Bryan Harsin has ‘respect’ for Alabama

[aubiefifty 18,231]

al.com

 

Bryan Harsin has ‘respect’ for Alabama

By Giana Han

4-5 minutes

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Auburn new college football coach Bryan Harsin arrives on campus on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Bryan Harsin got his first taste of what it’s like to coach at Auburn when the first question he fielded was about the Iron Bowl, Nick Saban and the Alabama football team.

“Obviously, when you fly into the state of Alabama, it’s no secret. It’s 365 days talking about the Iron Bowl. Alabama, one of the top, obviously the top team in the nation. What have you seen from them? What have you been told so far about the Iron Bowl, one of the biggest rivalries in sports? And what do you think about Nick Saban and the program he’s put together?”

As Harsin got his first glimpse of what it’s like to be on the inside of the rivalry rather than a spectator, he simply chuckled. Then, he shared his take on the Iron Bowl.

“Let me just tell you how I view (it),” Harsin said. “Every single game we play is important. Every single practice and day that we spend in here is important. And if it’s not, then when you get in moments like that, I think they become too big.”

Instead, Harsin has his players focus on being 1-0 every day and on winning the task at hand rather than looking forward.

It’s a different take than former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s statement that the Iron Bowl is a game they think about every day, but Harsin followed up by saying he obviously has not experienced it first-hand and he respects the rivalry. His understanding of the Iron Bowl comes from where he’s “sat in the past.”

Harsin also added that his goal isn’t just to win the Iron Bowl. The goal is to win national championships. When asked how to win championships, Harsin said the key is to win every game leading up to it, hence the 1-0 mentality.

To get there, the Tigers will have to play competitive teams like rivals Alabama and Georgia. Harsin knows other teams in the conference have won championships, and he thinks Auburn can, too.

“This is the opportunity for us to do the same,” Harsin said. “But there’s got to be a process first that leads up to that.”

That means both the players and the staff need to “embrace the past” but “attack the future.” But in order to attack the future, they need to focus on the present instead of worrying about things that are “so far down the road.”

The focus Harsin is talking about applies in the weight room, on the field, and on the recruiting trail. Recruiting is a key to the other teams’ success, and Harsin plans to get Auburn’s recruiting going by competing and going to work every day. “There is no bigger platform than Auburn University,” and Harsin plans to utilize that.

Harsin’s inward focus is not born of a lack of respect for Alabama, though. It’s just his philosophy, the way he gets his team to put in the work that’s needed to win championships.

When the Iron Bowl does roll around, Harsin will walk onto that field with excitement, ready to face a coach and program he respects.

“As far as coach Saban, he’s done a tremendous job,” Harsin said. “Much respect from me for what he’s been able to do and the type of programs he’s put together. I’ve got nothing other than respect for him and what they’ve done and I’m certainly looking forward to competing against him and we’ll have our opportunity to do that. But we’re going to focus on what we need to do at Auburn and how we need to do it so we can put ourselves in position to compete when it’s time.”

[aubiefifty 18,231]

this is huge to me..............."Let me just tell you how I view (it),” Harsin said. “Every single game we play is important. Every single practice and day that we spend in here is important. And if it’s not, then when you get in moments like that, I think they become too big.”

[j0hnnyRingo 1,445]

I liked his response to that question.  Very tactical in his word choice.

[Butthead 525]

Yes. But it would have much funnier is he said he could not wait to stomp a mud hole in that midget. 

[homersapien 12,230]

1 hour ago, j0hnnyRingo said:

I liked his response to that question.  Very tactical in his word choice.

It was perfect IMO.

[homersapien 12,230]

36 minutes ago, Butthead said:

Yes. But it would have much funnier is he said he could not wait to stomp a mud hole in that midget. 

I'm sure there was a section in "The Prince" by Machiavelli on that. 

[Viper 3,501]

When I heard the question asked, I SO wanted him to say, "To quote Coach Dye, all it takes is 60 minutes."

[LKEEL75 2,567]

I like his answer and I like the fact his first IB will be at JH!  However, I do hope he understands and respects THE greatest rivalry in college football.

[im4aual 497]

The correct answer is "We respect Alabama, but we fear no one"

[McLoofus 35,182]

12 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

this is huge to me..............."Let me just tell you how I view (it),” Harsin said. “Every single game we play is important. Every single practice and day that we spend in here is important. And if it’s not, then when you get in moments like that, I think they become too big.”

The irony is that he sounds exactly like the current head coach at said rival program. Which is a very good thing and exactly the opposite of his predecessor. 

The work hasn't begun yet but he continues to win the press conference, which is the only thing he can do so far. So far, so good. 

[caleb1633 1,421]

47 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

The irony is that he sounds exactly like the current head coach at said rival program. Which is a very good thing and exactly the opposite of his predecessor. 

The work hasn't begun yet but he continues to win the press conference, which is the only thing he can do so far. So far, so good. 

