Auburn football: 5 reasons why Bryan Harsin hire was a genius move
4. He isn’t afraid to take risks
There isn’t a much better way to explain Harsin’s wheeling-and-dealing offense than anecdotal evidence from his legendary play-calls at the conclusion of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl:
"There was a hook-and-lateral (which the Broncos called “Circus”) late in the fourth quarter, when Boise State faced fourth-and-18 with 18 seconds left. Quarterback Jared Zabransky completed a 15-yard pass to Drisan James, who then lateraled the ball to an in-stride Jerard Rabb, who proceeded to run the final 35 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Then, in overtime — after Okahoma scored on its first possession — Boise State answered with another trick-play score: A Wildcat pass from wide receiver Vinny Perretta to tight end Derek Schouman. The Broncos then topped off the game with perhaps the most iconic trick play in recent memory, when they ran a Statue of Liberty play for the two-point conversion, with Zabranksy faking the pass to the right before blindly handing the ball off to running back Ian Johnson behind his back and Johnson running into the end zone for the win (and proceeding to propose to his then-girlfriend, a Boise State cheerleader, on the field)."
That game is considered one of the all-time classic bowl games, and in a strange turn of events, Moore ended up having a greater NFL career than JaMarcus Russell from the National Champion LSU Tigers that year.
Given Moore’s lack of success at the pro level, it is fair to say Harsin’s effect on him was obvious at the collegiate level. Taking chances could well lead to the same thing happening to any number of Tigers on the offensive end.
5. His hiring was acclaimed
It feels good to see Auburn football hire someone so believed. Don’t believe me that Harsin is almost universally acclaimed? The War Eagle has the receipts:
Harsin is only 44 & is 69-19 at Boise St. He has recruited the South while HC at Arkansas St. & an assistant at Texas (but only 2011-13). It's certainly a way better hire than Clark or Steele would've been. I prefer Harsin over Napier, too, so my quick-hit reaction: Solid Hire.
— Brian Edwards Sports (@vegasbedwards) December 23, 2020
tbh this might be most non-Auburn Auburn move yet and I’m kinda digging it
— Allie Davison (@Allie_Davison) December 22, 2020
Bryan Harsin? I’ll take 76-24 any day. He’s a proven winner and an offensive mind. Welcome to the Plains, coach Harsin! #WarEagle
— Andrew Brian Sommers (@ABSommers) December 22, 2020
Bryan Harsin...I will absolutely take that and be very happy. That’s a solid hire, a good offensive coach and not some forced hire. Good job with the hiring process...all that matters is the hire, not the in between and Harsin is a good hire.
— Brian Harbach (@HarbachCFB) December 22, 2020
Be excited Auburn football fans. Brian Harsin could bring the Tigers back to the National Championship conversation, and if he is the true spiritual successor to Gus Malzahn, beating Alabama in the Iron Bowl is an achievable goal every season from here on out.
War Eagle, Mr. Harsin. Welcome to the Plains.
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