SEC fans, media react to Auburn poaching Mike Bobo and Will Friend from South Carolina’s staff

As Auburn begins to assemble its coaching staff under new coach Bryan Harsin, it’s beginning to have a lot of SEC flavor, especially with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who would be on his third team in the conference.

Presumed defensive coordinator Derek Mason and offensive line coach Will Friend are also SEC veterans as Friend is now technically at his fourth school in the league, though he didn’t officially coach at South Carolina when he moved there in recent weeks from Tennessee. Friend previously was at Georgia before he went with Bobo to Colorado State.

The Bobo element is an especially interesting move largely because his offense is more traditional — or throw back — than the modern offenses of today that rarely, if ever, use a fullback, for example. Though he was credited at South Carolina with developing a creative offense, and Kevin Harris in 2020 became South Carolina’s first 1,000 rusher since 2013, he largely stands alone compared to other offensive coordinators around the league.

But as one fan noted the “cross-pollination” of Georgia and Auburn is one of the reasons the rivalry is so great.

Here is a sampling of the reaction:

Homerun DC hire in Mason.

Groundout to to 2nd OC hire in Bobo.

Just Auburn things. https://t.co/Du8mx4hcrz

— Carson Hagood (@chagood54) January 7, 2021

I actually really like both of these hires despite most Auburns fans not wanting BOBO. Come on people BOBO coaching Bo where to throw is the content I’m here for lol https://t.co/qG6ABbg6zQ

— FQ Auburn (@FQAuburnS) January 7, 2021

So, we have a QB named Bo and an OC named Bobo…
Also worth noting, my (likewise Auburn-crazed) mom got a new dog a few months ago and was going to name him “Bo”, but was afraid that was too close to “No”, and it would confuse him, so she calls him “Bobo”.

— Adam Epling (@epzilla) January 7, 2021

The cross-pollination between Georgia and Auburn is what makes the rivalry so great, but I’m sorry to see it end this way for my fandom of Mike Bobo. https://t.co/WyP2nqnxLn

— 🎄🎅jingle reubs🎅🎄 (@luckie_reubs) January 7, 2021

A little football question: Is Mike Bobo going to Auburn?

Congratulations to UGA and Alabama on the next 4 years of beating Auburn.

— The Frugal Banker (@TheFrugalBanker) January 7, 2021

Auburn hiring Bobo to help Georgia recruiting?

— Billy Gomila (@BillyGomila) January 7, 2021

Do you think for a second…Bama, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M or Florida are even slightly afraid of Mason/Bobo hire?…there is no splash here…I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see anything that is impressing me, and I don’t see Auburn any better than 6-6 or 5-7 next year

— AUtitude (@AUtitude) January 7, 2021

Anyway, congrats to Coach Bobo on the job at Auburn. Slowing the pace of play just like Georgia did from 2012 to 2015 is probably exactly the direction they need to go in at this moment.

— Dawg Sports (@dawgsports) January 7, 2021

Not surprised Bobo and Friend are going somewhere together. A bit surprised they’re bolting South Carolina so quickly after getting contracts there. But they both have been around the league long enough to know the talent Auburn can reel in. https://t.co/bj40LpK75G

— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) January 7, 2021

What has happened today is exactly the reason I said you needed to gut the program after Champ was fired.

They all wreak of the Muschamp school of thinking.

Secure the bag at all costs.

— The Spurs Up Show (@TheSpursUpShow) January 7, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.