Report: Pressure hits overdrive for Auburn, Bryan Harsin

On Thursday, Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reported that Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin’s immediate future was in doubt. Now, it appears that the situation is reaching pivotal points.

Al.com’s John Talty chimed in on the Harsin situation, saying that he believes that some have “ramped up pressure” to make a return to Auburn unlikely next season.

“Here’s what I’m comfortable saying: There’s been a concerted effort to ramp up pressure and make it untenable for Bryan Harsin to return for Year 2,” Talty said. “And Harsin has provided plenty of ammo from coaching departures to transfer portal exodus. Situation moving fast.”

In his first season as Auburn’s head coach, Harsin led the Tigers to a 6-7 record. Auburn lost 17-13 to Houston in the Birmingham Bowl to end the year. Since the conclusion of the season, there has been a mass exodus of sorts from Auburn’s roster and coaching staff.

In year one of his tenure as Auburn’s coach, Harsin’s staff consisted of Mike Bobo at offensive coordinator and Derek mason at defensive coordinator. Neither are still with the program. Harsin hired Austin Davis to replace Bobo at offensive coordinator, but a month after Davis was hired, he stepped down.

More on Harsin’s uncertain future as Auburn’s coach

Amid the rumors and speculation surrounding Harsin’s future as the head coach at Auburn, a former player chimed in with a strong and telling statement. Lee Hunter, a former four-star defensive line recruit, transferred from Auburn to UCF after the season. On Friday, Hunter posted a brief statement on his social media, but his words said a lot.

“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.”

Hokanson and Auburn Live also reported on Friday morning that there was an “executive level meeting” that occurred on Thursday night. The specific contents of that meetings of that meeting are unknown, but it was about the future of the football program. Another meeting could happen on Friday.

Harsin was hired by Auburn after a successful seven season stint at Boise State, where he amassed a 69-19 record. Auburn reached the No. 12 spot in the rankings early in Harsin’s tenure, but the Tigers struggled to end the season.