The Golesh Era Begins
Auburn University has officially named Alex Golesh as its next head football coach. The former South Florida (USF) head coach and Tennessee offensive coordinator brings his high-powered offensive system to the Plains, signing a six-year contract reportedly worth $44.3 million.
A New Direction for Auburn Football
Following the dismissal of Hugh Freeze and a 5-7 season, Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen moved quickly to secure Golesh, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in college football. Golesh's hiring signals a commitment to modernizing Auburn's offense and rebuilding the program's competitive edge in the SEC.
Contract Details
- Term: 6 Years (through 2031)
- Total Value: ~$44.3 Million
- Average Annual Value: ~$7.4 Million
- Incentives: Performance-based bonuses for SEC/CFP success
Key Decision: DJ Durkin Retained
In his first major move as head coach, Golesh announced on Tuesday (Dec 2) that he is retaining DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator. This decision has been met with widespread approval from the Auburn fanbase and players.
Durkin, who served as interim head coach for the final two games of the 2025 season, orchestrated a defensive turnaround that saw Auburn finish 5th in the SEC in yards per play allowed. Golesh cited his long-standing relationship with Durkin—dating back over 20 years—and Durkin's proven track record as key factors in the decision.
Why This Matters
Retaining Durkin provides crucial continuity for a defense that was the team's strength in 2025. It allows Golesh to focus on rebuilding the offense while trusting the defense to a proven commodity.
Golesh's Resume
- • Head Coach, USF (2023-2025): Led a remarkable turnaround, taking a program that had won 4 games in 3 years to back-to-back bowl appearances.
- • Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee (2021-2022): Architect of the nation's #1 offense in 2022, helping the Vols to an 11-2 record and Orange Bowl victory.
- • Recruiting: Known as an elite recruiter with strong ties to Florida and the Southeast.
What's Next?
Golesh is already working to assemble the rest of his coaching staff. Reports indicate he is bringing associate head coach and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns—a beloved former Auburn player—with him from USF.
With the Early Signing Period approaching, Golesh's immediate focus will be on stabilizing the 2026 recruiting class and evaluating the transfer portal to address roster needs, particularly at quarterback.