Bryan Harsin addresses job security following blowout loss to Penn State

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin’s job security was already hanging by a thread to start 2022, and it took another big hit Saturday. After the Tigers suffered a 41-12 loss against No. 22 Penn State at home, Harsin fielded tough postgame questions about his future with the program.

The coach’s message was simple. Although he can’t control the narrative, he can control how he responds and realizes that days like Saturday ultimately aren’t going to cut it.

“I can’t control that,” Harsin said according to Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson. “I don’t control any of those other things. We need to be better. I believe in this team and I believe in what we’re doing.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Issues between Harsin and the Auburn administration were well-documented this offseason. The Tigers attempted unsuccessfully to first the coach for cause after he lost the final five games of his inaugural season to finish with a 6-7 record. Although Harsin ultimately kept his job, the message was clear.

Auburn athletic director Allen Greene resigned in late August, and Saturday’s loss to Penn State only makes it seem more inevitable to Harsin will follow. In fact, Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson even reported that a coaching change as soon as the bye week on Oct. 22.

Auburn scored first on a field goal from Anders Carlson with 8:20 in the opening quarter to take a 3-0 lead. But after that point it was all Penn State. From the 6:59 mark of the second quarter until the 1:07 mark of the third, the Nittany Lions scored 24 unanswered points to build a commanding 31-6 lead.

The Tigers also dealt with quarterback troubles as TJ Finley was pulled in the third quarter in favor of Robby Ashford. Prior to exiting the game, Finley turned over the ball twice — once on an interception and once on a fumble. Ashford didn’t do much better as his replacement, finishing 10-of-19 passing for 144 yards, one touchdowns and one interception.

After a performance like that and what went down this offseason, there might not be much Bryan Harsin can do to improve his job security at this point. However, he’ll do his best to turn things around next week when the Tigers face Missouri at 11 a.m. CT.