Head football coach Bryan Harsin has found his name involved in rumors and reports for months. Dating back to December, his name had been linked to the head coaching jobs at the University of Washington and the University of Oregon.
Thursday evening and into Friday, reports indicated that Harsin's future was in serious doubt.
Harsin responded in an interview with ESPN on Thursday night.
"I'm the Auburn coach, and that's how I'm operating every day," Harsin told ESPN. "I want this thing to work, and I've told our players and told everybody else there is no Plan B. I'm not planning on going anywhere. This was and is the job. That's why I left the one I was in, to come here and make this place a championship program and leave it better than I found it."
Auburn President Jay Gogue confirmed that members of the administration were talking about Harsin's position at Auburn on Friday during the Board of Trustees meeting.
"I want to mention there's been a lot of rumors and a lot of allegations made about our football program," Gogue said. "I just want you to know we’re involved in trying to separate fact from fiction. We’ll keep you posted and make the appropriate decision at the right time.”
As reports flooded in, current and former players took to social media to voice their opinions on the head coach.
Outside linebacker Derick Hall, who announced in December that he would return to Auburn for his senior season, chimed in on Twitter. Hall led Auburn with nine sacks last season.
Chandler Wooten also took to Twitter to support Harsin. Wooten played a major role for the Auburn defense in 2021 after star linebacker Owen Pappoe went down with an injury.
John Samuel Shenker gave his support for Harrsin on Twitter as well. Shenker broke the single-season school record for receptions and receiving yards among tight ends this past season.
Former Auburn defensive lineman Lee Hunter went on Instagram to say that during his time at Auburn he and his teammates were "treated like we wasn't good enough and like dogs." Hunter transferred to the University of Central Florida in January.
Hunter also voiced his opinion on Twitter — citing that he wants to advise the players that may come to Auburn after him.
Smoke Monday on an Instagram live feed questioned Harsin regarding how much he cared for his players. Monday played all four years of his college career at Auburn.
Zakoby McClain was also on the Instagram live feed and took to Twitter, later saying that the rumors were "foolish." McClain also stated in a separate Tweet that Harsin is "a great coach and care bout us."
Barton Lester, who plays on special teams:
Former Auburn running back Shaun Shivers, who transferred to Indiana following the season, responded:
Meanwhile, some of Auburn's newcomers and class of 2022 signees chimed in on the matter.
Caleb Wooden, brother of Colby Wooden out of Lawrenceville, Georgia:
Micah Riley-Ducker, tight end out of Bellevue, Nebraska:
Damari Alston, running back out of College Park, Georgia:
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Jacob is a sophomore from Leeds, Alabama. This is his second year with The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @JacobWaters_
