Will Muschamp has decided not to retain safeties coach Charlie Harbison on next year’s staff, the third defensive assistant fire at Auburn this month, but the personnel move isn’t expected to affect the incoming recruiting haul just yet.

Monday’s news surprised four-star linebacker commit Richard McBryde who has spoken to Harbison regularly over the last few months since committing to the Tigers in July. He reaffirmed his commitment to 247Sports’ Justin Hokanson on Monday and appears to be one of four linebackers who remain solid with the Tigers.

“He’s a great coach and a great guy,” McBryde said according to 247Sports. “I respect him, he would call and check on me. He talked to me the most, so I’m surprised I guess. I’m cool with Muschamp and I’m going to stick with Auburn. Auburn’s a great school and I’m a great fit there.”

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Part of draw for McBryde was staying close to home since Auburn is just 90 minutes from Charles Henderson High in Troy, Ala. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder spent last week in Orlando, Fla. at the Under Armour All-America Game with several other Auburn commits.

McBryde has official visits scheduled for this month at Auburn on Jan. 16, LSU the following weekend and Florida on Jan. 30. The Tigers hope they can secure him after the dead period’s over so he can avoid trips to Baton Rouge and Gainesville.

Gus Malzahn, Muschamp and the Tigers are in dire need of linebackers next fall after standouts Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy are each expected to leave early for the NFL Draft.