Georgia will still see Mike Bobo next season. He will only be the offensive coordinator for the Auburn Tigers, instead of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
After initially signing up to join Shane Beamer’s South Carolina team, Auburn announced on Thursday that Bobo would join Bryan Harsin’s Tigers team.
“I have great respect for Coach Harsin, both as a coach and as a person,” said Bobo in a statement released by the school. “I fought him for five years as a head coach and we talked about it on several occasions over the years. I know what he does and his commitment to excellence. I know that Auburn is a large community with a huge passion and commitment to Auburn football. I’m excited to get started and hope to help coach Harsin compete for championships. “
Welcome to The Plains, @CoachMikeBobo!#WarEagle
– Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 7, 2021
Bobo was a former defender and offensive coordinator in Georgia, serving in the latter role under Mark Richt. He is also a former teammate and a good friend of current Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
After Bobo’s attack in 2014 topped the SEC’s score, he accepted the position of Colorado State coach.
In the five seasons at school, Bobo compiled a record 28-35 before the school parted ways after the 2019 season.
Bobo spent the 2020 season serving as Will Muschamp and South Carolina’s offensive coordinator. When the Gamecocks fired Muschamp, Bobo took over as interim coach. Bobo led the Gamecocks during the 45-16 loss to Georgia this season.
South Carolina had already won the commitment of 5-star quarterback Gunner Stockton and Bobo played a significant role in this recruitment. Georgia finished as runner-up in Stockton’s services for the first time. Stockton plays at Rabun County High School in Tiger, Georgia.
Related: Gunner Stockton: The next day, the 5-star QB chose South Carolina
Bobo may not be the only ex-assistant set to train at Auburn next season, as it was reported by footballscoop.com that Will Friend will be the Tigers’ next offensive lineman. Friend has served as a coach on the offensive line in Tennessee for the past three seasons. Like Bobo, Friend was a longtime assistant to Richt.
Auburn is also expected to hire Derek Mason to be his defensive coordinator, although the school has not yet officially announced the hiring. Mason was Vanderbilt’s head coach for the previous seven seasons.
Harsin was hired at Auburn to replace Gus Malzahn. During Harsin’s time as head coach of Boise State, he compiled a 69-19 record. This will be Harsin’s first coaching job at the SEC at any level. Harsin trained against Bobo when the two were in Mountain West, with Harsin’s Broncos making it 5-0 against Bobo and Colorado State.
Georgia beat Auburn 27-6 at home last season. The two schools meet each season, as Georgia is Auburn’s annual rival.
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