Pressure mounts on Auburn coach Bryan Harsin as discontent ratchets up across Tigers program

Pressure mounts on Auburn coach Bryan Harsin as discontent ratchets up across Tigers program

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin has come under fire over the last 24 hours after reports surfaced that his immediate future leading the Tigers is in doubt. Influential people outside and inside the program have taken exception with Harsin over myriad issues that have plagued the program, sources told CBS Sports. Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live reported on Thursday that officials are working to potentially fire Harsin “with cause” over the current state of the program. Meanwhile, John Talty of AL.com reports the situation is moving fast as the pressure mounts for Harsin to be ousted. 

Monday morning, Auburn issued a statement updating the situation as Harsin’s future remains very much in doubt after the weekend.

“The Auburn administration is judiciously collecting information from a variety of perspectives, including our student-athletes, and moving swiftly to understand any issues in accordance with university policies and procedures,” the statement read. “Decisions regarding the future of Auburn and its Athletics programs, as always, are made in the interests of our great university and in fairness to all concerned. We do not make institutional decisions based on social media posts or media headlines.”

Among the issues at hand include a mass exodus of players through the transfer portal, a five-game losing streak to end a 6-7 season, the inability to recruit at an elite level and multiple coaching departures. Nearly two dozen Tigers have left the program during the offseason, including three-year starting quarterback and Auburn legacy Bo Nix, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, veteran running back Shaun Shivers, wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson and six defensive linemen.

Additionally, offensive coordinator Austin Davis, who was hired in mid-December to replace Mike Bobo, resigned on Monday due to personal issues. Former defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who spent seven years as Vanderbilt’s head coach and is widely regarded as

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