Former Boise State football coach Bryan Harsin sidelined at Auburn with COVID-19
Former Boise State football coach Bryan Harsin has tested positive for COVID-19.
Harsin, who is in his first season as the head coach at Auburn, released a statement Friday through the university.
“Yesterday I tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. I am isolating at home while experiencing no symptoms,” the statement reads. “As we have navigated through the pandemic, contingency plans have been in place should a situation like this arise. We prepared for this. Coach Jeff Schmedding will assume in-person head coaching duties and I will continue to participate remotely in meetings and practice.
“Just like in a game, teams that handle adversity and make necessary adjustments are those that are most successful. I have full confidence in our coaching staff and team. I know they will continue to prepare with the same intensity and focus that they have since camp started.”
At SEC Media Days, Harsin declined to comment when asked about his vaccination status.
Auburn opens the season Sept. 4 at home against Akron. Auburn’s COVID-19 protocols require 10 days in isolation following a positive test, according to reporter Nathan King, who covers Auburn football for 247Sports.com. Assuming Harsin remains asymptomatic, he should be cleared in time for the Tigers’ opener.
Schmedding was Boise State’s defensive coordinator and moved with Harsin to Auburn, where he is now listed as an assistant head coach, linebackers coach and defensive run-game coordinator.
In seven seasons as the head coach at Boise State, Harsin was 69-19, with a 49-8 record in Mountain West play. He led the Broncos to four straight conference championship games and three Mountain West titles (2014, 2017 and 2019). Boise State was ranked in the Top 25 at some point in each of Harsin’s seasons.
ISU mandates masks at indoor events
Idaho State University announced Friday that masks will be required, regardless of vaccination status, at all indoor athletic events this fall, including in Holt Arena and Reed Gymnasium.
Face coverings were already required indoors on campus, but the university emphasized that the policy also applies to fans as well as faculty, staff and students.
The mandate will be reviewed every two weeks, according to a news release from the university, and could be removed if the local COVID-19 situation improves.
Boise State and the University of Idaho are also requiring masks indoors on campus this fall. The Vandals play football indoors at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. While BSU’s Albertsons Stadium is outdoors, the university said earlier this month that the mask mandate will be enforced at football games because of the crowded setting.
This story was originally published August 20, 2021 at 4:12 PM.
