Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin adds familiar face to initial coaching staff
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin is turning to a name he knows very well to lead the Tigers’ strength and conditioning program.
The program announced on Tuesday that Jeff Pitman has been hired to the position, replacing Ryan Russell. Pitman was part of Harsin’s staff during the latter’s stint at Arkansas State and then joined him at Boise State in 2014. The 2 were also on the Boise State staff together from 2001-2006 as Harsin returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant and was eventually named offensive coordinator prior to the 2006 campaign.
“He has been an instrumental part of many championship teams and players he has worked with leave their time with him praising Coach Pitman for developing them as football players and men,” Harsin said in a statement. “We know his approach in the weight room and other performance areas will make our players better all-around, especially as he specializes with our men up front on the offensive and defensive lines.”
Pitman, a former Boise State offensive lineman, walked on to the Broncos program during the late 1980s during its Division 1-AA days and eventually earned a scholarship and a starting role. His other collegiate coaching stops include Minnesota, Montana State, San José State, Colorado and Western Carolina.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
