This name is one to watch in Auburn football offensive coordinator search

As the dust settles on the Plains and Bryan Harsin will officially remain the head coach of Auburn football for another year, there is still much work to be done. Priority number one on the to-do list? Hire an offensive coordinator.

After parting ways with Mike Bobo at the end of the 2021 season, a long search for a new offensive coordinator ended in the hiring of former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Austin Davis. Unfortunately, Davis held the role for only 43 days before resigning, which catapulted the program into chaos.

Now, Bryan Harsin will have to quickly name a new offensive coordinator before spring practices begin and the 5-way quarterback competition gets underway.

The easy route here would be for Harsin to promote Eric Kiesau, the man who stepped up as wide receivers coach mid-season following the firing of Cornelius Williams. He’s worked with Harsin before as both quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Boise State, and it’s very possible he steps into the same position in the 2022 season.

While many fans are clamoring for the Tigers to hire former Auburn football player and coach Dameyune Craig, Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reports that Major Applewhite is a name to watch in the search:

"Another name is Major Applewhite. The former Texas quarterback was co-offensive coordinator with Harsin at Texas in 2011, and is currently the offensive coordinator at South Alabama after two seasons as Houston’s head coach, followed by two seasons as an analyst at Alabama. Applewhite coached South Carolina transfer Jake Bentley at quarterback this past season, as Bentley threw for 3,000-plus yards, and South Alabama’s offense improved from 19 points per game to 25 points per game in one season with Applewhite."

The pressure is heavy on Coach Harsin’s shoulders heading into 2022, and going with a trusted coach would likely be a good move for the Tigers’ head coach.