Bryan Harsin arrives for SEC head coaches meeting amid stalemate with Auburn
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Bryan Harsin returned from his vacation on Wednesday and arrived in Birmingham on Thursday morning at the SEC headquarters for the annual head coaches meeting that’s held in February.
Auburn Live reported last week that Harsin could be out as the Tigers coach after just one season. He finished 6-7 in his inaugural year, losing to Houston in the Birmingham Bowl.
On Wednesday, Auburn Live reported that the University uploaded a new policy to their compliance database effective on February 8, stating all employees were mandated to cooperate in school investigations and inquiries. Failure to do so could result in termination. Sources tell Auburn Live that Harsin refused to return from his vacation early and hasn’t been cooperative in the investigation to this point.
Auburn lost several players to the transfer portal this offseason, including three-year starting quarterback Bo Nix. This, along with an 0-5 finish to the year, is a major reason why the Tigers are considering parting ways so early into his tenure.
The Tigers also lost some assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Derek Mason. They hired Austin Davis to be their next offensive coordinator on Dec. 18, but he left the program on Jan. 31.
Auburn administrators have reportedly interviewed with some of the departing players and coaches. At the root of the inquiry, sources told ESPN, is the overall volatility in the program and Harsin’s treatment of players and assistant coaches.
Auburn president Jay Gogue addressed the rumors of Harsin’s future on Friday, stating that the Tigers are still working through the validity of various claims.
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“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.”
Parting ways with Harsin wouldn’t be cheap
If Auburn decides to move on from Bryan Harsin after one season at the helm, the university will owe him $18.3 million of his remaining salary. Of that money, half of it ($9.15 million) would be due in 30 days, while the other half would be paid out in quarterly payments over the next year. Should the university fire him for-cause, it would be void of having to pay; however, Harsin would likely fight for that negated salary in a lawsuit.
The Tigers coach has addressed the ongoing scrutiny about his job last week.
“I’m the Auburn coach, and that’s how I’m operating every day,” Harsin told ESPN in a lengthy interview last week. “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.”
In the wake of the evolving Bryan Harsin situation at Auburn, the university implemented a new policy this week. Effective Feb. 8, Auburn enacted the “Employee Duty to Cooperate Policy,” stating university employees must cooperate with investigations.
Harsin has been on vacation but returned to Auburn on Wednesday — one day after the policy took effect.
