Auburn University administration officials are actively gathering all related information regarding the stability of its football program, according to a statement the university released on Monday.
“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 reads. “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.”
Following a 6-7 season, which ended with a five-game losing streak, rumors have been circulating of late which cast an uncertain future for head football coach Bryan Harsin.
Since the season’s end, Auburn has experienced an exodus of coaching staff and on-the-field talent. Five assistant coaches and around 20 players have left the program since Harsin’s first season at the Plains was capped with a losing record.
The statement comes after outgoing university president Jay Gogue reportedly stated that institutional leadership was attempting to weigh the charges levied against Harsin by former players who had taken issue with the coach’s treatment of them. Other players, however, have come to Harsin’s defense over the way he has handled the program.
This past weekend, Harsin, while on vacation, told ESPN that he had been fielding questions regarding his outlook as the Tigers head coach. According to Harsin, his focus remains on building a successful football program.
“All I can tell you is that nothing has changed with me,” said Harsin. “We’re working toward getting this program where we all want it to be, and that’s where my focus is going to remain until I’m told otherwise.”
He added, “If somebody out there is trying to create a narrative for their own interests, I can’t control that.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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