Auburn Staff Update: Alex Golesh Retains DJ Durkin as Defensive Coordinator

Stability meets innovation on the Plains. Auburn's new head coach Alex Golesh has officially begun assembling his on-field staff, and the headline move is one of continuity: DJ Durkin will remain as the Defensive Coordinator.

Durkin, who served as the interim head coach for the final two games of the 2025 season following Hugh Freeze's dismissal, impressed the administration and Golesh with his handling of the program during a tumultuous November. His defense was a bright spot in a 5-7 season, ranking in the top 20 nationally.

A Blend of New and Old

This move signals Golesh's pragmatic approach. While he is bringing in his own offensive mind — expected to be Joel Gordon as Offensive Coordinator — retaining Durkin allows the defense to maintain its terminology and scheme. This is crucial for a roster that was playing well on that side of the ball.

"DJ is one of the premier defensive minds in college football," Golesh said in a statement. "What he did with this unit under difficult circumstances spoke volumes. We want to build a championship culture, and that starts with a championship defense."

Recruiting Impact

Keeping Durkin also helps stabilize the defensive recruiting class. Several key commitments had indicated they were waiting to see who the defensive coordinator would be. With Durkin staying, Auburn has a much better chance of holding onto its top defensive prospects ahead of the Early Signing Period.