Bryan Harsin is back in college football.
Cal announced Tuesday that the former Auburn and Boise State coach would be its new offensive coordinator. Harsin, 48, has spent the last two seasons out of college football since he was fired by Auburn with four games to go in the 2022 regular season.
Harsin’s hire comes a week after Cal announced it would have a new offensive coordinator in 2025. Mike Bloesch was the team’s offensive coordinator during the 2024 season and is still listed as the team’s coordinator on the Bears’ website.
“Coach Harsin is one of the best offensive minds in football and we are excited to welcome him to Cal,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said in a statement. “I have spent several years of my coaching career on the same staff and in the same room with Coach Harsin. He is a proven winner whose record speaks for itself and he will make an immediate impact on our offense and in recruiting.”
Harsin lasted less than two seasons at Auburn after arriving from Boise State. The Tigers were 9-12 overall and went 6-7 during his first season. That season was capped off with a loss in the Birmingham Bowl.
Boise State had a record of 69-19 from 2014 through 2020 during Harsin’s tenure. He came to Boise State after a year as Arkansas State’s head coach. Harsin, who was Boise State’s offensive coordinator from 2006-2010, came back to the Broncos to succeed Chris Petersen.
Cal scored at least 30 points in five games this season on the way to a 6-6 record but was just 81st in the country with 26 points per game. QB Fernando Mendoza threw for over 3,000 yards in 11 games and completed 69% of his passes. He missed the final game of the regular season due to illness and the Bears scored just six points in a 32-point loss to SMU.
