After more than two years away from the game, former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin is finally set to return to coaching. Reports have emerged that Harsin is poised to take on a new role as the offensive coordinator for the University of California, Berkeley. This comes after a turbulent time away from coaching, which followed his controversial firing from Auburn in 2022. According to ESPN’s Chris Low, sources have confirmed that Harsin will join the Cal coaching staff, a move that not only marks a comeback for him but also reunites him with a familiar face in the coaching world.
Low posted the news on Twitter, saying, “Former Boise State and Auburn coach Bryan Harsin is set to become Cal’s OC, sources tell Adam Rittenberg and me. Harsin and Cal coach Justin Wilcox previously worked together as coordinators on Chris Petersen’s staff at Boise State.” This hire is significant for multiple reasons, not just because of Harsin’s previous experience but also due to his shared history with Wilcox. Wilcox, who is currently the head coach at Cal, was the defensive coordinator at Boise State during Harsin’s time as the offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2009. This long-standing professional relationship is expected to benefit Cal’s program moving forward.
Earlier this season, Cal made it clear that they were looking to shake things up in their offensive strategy, signaling that a change at the offensive coordinator position was imminent. Mike Bloesch had been at the helm of Cal’s offense for the past two seasons, but after a lackluster performance, the school began exploring other options. Harsin quickly emerged as a strong candidate to fill the role, bringing a wealth of experience as both a coordinator and head coach. The hiring will give Harsin an opportunity to rebuild his coaching reputation, while also reuniting him with Wilcox, with whom he shares a history of successful collaboration.
Before his tenure at Auburn, Harsin was the head coach at Boise State, where he enjoyed a successful run, compiling a 69-19 record. His success at Boise State made him an appealing candidate for the Auburn job in 2020, where he succeeded Gus Malzahn. However, Harsin’s time at Auburn was anything but smooth. He faced significant challenges in terms of recruiting, failing to build a strong program on the field. Additionally, his relationship with the Auburn fanbase and the broader Auburn community soured over time, as rumors and accusations surrounding his management style and interactions with players and staff began to swirl. This culminated in his firing in 2022 after only two years at the helm of the Tigers. Harsin’s departure was followed by a period of uncertainty and public scrutiny, and it was clear that his tenure at Auburn had left a stain on his career.
In the time since he parted ways with Auburn, Harsin has maintained a visible presence on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where he has often taken subtle jabs at his former program. Most recently, following Alabama’s victory over Auburn in the 2024 Iron Bowl, Harsin posted a photo of himself wearing an Alabama “LANK” shirt, accompanied by the caption “Cheers to the winners!” This public display of disdain for Auburn has been a recurring theme in his posts, further solidifying the strained relationship between him and the Tigers.
Harsin’s decision to join Cal is particularly notable because it is the same team that defeated Auburn on their home turf earlier this season. This adds a layer of irony to the situation, as it seems almost poetic that Harsin, who has frequently expressed his bitterness toward Auburn, would now take a job with a team that bested the Tigers. While this may be seen as a symbolic opportunity for Harsin to exact some level of revenge, it also gives him the chance to focus on coaching once more, away from the noise of his tumultuous Auburn experience. It remains to be seen whether he will spend more time on the field, developing the Cal offense, or if his social media presence will continue to offer glimpses into his thoughts on his past struggles.
Ultimately, this new chapter in Bryan Harsin’s career is one of redemption and re-establishment. By joining Cal as their offensive coordinator, he not only gets a fresh start but also the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has the coaching acumen that once made him a rising star in the world of college football. If successful, this move could be the beginning of a new era for Harsin, both personally and professionally, as he looks to leave behind the controversies of his past and focus on what he does best: coaching football.
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