Auburn is finalizing a deal to hire Boise State’s Bryan Harsin as its next head coach, according to multiple reports Tuesday night.
Harsin will succeed Gus Malzahn, who was fired earlier this month after leading the program for eight years. Malzahn led the Tigers to the national championship game in 2013 but struggled to maintain a powerhouse since then, and the Tigers finished 6-4 this season.
The 44-year-old Harsin also replaced Malzahn at Arkansas State in 2013. He spent one season there, winning a share of the Sun Belt title, before moving on to Boise State and posting six consecutive seasons with 10-plus victories.
Harsin won three Mountain West Conference titles and boasts a 69-19 record with the Broncos. Boise State lost to San Jose State in the MWC championship game this season and opted out of the bowl schedule because of COVID-19 concerns.
“These young men have been through a lot this season,” Harsin said in a statement from Boise State. “COVID protocols required them to be away from their families for most of the season, and they understandably want to go home and be with their families for the holidays.”
Other candidates for Auburn’s top job included Hugh Freeze of Liberty and Kevin Steele, who served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator this season and was named as interim coach after Malzahn’s exit.
Auburn is set to face No. 14 Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.
