Bryan Harsin addresses timeline for hiring Auburn offensive coordinator

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin had a unique first year at the helm, one that saw the Tigers reach high points, like their top-25 ranking early in the season, and follow it up with disappointment, like a 10-point blown lead against Alabama in the Iron Bowl and parting ways with their offensive coordinator.

Through ups and downs, there seemed to be one consistent flaw with Auburn’s performance, and it was entirely centered around the offense. Former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo simply wasn’t able to cater to Bo Nix, and the Tigers’ offense underperformed week in and week out, often flunking with mediocre situational play calls. As a result, Harsin fired Bobo just one year into a three-year contract and Auburn has been looking for a new offensive coordinator ever since.

A number of reports have surfaced linking different candidates to the opening — most recently, a report said that Auburn was very close to hiring Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Austin Davis to call plays. An announcement has not yet been made, though, and Harsin said Auburn will remain patient, doing its due diligence before officially announcing the hire.

“Same answer,” Harsin said, declining to provide a specific timeline that Auburn will follow as it searches for an offensive coordinator. “It’s really just — this is a chance right now, and the offensive side of the ball is a little different. I’ve been a part of that. So, the quarterback position and coaching that position is different because I’ve been a part of that as well. And I’m enjoying that. I talked about (offensive analyst Brodie Reeder), he’s doing a great job with those guys right now. He’s got those guys dialed into our game plan.

“All those (offensive coaches) have a piece. And I think that the offense is operating really well within the staff, so that’s good to see.”

Harsin seemed comfortable with the direction his offense is heading, despite the lack of offensive coordinator heading into the Birmingham Bowl against Houston. And with Bo Nix having entered the transfer portal, Auburn has a void at both the offensive coordinator and quarterback spots. Still, Harsin — who has a hand in his team’s offense — seemed confident in their abilities moving forward.

“I’m a part of the offense, and the recruiting has been busy but I’ll be more apart of that moving forward,” Harsin said. “So, the big key to me is really getting the right person in there. Scheme, how we coach the quarterback, I want somebody in there that knows that. I want somebody in there that will be elite at bringing in the best players in that position as well. But I also know I’m more about getting the right person in there to be in our staff and to help bring out the best in the coaches in that room as well, and the players on that side of the ball.

“There’s a lot of interest. Talk about an opportunity to be on the staff at Auburn, there’s a lot of people interested. It’s just about finding the right one.”