’ve told our players and told everybody else there is no Plan B. I’m not planning on going anywhere. This was and is the job. That’s why I left the one I was in, to come here and make this place a championship program and leave it better than I found it.”