The Bryan Harsin era is officially underway on the Plains and for the first time in many years, Auburn football fans will be able to attend an open practice. The Tigers will have three practices under their belts when they step on the field at Jordan-Hare this Saturday, March 20.
Former head coach Gus Malzahn was pretty secretive about practices and never held an open practice in his eight years on the Plains. According to Tom Green of AL.com, though practices were never fully open to the public Malzahn did allow media to attend parts of specific practices.
Saturday’s open practice is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. with gates opening at 11:00. Fans are being asked to wear masks and social distance, park in the Auburn Arena lot and enter through Gate 12, which is located on the South Donahue side of the stadium right across from the arena.
Join us inside Jordan-Hare!
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) March 17, 2021
Practice on Saturday will be open to all fans!
Please remember that masks and social distancing is required.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/LrHGKM4bfs
This open practice is another testament to the change that Bryan Harsin and his new staff have been committed to instilling in the culture of Auburn football, and fans on Twitter took notice.
New Auburn coaching staff embraces fans, decides a random open practice this Saturday won't get you beat this fall. Different. Refreshing. https://t.co/AsQWhxfCCH
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) March 17, 2021
This new era of Auburn Football seems more fun already https://t.co/d0Q6DZmGjO
— Kyle (@AllAubarn) March 17, 2021
People were also quick to take shots at the team’s former head coach for keeping practices strictly sealed for so many years.
A fully open practice in AU?! Didn't think that was possible cause you'd give away your trick plays against Bama https://t.co/jJW7AzvKXd
— Capt. Isaiah Bradley (@Nick_King_Cole) March 17, 2021
Gus was too worried all 6 of his offensive plays would be exposed https://t.co/yiHlclwy7b
— Proud Donator to OTV (@GrizzlyAdams16) March 17, 2021
Gus would never https://t.co/K49oJnz2YJ
— Austin Whitt (@Austin_Whitt) March 17, 2021
But fans weren’t the only people sharing the hype on Twitter; several members of the coaching staff chimed in as well.
See y’all there!!!!!! 🤝#WDE 🦅 https://t.co/esrKeMEIi4
— Darren Uscher (@DarrenUscher) March 17, 2021
Let’s Go! #WDE https://t.co/LaZzsSpmgY
— Cornelius Williams (@CoachCwill) March 17, 2021
The practice will offer an opportunity for fans to get a taste of what the team looks like as a program being run by Bryan Harsin before A-Day in April.