Auburn to hire coach at Boise State

Air Force, Navy to play on Sept. 11

Auburn hired Boise State’s Bryan Harsin as its head coach, luring him away from his alma mater and into the powerful Southeastern Conference.

The 44-year-old Harsin is 69-19 with three Mountain West titles in seven seasons at Boise State, but winning in the SEC affords greater chances for playoff berths and national titles.

The Auburn job is also sure to bring a major pay raise, though contract details for Harsin weren’t immediately available.

“I’m incredibly excited and humbled for the opportunity to be at a place like Auburn University,” Harsin said in a statement. “I knew it would take a special opportunity to get me out of Boise and Auburn is exactly that, the chance to compete at the highest level for one of the greatest programs in college football.

Auburn fired Gus Malzahn earlier this month after he went 6-4 in his eighth season — a move that cost the school more than $21 million to buy out the former coach’s contract.

Air Force vs. Navy

Next year’s game between the service academy rivals has been moved to Sept. 11 in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the academies announced Tuesday. The game was originally scheduled for Oct. 2.

LSU

Offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive line coach Bill Johnson are retiring from their regular coaching duties but will remain with the program as analysts. Those changes to coach Ed Orgeron’s staff were announced Tuesday, a day after LSU said defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was leaving the program. LSU went 5-5 this season, one season after winning a national title. The defense struggled mightily in some games.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks, who finished 2-8, opted out of the Gasparilla Bowl against UAB due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the program. The game in Tampa, Fla., was scheduled for Saturday.

Big Ten

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields repeated as offensive player of the year on the AP All-Big Ten football team. Lineman Daviyon Nixon of Iowa is the defensive player of the year. Penn State defensive end Shaka Toney was a first-team selection. Nittany Lions offensive lineman Mike Miranda, tight end Pat Freiermuth, defensive end Jason Oweh and safety Lamont Wade of Clairton made the second team.