Auburn Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin has a large majority of media figures talking ill of his time on the Plains, but he also has a subsect of analysts who defend him with the claim that he hasn’t received a fair chance during his time at AU.
Opelika-Auburn News deputy editor Justin Lee is not in the latter group.
The truth on the matter may lie somewhere in the middle. On one hand, Harsin may have never been made to feel welcome by a brain trust that didn’t want him to be the guy in the first place — instead hoping to install Kevin Steele in the wake of Gus Malzahn’s firing. The flip side of that coin is that the Boise native simply didn’t connect with high school coaches across Alabama or certain players that were recruited by the previous regime.
Lee took down CBS Sports analyst Barrett Sallee’s claim of the former issue, in a tweet talking about a potential Hugh Freeze hire, by explaining the reason why Harsin didn’t work out in less than friendly terms…
Barrett, the reason Harsin isn't working is because he sucks. https://t.co/wNIsOdn9e6
— Justin Lee (@ByJustinLee) October 11, 2022
Lane Kiffin feels for Bryan Harsin amidst hot seat rumors
Ahead of a critical matchup against Bryan Harsin’s Auburn Tigers, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin addressed his October 15 coaching counterpart’s situation — relating it to his own situation of being fired in 2013 by USC five games into the season. “Well, I didn’t do very good,” Kiffin said at an October 11 press conference. “I got fired after five games, so I’m probably not the one to ask how to do that. I was 3-2, so I’m probably not the right one to ask that.”
Kiffin’s Rebels are undefeated and in contention for the SEC West crown for the second straight season. Unlike last year’s matchup at Jordan-Hare Stadium — when Auburn entered as a 5-2 touchdown favorite — Saturday’s matchup in Oxford is expected to be a one-sided affair. The spread for that game is up to two touchdowns through some sportsbooks.