Athletics director Allen Greene on Paul Finebaum Show: 'I absolutely do' want to stay at Auburn

AUBURN — Auburn athletics director Allen Greene said he wants to remain at the school during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.

While addressing his own future and the recent internal investigation of football coach Bryan Harsin, Greene said "I absolutely do" want to stay. His contract, which began in February 2018, is set to expire Jan. 31, 2023.

There will be a new university president helping determine his future: Former engineering school dean Chris Roberts began his term May 16. Roberts the third president to supervise Greene in the AD's four years at Auburn. Greene pointed out during the interview that the revolving door of presidents has been a "unique" situation.

Asked to respond to reports that Greene has wanted to leave for the last year, he said, "I haven't missed (those rumors), and I hear people say stuff. ... I've said all along that I love being on the Plains. I love Auburn. My family does, too."

If there's any uncertainty about Greene's under the new leadership, it stems from Auburn's week-long probe of Harsin's football program in February. In Jay Gogue's final months as president, he wrote an open letter announcing the coach was retained for a second season.

"I think for us, the important part is to address the areas of concern and be able to move forward," Greene told Finebaum. "I'm thankful that Coach Harsin has made changes, but he's also now in a more stable environment, as COVID has – I won't say moved on, but as we've gotten more accustomed to it. I know he's engaging with our student-athletes. He's engaging with his coaches and with the fans."

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Greene hired Harsin in December 2020 and thus could be professionally attached at the hip with a waning contract as Harsin tries to rebound from the program's first losing season since 2012. The Tigers finished 6-7 overall and sixth place in the SEC West.

"We're very fortunate at Auburn to have people who care. I've been at places where there's been a little bit of apathy," Greene said. "I guess I've been one place, in the University of Buffalo. But having spent time at Ole Miss, having spent time at Notre Dame, there's people who take a great deal of pride in their football programs. And we weren't as successful as we should've been last year. Everybody knows that, and Coach Harsin knows that."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn AD Allen Greene addresses his future, Bryan Harsin on Finebaum