The rise and fall of a Boise State legend turned Auburn head coach
In short: Bryan Harsin once achieved legendary status at his alma mater, Boise State, leading them to multiple undefeated seasons and Fiesta Bowl victories. However, his subsequent tenure at Auburn was marked by investigations, player criticism, and a struggle to maintain the program's momentum.
Bryan Harsin's career is defined by his deep connection to Boise State University. A former quarterback for the Broncos from 1995 to 1999, Harsin returned to his alma mater as an assistant before eventually becoming the school's first alumnus to serve as head coach. During his time as offensive coordinator, he guided the team to a 61–5 record, including two undefeated seasons and two Fiesta Bowl victories against Oklahoma in 2007 and TCU in 2010.
His transition to head coaching roles saw significant highs and lows. After a successful stint at Arkansas State, where he led the Red Wolves to a Sun Belt Conference title and a 2014 GoDaddy Bowl victory, Harsin returned to Boise State as head coach in 2013. He led the Broncos to 10 or more wins in five of his seven seasons there, including a Fiesta Bowl win against Arizona.
Harsin's tenure at Auburn, which began in December 2020 with a $5.25 million salary, proved much more turbulent. His first season resulted in a 6–7 record, the team's worst since 2012. The program faced internal investigations following allegations of player mistreatment, with some players claiming they were treated "like dogs." Despite Harsin's defense that the inquiry was unfounded, he was fired on October 31, 2022, after a 3–5 start to the season, finishing with a 9–12 record.
By December 2024, Harsin moved into a new role as the offensive coordinator for the California Golden Bears.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bryan Harsin
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