What Auburn athletics director John Cohen said about football coaching search
New Auburn athletics director John Cohen discussed the most important factor for him while hiring a new football coach when he was interviewed Saturday on the sideline of the Auburn-Texas A&M game on the SEC Network. Cohen reiterated a point made in his introductory news conference about making sure the new coach fits into Auburn's culture.
"It's all about fit, and the only way to determine fit is to ask a lot of questions, to do a lot of research. That's what a lot of those questions are about," Cohen said.
Cohen hired current Mississippi State coach Mike Leach after the 2020 season. Leach has gone 17-16 with the Bulldogs. Cohen was asked about what will be different hiring a coach at Auburn.
Toppmeyer:Auburn football is a trap job? Wrong attitude. Nick Saban is slipping, you know? | Toppmeyer
John Cohen:What is new Auburn athletics director John Cohen looking for in search for a new football coach?
"It's a different fit: Each institution requires a different group of characteristics," Cohen said. "Of course, Mike Leach has done a tremendous job there, but here at Auburn it's a different set of requirements.
"We're going to go out and get the right guy. There's never a sure thing, but I tell you this is a great institution. This institution had great coaches in the past and had great teams, and we're ready to get back to that level."
Cohen was introduced on Tuesday after his hire was made official last week. One of his first tasks will be replacing Bryan Harsin ,who was fired last Monday after going 9-12 over a little under of two seasons.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn AD John Cohen talks about football coaching search
