Just 3 days ago, it appeared new University of South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer had 2 remaining staff vacancies.

    On Thursday, 2 more spots opened up with the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and newly-hired offensive line coach Will Friend. Both left the Gamecocks to join new Auburn University head coach Bryan Harsin’s staff in the same positions.

    “I have a great amount of respect for Coach Harsin, both as a coach and as a person,” Bobo said in a press release. “I competed against him for five years as a head coach and we’ve talked ball on numerous occasions over the years. I know what he’s about and his commitment to excellence. I know that Auburn is a great community with a tremendous passion for and commitment to Auburn football. I’m excited to get started and look forward to helping Coach Harsin compete for championships.”

    Bobo spent this past season at South Carolina, who upset previously-nationally ranked Auburn for 1 of its 2 victories this season. He served as interim head coach the last 3 games of the season following the firing of head coach Will Muschamp and went winless.

    While the 2 have never worked on the same staff together, Harsin and Bobo are familiar with each other from their shared time as head coaches in the Mountain West Conference. The two went head-to-head 5 times between 2015-19, when Harsin was still at Boise State and Bobo was Colorado State’s head coach.

    “I’ve wanted to work with Mike now for quite some time as he compliments the many things we want to do with our offense,” Harsin said. “We are going to be very versatile in what we do and Mike’s offensive background speaks for itself. I’m really excited to combine forces with Mike as we create the Auburn offense, a high-powered, attacking and physical unit that will come at you in many ways.”

    As for Friend, this will be the 3rd SEC program he’s been associated with in the past year. He served as offensive line coach this past season for Tennessee before he was hired by Beamer and approved Monday for a 2-year contract that paid $700,000 annually. 

    Beamer is still searching for a defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach.