It didn’t take Bryan Harsin long to decide he wanted the head-coaching job at his alma mater.
The former Arkansas State football coach was formally introduced as the new Boise State coach during an on-campus news conference Friday afternoon, his first public comments since former Boise State Coach Chris Petersen was named the head coach at Washington on Dec. 6, setting into motion Harsin’s return to the school located in his hometown.
A year and a day after he was introduced as ASU’s coach, Harsin donned a black suit and blue tie while speaking about the challenge of keeping Boise State on the same path his predecessor and former boss set it on.
Harsin was asked how long it took him to start thinking about the opening after Petersen left for Washington.
“A millisecond,” Harsin said. “Probably the biggest thing, I didn’t stop thinking about it right after it happened.”
Harsin interviewed for the job Monday, his hiring was announced Wednesday, and the process was finished up by Friday. Harsin will make $6.5 million over five years, and Boise State will pay the $1.75 million buyout per his contract with ASU.
He did not reveal during the news conference his intentions for his Boise State staff, nor what coaches would stay at ASU for the Red Wolves’ game against Ball State on Jan. 5 at the Go-Daddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Three of Harsin’s ASU assistants, two strength and conditioning coaches and two graduate assistants have ties to Boise State.
Harsin didn’t have his ASU staff complete until February.
“I think we have a lot of people that have a lot of desire to be here that are fantastic coaches,” Harsin said.“That takes a little bit of time. One thing I do know with past staffs, when it’s right, it works out pretty good.”
Harsin also made a point to thank his former bosses and players Friday.
“It was one of the hardest things I had to do to walk into that room and tell them I was taking another job,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I had a chance to see them face to face, shake their hands and thank every single one of them for the impact they had on my life.”
The work for his replacement has already begun.
ASU Athletic Director Terry Mohajir said Thursday during a news conference that conversations had already begun but no interviews had been scheduled. The only candidate he named was defensive coordinator John Thompson, who will serve as interim coach for the GoDaddy Bowl.
Mohajir said he has 15 things he looks for in a head coach, including what positions they have coached,who they have coached for, head-coaching experience and previous recruiting areas.
Last year’s search that found Harsin took eight days.
“We are going to find a new head coach,” Mohajir said. “We are moving forward. Our goals have not changed. We plan on playing in a BCS bowl game. The only variable is time.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/14/2013