Aubserver Mailbag 96: The Promise of the Unknown

This week: Athletic director moves, Under Armour, hiring play-calling geniuses, Bo Nix, tailgating foods and beverages, black coffee, sports bars, Bryan Harsin

QB Robby Ashford (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Hi, folks. I'll be brief.

Thanks again for your continued support of The Observer. Things are rarely calm on the Plains, and this year is no exception.

Our growth is a testament to y’all’s passion for Auburn, even when there’s uncertainty.

Ferg and I are thrilled about the reception to Friends of The Program spearheaded by Pablo and Dave. I think you’ll like what else we have in store with FOTP soon.

In this week’s mailbag we tackle some big ifs, athletic director agendas, what to do with play-calling geniuses, top-tier tailgate food, my feet and more.

Shall we?

If the results of the season improve and recruiting continues in the right direction — two BIG “ifs.” What does a new AD have to lose by retaining Harsin for one more year and seeing how things play out?

Reece

Perhaps showing my ignorance, I initially believed that Auburn would cast Bryan Harsin aside before a new athletic director was hired to shield that person from making a move which could carry some baggage for a problem that they didn’t create.

However, any remaining equity for Harsin seems to have disappeared, as public sentiment shifted swiftly during the first half of the 2022 season. There seems to be little, if any, doubt that it’s time for change. Meaning, the new athletic director almost certainly gets to arrive a hero, should they do the expected and part ways with Auburn’s head football coach.

Rarely is a fanbase as united as Auburn’s is now while it waits for what I believe to be an inevitable — albeit lucrative — departure.

While there is plenty of deserved frustration directed at Harsin, the thing Auburn absolutely cannot afford right now is apathy — and there’s already a lot of that going around.

So, even with a surprise second half to the season and a tick up in recruiting, it’s hard to imagine Harsin being in a position to save his job. But let’s say he does. Do you really feel like things are getting better when you examine what’s likely to return on this roster in 2023? Has Harsin’s coaching given you much indication that he can do a lot with a little?

To me, at this point, it seems clear that it’s best for Auburn football to move on. I maintain this was true for Gus Malzahn at the end of the 2020 season, under very different circumstances. Alas, it appears we didn’t make the right hire. The next athletic director will quickly get their own shot, and in doing so, put their stamp on a team currently moving in the wrong direction.

For at least a moment, it will make them very popular.

Auburn finally comes to its senses and names you AD. What is your Day 1 agenda for the new position?

Jordan

Another popular move would be getting as far away from Under Armour as possible.