Auburn University acknowledged on Monday that the school is making expanded inquiries into the tenure of football coach Bryan Harsin.
In a statement that doesn't mention Harsin by name, the university said it is "collecting information from a variety of perspectives, including our student-athletes."
This extends the awkward limbo of Harsin's future at Auburn, three days after the outgoing school president, Jay Gogue, acknowledged the school was preparing to make the "appropriate decision" on Harsin's future.
Since then, both sides in this most unusual face-off appear to be digging in. Auburn's inquiries have included questions as to why 20 players and five coaches have left the program after Harsin went 6-7 in his first season.