Who is Auburn football's play-caller: Bryan Harsin or Eric Kiesau?

AUBURN — When he fired his previous offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, two days after the 2021 Iron Bowl, Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin took over the play-calling for the next month. It's a role with which he was familiar, having his own coordinator background at Boise State.

Auburn was faltering down the stretch. Harsin ran the show in a Birmingham Bowl loss.

It all left fans wondering whether Harsin would leave the play-calling duties to new coordinator Eric Kiesau or do it himself.

He clarified his answer before the season opener against Mercer on Saturday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

"Coach Kiesau is the play-caller," Harsin said. "As far as play-calling, I've said this before, but everybody on the offensive staff, myself is included, is involved in the game plan. As we put it together I really think it comes from the entire staff."

Harsin is heavily involved in designing many of Auburn's plays, but when it comes to in-game decisions about which plays to deploy and when, Kiesau gives the call. He was Harsin's offensive coordinator for two years Boise State, so they have an established rapport.

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Kiesau started as an analyst on Auburn's staff and has been promoted twice, first to receivers coach. He's now the quarterbacks coach along with OC.

Asked whether Kiesau will operate on the field or from the press box, Harsin said he's not sure.

"He's been in the box but could be on the sideline," Harsin said. "It's really what he chooses to do. Right now he's been up in the box. I don't know if that's going to change or not. I leave that up to the coordinators."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Who is Auburn football's play caller: Bryan Harsin or Eric Kiesau?