That's what I also noticed when he was talking. He has a similar mentality to Saban in terms of winning—in Saban's book, he often talks about "Dominating every down."—but CBH also seems to have more charisma and passion for his players, like what you seen in Dabo Sweeney. Who knows if we'll get similar results, but at least the mentality is there. I think he'll absolutely be better than Malzahn. How much better will depend on the staff he puts together and how well he recruits.

[auburnphan 6,050]

3 minutes ago, caleb1633 said:

That's what I also noticed when he was talking. He has a similar mentality to Saban in terms of winning—in Saban's book, he often talks about "Dominating every down."—but CBH also seems to have more charisma and passion for his players, like what you seen in Dabo Sweeney. Who knows if we'll get similar results, but at least the mentality is there. I think he'll absolutely be better than Malzahn. How much better will depend on the staff he puts together and how well he recruits.

All you need is a great week of practice!!!!  Lol

[caleb1633 1,421]

4 minutes ago, auburnphan said:

All you need is a great week of practice!!!!  Lol

If only championships were won after a "great week of practice", Gus would have more Natties than Saban and the Bear combined!

[Hay Field 101 660]

I listened to Bobby Bowden this morning on WNSP 105.5 give his opinion on our new head coach and I started fist pumping and yelling. It was great. 

[TigerOne 1,231]

11 hours ago, Viper said:

When I heard the question asked, I SO wanted him to say, "To quote Coach Dye, all it takes is 60 minutes."

I wanted him to say this is about Auburn despite your attempts to turn this into a worship service for uat. Next question.

[McLoofus 35,182]

32 minutes ago, caleb1633 said:

That's what I also noticed when he was talking. He has a similar mentality to Saban in terms of winning—in Saban's book, he often talks about "Dominating every down."—but CBH also seems to have more charisma and passion for his players, like what you seen in Dabo Sweeney. Who knows if we'll get similar results, but at least the mentality is there. I think he'll absolutely be better than Malzahn. How much better will depend on the staff he puts together and how well he recruits.

I tried to look and see what kind of people he sought out to talk to and to bring in to talk to his players. Bo Jackson was the only one I could find, but that's a great start. I'd like to know if he's reached out to any specialists, or any coaches nationally that might be better at something than his teams have been, etc. That's something else I really want to see from him- imagination, curiosity and humility. Constantly searching the landscape for new ideas and ways to get better.

[fredst 9,070]

Seems like he might have read and embraced Sun Tzu....

[jAUSon 2,836]

1 hour ago, TigerOne said:

I wanted him to say this is about Auburn despite your attempts to turn this into a worship service for uat. Next question.

Missed a good chance. I liked the long-winded speeches he gave as answers, but I can't wait to start hearing those pissed off one-liners and snubs. That question no doubt will be in his mind when we meet the turds on the field. I bet he's already sick of it.

[CodeRocket 413]

I keep a number of quotations on my phone and here is one that I think applies to CBH's philosophy and one that I personally learned to be true in my teenage years, although it is from an unpopular source (If you are Auburn).

"It's not the will to win that matters, everybody has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters" -- Bear Bryant

[woodford 3,732]

13 hours ago, LKEEL75 said:

I like his answer and I like the fact his first IB will be at JH!  However, I do hope he understands and respects THE greatest rivalry in college football.

I think he does. I think that is made clear in the interview process. Also, every football coach in America knows how big the Iron Bowl is to an extent. 

[woodford 3,732]

Did he mention how inexperienced we are and that’s why we lost so many games? Lol God I cannot wait to see him push Bo harder than he’s ever been pushed. 

[aubaseball 2,819]

11 minutes ago, HarsinVOL said:

Harsin is well aware of his chances to 'make it" for more than 3-4 years at Auburn are slim. So did his agent.

What????this makes no sense. Is this you Gene? Or is this Gus??

[aubaseball 2,819]

15 minutes ago, HarsinVOL said:

The pre-Malzahn and post-Malzahn negotiations were performed professionally, making sure that the "if" or "when" compensation package is cast in concrete. Only a fool for a coach or a fool for an agent fails to realize understand their leverage.

This has nothing to do with the topic.   

[I_M4_AU 8,935]

40 minutes ago, HarsinVOL said:

Harsin is well aware of his chances to 'make it" for more than 3-4 years at Auburn are slim. So did his agent.

Could you double check with your relative and confirm this statement.  Let us know what he says.  I find it hard to believe he would have that attitude and still wanted the job.  It would seem he mislead AD Greene and Auburn if this is true.

[I_M4_AU 8,935]

3 minutes ago, HarsinVOL said:

No real need but I will look back at my many emails and make sure that I expressed Harsin accurately. I would offer that no one meant to withhold or represent themselves falsely. That's not the Harsin you are getting. He has consistently refused to play those kinds of games.

Well, this is like going into a marriage and anticipating getting divorced.  I am hoping the Harsin we are getting wants to make this his last coaching job.  It will be a challenge, but you would think after his press conference he would believe in himself more.  Auburn can be difficult with the PTB, but AD Greene made a stand to get him here and it is a little disappointing to hear he doesn’t think he will be here more that 3-4 years.