Charlie Harbison 'still part of the team' as interim DC

TAMPA – His own future in question, Charlie Harbison is focused on the task at hand.

The Auburn safeties coach is serving as interim defensive coordinator for the Outback Bowl following the firing of Ellis Johnson.

Harbison, who is under contract for $475,000 annually through June 2017, said he has not spoken with new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp about whether he'll continue on the yet to be determined defensive staff.

"At this point, I'm still part of the team, just getting these guys ready for the bowl game, trying to be the best we can be," Harbison said. "I've been in this business for a while, (uncertainty is) just part of it. I let my work speak for itself and continue to go forward, continue to get these guys ready to play."

Prior to leaving for Tampa, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said he hadn't spoken with Muschamp about staff changes.

"We have not talked about it," Malzahn said. "We're just trying to give these guys the best plan to win the bowl game. We'll talk about that at a later date."

Harbison, 56, has experience as a defensive coordinator while at Mississippi State in 2007-08.

How Auburn's defense, which allowed an average of 39 points in its last six SEC games, performs against Wisconsin could serve as a potential audition for Harbison not only with Muschamp, but if he does have to look elsewhere.

"I look at it like this: Your work will make room for you," Harbison said. "I'm just getting our kids ready to play, ready to play fast, get off the field and get the ball back to the offense. … What you put on tape, that's your resume.

"We've got to move forward and win this game. That's the most important for me and our staff. We want the best for each one of our players, but the bottom line is we've got to win this game and put your resume on tape."

Harbison does like the vigor Muschamp's brings to the job.

"I think he fits in great," Harbison said. "Worked with him before and he's got a lot of energy, he's just watching what we've got on the field and seeing how the pieces of the puzzle fit together."

The defense is keeping things "simple" and sticking to Johnson's 4-2-5 scheme. The emphasis will be on stopping the run against Wisconsin and Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon.

"The bottom line is we're doing what we've been doing," Harbison said. "We're just getting guys in position to make plays, and getting fast, and making tackles, making plays, doing our assignments, sound assignments."

With nine practices complete, Harbison likes how the players have responded to him as coordinator.

"They have responded well. The bottom line is when you get news you've got to take the next step," Harbison said. "The bottom line is in this business, change happens. What we do is get our guys and say 'next step'. What's going to happen is going to happen so just move forward. These guys are getting prepared and winning this game, that's the key."