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Bryan Harsin is in search of another defensive assistant after a report from Dan Graziano of ESPN, who reported that the Denver Broncos would hire Bert Watts.
“I’m told the Broncos will hire Bert Watts to be their OLBs coach. Watts is currently the Associate head coach/special teams/OLBs coach at Auburn following a couple of stints as a college defensive coordinator.”
This reported move came after Watts was given the additional title of associate head coach at Auburn last month. This is the fourth assistant to leave Auburn this offseason, joining defensive line coach Nick Eason, defensive coordinator Derek Mason and offensive coordinator Austin Davis, along with Mike Bobo, who was fired.
Before Auburn, Watts spent the past season at Memphis as linebackers coach after 3 seasons at Fresno State, including 2 as defensive coordinator.
In addition to special teams duties, where punter Oscar Chapman led the SEC in net punting Watts oversaw Auburn’s edge rusher position. Pass-rusher Derick Hall was third in the SEC in sacks at the conclusion of the regular season.
Harsin’s connection to Watts came from their Mountain West Conference days when Watts in 3 seasons at Fresno State (2017-19), Watts’ defense ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories. In 2018, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 record and were Mountain West Champions.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
