Auburn football fans had already seen enough to want someone else besides Bryan Harsin in the head coaching seat before October 1st’s LSU matchup at home, but a 17-0 lead turning into a 21-17 loss — following interceptions from Robby Ashford and receiver Koy Moore in the fourth quarter — was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Harsin’s play-calling has historically fallen off a cliff in the second halves of games, but the players themselves are not blameless. Still, there’s something systemic in Auburn converting on not a single fourth-quarter third-down conversion in the last four Power Five games in addition to 2023 Big 12 member Houston back in the 2021 Birmingham Bowl.
The Auburn University brain trust could be biding their time until they dismiss Harsin in the offseason in order to save money on his buyout. Per Opelika-Auburn News reporter Adam Cole, he’d be owed approximately $15.9 million if he is fired this week. The number goes down to approximately $15.6 if they wait until the Georgia matchup, while waiting until the end of the regular season gets the number to approximately $15.3.
Truthfully, the savings are almost insignificant in the long-run. However, waiting on the offseason could open up the pool of potential candidates. One potential candidate that fans like is currently leading a top-10 team in the country. In fact, Auburn football fans spent the moments after the 21-17 LSU loss begging Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to take the AU head coaching job…
Lane Kiffin or bust. I don’t care
— BigBarnerBrand 🥶 (@BigBarnerBrand) October 2, 2022
Hear me out. Auburn head coach Lane Kiffin.
— Ryan (@RyanHampton) October 2, 2022
@Lane_Kiffin Don’t you want a student section like this? Please.. https://t.co/VeTTMyLOWs
— Orange and Blue glasses 🅿️ (@EricHamilton21) October 2, 2022
We’re a wreck without you, @Lane_Kiffin pic.twitter.com/cqoBBBX4uK
— Auburn Tweeter (@Auburn_Tweeter) October 2, 2022
Don’t like this if you’d be willing to come rescue Auburn 👀
— caleb (@autigerfan22) October 2, 2022
@Lane_Kiffin take a look at this dawg. Even when Auburn SUCKS the fans are there to support you. You could make your dreams come true here 😉#ComeToThePlains https://t.co/DL2u2SYTQs
— Brrrr 🥶❄️ (@nextyrforsure) October 2, 2022
Auburn football is not a contender for Lane Kiffin at the moment
As great as it would be to have quarterback whisperer Lane Kiffin calling plays on the Plains for the foreseeable future, it doesn’t appear as though it’ll happen — and Nebraska fans should similarly stop fantasizing about the same thing in Lincoln.
Kiffin rebuffed any interest in the Nebraska and Auburn football jobs on his social media, sharing a piece by USA Today Network’s Blake Toppmeyer titled ‘Forget Auburn or Nebraska. Lane Kiffin and Mark Stoops can make playoff already’ (subscription required).