Auburn’s search for an offensive coordinator came to an official conclusion with Saturday’s press release announcing Austin Davis getting hired.
“I’m honored and privileged to be the next Offensive Coordinator at Auburn University and to be a part of an elite staff led by Coach Harsin,” Davis said via press release. “Being born and raised in Mississippi, you know very well what SEC football is all about, and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity that is before me. I’ve been very fortunate to work for one of the best organizations in all of sports and would like to extend a special thanks to (Seahawks head coach) Pete Carroll and (Seahawks GM) John Schneider for believing in me as a young coach.”
Davis completed 236 of 378 passes for 2,548 yards, with 13 touchdowns during his seven-year NFL stint. He started eight games for the St. Louis Rams during the 2014 season, where he threw for 12 touchdowns while completing 64.3 percent of his passes.
Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin was drawn to the combination of recent playing and coaching experience from the former two-time All-Conference USA quarterback at Southern Miss.
“From the first conversation I had with Austin, you could just feel his passion for coaching and teaching the game,” Harsin said. “He’s spent the past 10 years as a player or coach in the NFL, bringing that experience from the highest level into our offensive and quarterback rooms. He’s learned and been around some of the best in the business and has been on an upward trajectory since joining the coaching ranks. We can’t wait to get him teamed up with the rest of our staff.”
Davis comes to the Plains from the Seattle Seahawks. He served as an assistant coach for the last three seasons with the Seahawks. He’s worked closely with the all-pro quarterback and famed pop-star Ciara’s husband, Russell Wilson. Seattle is eighth in the NFL in completion percentage (67.0), fifth in yards per completion (11.7), and tied for the league lead in fewest interceptions.
Wilson threw for 4,110 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing 66.1 percent of his passes during the 2019 season, Davis’ first with the Seahawks. Wilson has high praise for Davis.
“I think Austin is going to be a brilliant offensive coordinator and potential head coach one day. He has a passion for the game, number one,” Wilson said via a release. “Number two, he’s got an understanding of the game as he’s played the position at the highest level in the National Football League. And three, he’s an amazing teacher. He’s an amazing teacher of the game. He keeps it simple in terms of relaxing the quarterback’s mind. He’ll be an amazing coach at Auburn.”
Carrol hired Davis after the former Southern Miss quarterback played seven seasons in the NFL for St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, and Tennessee. Davis went into coaching in February 2019 as an offensive assistant with the Seahawks before being promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2020.
“Austin is going to show that he is one of the bright young minds in the game. He’s been able to transition from player to coach, unlike anybody I’ve ever seen,” Carrol said via press release. It was just so smooth for him, and he’s been thinking like a coach for a long time, obviously because he was able to capture the role. Russ thinks the world of him, Shane (Seahawks offensive coordinator Waldron) thinks the world of him, and I do too because he is really, really good at what he does. He is going to really be a big benefit to their program.”
Davis will be tasked with helping Auburn transition from Bo Nix as starting quarterback. He’s replacing Mike Bobo, who spent one season as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator.
Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.
