Finebaum: Bryan Harsin fired ‘2 weeks late,’ says John Cohen should target Lane Kiffin, Hugh Freeze

Auburn’s decision to part ways with football coach Bryan Harsin was the right move, Paul Finebaum said. In fact, it was late.

“Two weeks late but the correct move,” Finebaum told AL.com on Monday, not long after the university fired Harsin. “Harsin had no support left, and it seemed the school was clearing the decks for the new athletic director.”

As reported by AL.com, the Tigers are set to make Mississippi State athletics director John Cohen the athletics director on the Plains. AL.com confirmed Saturday that Auburn was zeroing in on Cohen and working to finalize a deal. Cohen informed Mississippi State president Mark Keenum of his resignation, effective immediately, the university of announced late Monday morning.

“Hiring John Cohen was very smart, and he’s well respected and someone very capable of conducting a search.

“But I think the hunt for the new coach really involves two people – Lane Kiffin and Hugh Freeze.”

Harsin went 9-12 overall and 3-5 this year. Auburn has lost four straight games while struggling against Power Five opponents, including a 41-27 loss to Arkansas on Oct. 29 that proved the final straw.

Auburn canceled its weekly football news conference about 90 minutes before Harsin was scheduled to speak. The school didn’t immediately name an interim coach. The Tigers play at Mississippi State on Saturday.

Harsin was hired away from Boise State in December 2020 and Auburn gave him a six-year, $31.5 million deal. He never came close to replicating his past success or making the Tigers competitive in the SEC, and he failed to keep up with rivals Georgia and Alabama on the field or on the recruiting trail.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.