Paul Finebaum made it clear the direction he thinks Auburn’s new athletic director John Cohen needs to take with the new hire.

“Two weeks late but the correct move,” Finebaum said to AL.com’s Mark Heim after the news broke that Harsin was let go. “Harsin had no support left, and it seemed the school was clearing the decks for the new athletic director.”

Harsin ended his Auburn career with an abysmal 9-12 record. He had numerous issues during his time with the Tigers.

Finebaum gave a couple of names that could possibly turn things around for arguably the hardest job in college football.

“But I think the hunt for the new coach really involves two people,” Finebaum said. “Lane Kiffin and Hugh Freeze.”

Lane Kiffin is currently the head coach at Ole Miss and had an incredibly successful 2021 season. For the first time in program history, Kiffin won 10 games in the regular season and made it to a New Year Six bowl. Kiffin brought in tons of talent via the transfer porter in the off season with players like former 5-star RB Zach Evans. Ole Miss is currently 8-1 on the season and looks to be the second-best team in the SEC West.

Hugh Freeze has had his ups and downs off the field but he’s been outstanding at his current job with Liberty University. Freeze was at Ole Miss before his current job. At Liberty, Freeze has had an average of 8.5 wins a season and earned himself an extension on his contract until 2030.

Finebaum praised the hire of the new athletic director and knows that people inside the program will respect his decision.