Auburn football fans were introduced to the newest head coach of the Tigers on Thursday and it seems that Brian Harsin is ready for anything as HC.
The Brian Harsin era began today on the Plains, with the newest Auburn football coach seemingly inviting all challengers in his press conference this afternoon:
"“I understand the expectations. I understand to win championships and play consistently, what it takes to do that. The areas we need to get better, we’ll discover as we go because we’ll get the right people in here to do that.”"
Auburn has not challenged for anything significant since UCF knocked them off in 2017 before declaring themselves National Champions. The War Eagle recognizes our Tiger brethren of Clemson as the true champions of that season, especially since it came at the expense of Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship.
That said, the focus is on the future in Auburn, and it is clear that Harsin is ready to take on the recruiting challenges this program faces after being considered a loser during signing day 2020:
"“I know the other teams in this conference have put together good teams, have been successful, have recruited well. This is our opportunity to do the same.”"
Dematrius Davis was a great get by Gus Malzahn and company, but it is clear that many recruits saw the dysfunction of the team this season as a reason to look elsewhere. Harsin can bring stability back to Auburn’s recruitment strategy, especially if he can bring the same offensive spark to the team he brought to Boise State.
Remember, Harsin was the man who engineered the most improbable trick play that capped off one of the most unforgettable bowl upsets of all-time against the Oklahoma Sooners in 2007. We’re not asking for statue of liberty run options on every goal-line possession, but the War Eagle isn’t out of line to expect more risks than Malzahn and his staff took the last few seasons.
Harsin appears ready, willing, and able to answer that call.