Here we go again, Auburn football fans.
After Bryan Harsin was initially linked to the Washington head coaching job that was eventually filled by Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer, the Tigers coach is once again being linked to a Pac-12 program.
This time, the Oregon Ducks’ vacancy is one Harsin is being pigeon-holed into after a disappointing 6-6 season that crumbled just as AU was gaining traction nationally as a potential CFP party-crasher.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah linked the Pacific Northwest native to the open job in Eugene on Monday:
"Bryan Harsin, Auburn coachThere have been rumblings that Harsin might be looking to get out of Auburn after a 6-6 season, and Oregon would be a strong transition for the former Boise State coach. He led the Broncos to a 69-19 record in seven seasons, including three Mountain West titles. One potential complication? Oregon has a vaccine mandate. Harsin hasn’t been forthcoming about his vaccination status as Auburn’s vaccine deadline approaches (employees must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 18). After seeing Wazzu go through the Nick Rolovich saga, Harsin’s lack of transparency may convince the Ducks to avoid the drama."
Auburn football head coach Bryan Harsin isn’t going to take the Oregon job
Of course, the vacancy for the Ducks program was created by Mario Cristobal making the jump to the University of Miami, supplanting Manny Diaz while he was still on the recruitment trail for the Hurricanes.
It’s a cold college football world, but Harsin isn’t here to leave the Plains high and dry after giving him the freedom to fire Cornelius Williams after five weeks and further empowering him to find a new offensive coordinator following Mike Bobo’s dismissal.
It’s trendy right now to link Harsin to any job opening in the Pacific Northwest, but he and his family left that region for a reason.
Auburn is his new home, and he has pledged his commitment to the Tigers program following the end of the regular season. All of this smoke is mere news fodder for the national media.