CBS Sports names the SEC coach under the most pressure in 2022
According to CBS Sports, there's one SEC coach who will face more pressure than anyone else in the conference in 2022. And it's probably not a surprise which coach they named. Auburn Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin. Here's what CBS Sports' Barrett Sallee had to say about Harsin and the pressure he'll face in 2022: […]
According to CBS Sports, there's one SEC coach who will face more pressure than anyone else in the conference in 2022.
And it's probably not a surprise which coach they named.
Auburn Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin.
Here's what CBS Sports' Barrett Sallee had to say about Harsin and the pressure he'll face in 2022:
A coup attempt by influential members of the Auburn program nearly ousted Harsin during the offseason, but the second-year coach of the Tigers needs to thrive in order to survive in 2022. A 6-7 season should never happen at Auburn, even during rebuilding years. That's exactly what Harsin posted in his first year, which also included massive coaching turnover, a mass exodus of players to the transfer portal, a 25-point collapse vs. Mississippi State and an overtime escape from the clutches of Group of Five foe Georgia State.
Auburn and Harsin are each trying to make the best of an untenable situation.
It was clear from the day that Harsin agreed to replace Gus Malzahn at Auburn that he wasn't a good fit in the SEC.
Harsin, who took over for Malzahn after spending seven seasons as the head coach at Boise State, is a west coast guy who seems to be out of his element in the SEC.
For a while this offseason it looked like Harsin was going to be fired at Auburn after internet rumors threatened to end his tenure as the Tigers' head coach. Auburn investigated the unsubstantiated claims and didn't find enough evidence to fire Harsin.
It's hard to see Harsin sticking around much longer at Auburn. I think he's hoping to have a solid season in 2022 so he can parlay it into a gig in the Pac-12 or perhaps the Big 12 in 2023.
At the same time, Auburn is likely hoping for a good season so if Harsin leaves, the job will still be attractive (though the perception of the Auburn job has probably been hurt over the last two years thanks to heavy involvement from boosters).
There's pressure on Harsin, but it's only because he seems to be looking for a way out of a less-than-ideal situation.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
