Auburn coach Harsin holds firm amid turnover and criticism

Updated Feb. 4, 2022 1:54 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin says he is “not planning on going anywhere” as he tries to navigate a tumultuous offseason of turnover in his program.

"I’m the Auburn coach, and that’s how I’m operating every day,”

Auburn went 6-7 in its first season under Harsin, who was hired away from Boise State a little more than 13 months ago.

The Tigers have had 18 players enter the transfer portal and five assistant coaches leave the program since the end of the season. Earlier this week, recently hired offensive coordinator Austin Davis

”I just want you know we’re trying to separate fact from fiction," Auburn President Jay Gogue said at a board of trustees meeting Friday,

Among the players who left the program was Central Florida defensive tackle Lee Hunter, who criticized Harsin's handling of players in a social media post Friday.

“Coach Harsin has the true mindset for a winner but has a terrible mindset as a person,” Hunter

Harsin forcefully pushed back on what he called an “attack on my character.”

“None of that is who I am,” he told ESPN.

Other players came to Harsin's defense.

"We didn’t need a best friend we needed a coach … that’s what we had," linebacker Chandler Wooten

“He is the leader I want to have in my corner,” tight end John Samuel Shenker

Harsin’s contract runs through the 2026 season and averages $5.25 million per season. If he is fired without cause, Auburn would owe Harsin 70% of the remaining value of the deal.

Harsin replaced Gus Malzahn, who was fired after last season and received a buyout of $21.45 million.

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