Think someone here will be pleased-

Derek Mason to Oklahoma State. Brumbaugh was Harsin's DC at Boise, so there is a lot of familiarity there.

I think it is interesting that Harsin originally hired two SEC experienced coaches to be his original coordinators (Bobo - OC and Mason - DC); now, he has two of his guys (Davis and Brumbaugh) that have a combined one season of SEC coaching/recruiting experience. Will be fascinating to see if Auburn can take a step forward next year, or if they take a step back (which would quickly put Harsin on the hot seat, IMO).

Auburn's defense shut down Alabama in the Iron Bowl and nearly pulled off a miracle despite playing with a backup QB.

(01-22-2022 01:00 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Derek Mason to Oklahoma State. Brumbaugh was Harsin's DC at Boise, so there is a lot of familiarity there.

I think it is interesting that Harsin originally hired two SEC experienced coaches to be his original coordinators (Bobo - OC and Mason - DC); now, he has two of his guys (Davis and Brumbaugh) that have a combined one season of SEC coaching/recruiting experience. Will be fascinating to see if Auburn can take a step forward next year, or if they take a step back (which would quickly put Harsin on the hot seat, IMO).

I am, through experience, a firm believer that when hired to head up any organization the person in charge should succeed or fail on his/her own merits, or lack thereof. Nothing is more repugnant and unfair to a head coach or CEO than to inherit personnel from a failed staff or have your hiring committee (AD in this case) pick the people which you most have to trust to do your job.

I didn't like the Harsin hire. But he has the job and should be allowed to achieve or fail with a staff of his choosing. So, I'm glad the changes are his. Mason did an acceptable job, but not up to his predecessor's capabilities. Derek is solid enough and this way he distinguishes his abilities on his terms independent of Harsin. It is as it should have been when Harsin was hired. I've known too many solid leaders who have been crippled by the staff they inherit. In my own case I only took over one situation where I was forced, after the hire, to inherit a staff. It retarded the progress of the first year and meant what we would accomplish by year 3 could have been attained in year 2, and in my first year the old staff worked in concert to stall change and operated to appease a large donor.

No coach, no President of an organization, and no CEO should be forced to work with people who have a separate agenda or different loyalties.