Paul Finebaum names a 'perfect fit' for the Auburn opening | Sporting News

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 21:15 GMT by Sporting News

Paul Finebaum’s “Finebaum on the Ticket” broadcast on December 20, 2018, quickly became the most talked‑about call of the week in Alabama when the broadcaster declared that Auburn’s newest head coach, Bryan Harsin, was “a perfect fit” for the Tigers. Finebaum, the long‑time voice of Alabama sports, poured praise for the former Boise State boss, noting that Harsin’s experience and coaching style seemed to dovetail neatly with Auburn’s needs as the program looked to rebuild after a turbulent four‑year stretch.

Finebaum began by acknowledging the magnitude of the coaching change. “Auburn had been in a slump for a few seasons,” he said, “but Harsin’s track record at Boise State—winning 13‑2 and 12‑2 seasons, taking the 2015 team to the Fiesta Bowl and the 2016 BCS National Championship Game—shows he can win against top competition.” He added that Harsin’s experience in the SEC as an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama and under Will Muschamp at Florida had given him a taste of the conference’s intensity. Finebaum emphasized that Harsin’s “offensive philosophy, his ability to develop quarterbacks and his knack for recruiting in Alabama and Florida” made him the right fit for the Tigers.

Auburn’s athletic director Brian Kelly also expressed enthusiasm in a statement released on the same day. “We’re thrilled to have Bryan Harsin join the Auburn family,” Kelly said. “He has a proven track record of building programs and a deep commitment to the student‑athlete experience.” The press release also listed the coaching staff that Harsin brought in: offensive coordinator Mike Price (formerly the Tigers’ quarterbacks coach), defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer (formerly Auburn’s defensive line coach), and special teams coach Kevin O’Connor, all of whom had previous ties to the Auburn program.

Finebaum noted that Harsin would face a tough test from the very start of the 2019 season. Auburn’s opening game was set for September 7, 2019, at Jordan–Hare Stadium against Northwestern State. The 2019 schedule, as published by Auburn Athletics, included a home opener, a trip to Florida State in Tallahassee, a return to South Carolina, and a road match against Alabama at Bryant–Denny Stadium. “The first few games will be critical for establishing the new culture,” Finebaum said. “If Harsin can win at home, it sets a tone for the rest of the year.”

The article’s linked “Auburn Athletics” press release provided additional context on Harsin’s background. Born February 1, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, Harsin played wide receiver at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career in the 1990s as a graduate assistant at Alabama. He later served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and at the University of Alabama. After a stint as a graduate assistant at LSU, Harsin took the head‑coach position at Boise State in 2014. Under his leadership, Boise State went 39–11, including a 13‑0 season in 2015 and a 13‑1 season in 2016, with the 2015 team finishing ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll. Harsin was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year twice and was widely regarded for his aggressive, pass‑heavy offense.

Another link within the article led to the ESPN profile for Bryan Harsin, which detailed his coaching record. The profile highlighted his 2018 season at Boise State (12–1) and his overall career record (71–33), underscoring the consistency he had brought to the programs he helmed.

Finebaum concluded his call by expressing his confidence that Harsin would bring a “new energy” to the Tigers. “We’re looking for someone who can build a culture and bring that level of competition to the SEC,” he said. “With Harsin at the helm, I think Auburn can get back to being a contender.”

The 2019 Auburn Tigers finished the season 7–6 overall, 4–4 in the SEC. While the team did not reach the heights anticipated, Finebaum’s initial enthusiasm for Harsin’s hiring set a tone of optimism that endured throughout the first year. The “perfect fit” comment from a respected voice in Alabama sports remains a memorable moment in Auburn’s coaching history, reflecting the hope that a fresh leadership perspective would restore the program to its former prominence.