The coaching carousel never stops spinning, and for Auburn fans, the ride just got started with the hiring of Alex Golesh. But the BIG question on everyone's mind is: Can he assemble a staff that can truly compete in the SEC? It's a make-or-break situation, and Golesh isn't wasting any time. He's hitting the ground running to build his inaugural coaching staff on the Plains.
Fresh off his hiring, Golesh faces a monumental to-do list. Beyond connecting with current players and navigating the crucial early signing day, Golesh understands the power of a strong support system. He believes that a cohesive team of assistant coaches will significantly enhance his ability to tackle these initial challenges. That's why, within hours of his appointment, he brought Kodi Burns – an Auburn alum and former wide receivers coach – to campus. Burns, now the associate head coach and receivers coach, joined Golesh for his first team meeting and immediately began engaging with recruits. Golesh further solidified his staff by finalizing the hiring of at least three more assistant coaches from USF that same day, signaling a clear intention to bring his proven system to Auburn.
And in a move that sent shockwaves through the Auburn fanbase, Golesh made a huge announcement: defensive coordinator DJ Durkin would be retained. But here's where it gets controversial... some fans questioned if Durkin's past controversies should have been a factor. What do you think?
"I told the guys yesterday that change is inevitable," Golesh stated during his introductory press conference. "What they choose to do with the change is their choice. And identifying who wants to be here, making sure it matches who and what this program is truly going to be about — and by that I mean what the standards of this program are — and then being able to bring your staff in as quickly as you can. Not too fast; you want to make sure you get the right people. But bringing in your staff as fast as you can and immersing the players with your staff."
To keep Auburn fans in the loop on this rapidly evolving situation, we will be providing continuous updates on Golesh's coaching staff. All names listed below have been either reported or confirmed.
Latest Update (Dec. 2): Golesh retains Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. This is a HUGE move for continuity on the defensive side.
Confirmed Coaching Staff:
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QB COACH: JOEL GORDON
Gordon's connection with Golesh stretches back to their days as assistants at Iowa State. At USF, Gordon served as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and primary play-caller for all three seasons under Golesh. In his introductory press conference, Golesh made it clear that he expects a high-powered offense at Auburn, suggesting that the offensive philosophy that thrived at USF will be implemented on the Plains. And this is the part most people miss... Golesh emphasizes a collaborative approach to play-calling, involving multiple coaches in the decision-making process.
"It's going to continue to be what it has been here the last couple of years at the University of South Florida — an offensive staff that's going to be absolutely elite," Golesh said. "The large chunk of which is coming with, and those guys will absolutely crush it offensively. They will call the plays, and everybody else in that room will have a ton of input, and I'll be honest with you, even going back to the Tennessee time, it's always been a collaborative effort. Offensive line coach is crazy involved, Quarterback coach is crazy involved. We got young coaches that are crazy involved. And when you get into a game, there's so much conversation in between drives. It's as truly a collaborative effort as you can ever imagine."
Relevant Experience: USF OC/QBs, Iowa State QBs
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LB COACH: DJ DURKIN
The decision that had everyone on the edge of their seats! It was confirmed that Durkin would be staying on as the Tigers' defensive coordinator. Following his stint as the program's interim head coach, Durkin and Golesh engaged in multiple discussions. Golesh's intention was always to keep Durkin on staff. After reaching an agreement, Auburn secures crucial continuity on the defensive side of the ball heading into the 2026 season. Durkin's unit ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total defense this past season and among the top 30 nationally in scoring. In addition to building out his defensive staff, Durkin will now focus on retaining as many talented players as possible for the upcoming year. But the question remains: Can Durkin replicate his success with the new staff and players around him?
Relevant Experience: Maryland head coach, Auburn DC, Texas A&M DC, Ole Miss DC, Michigan DC, Florida DC
WR COACH: KODI BURNS
A true homecoming for Burns! Golesh confirmed that Burns will serve as Auburn's new associate head coach, overseeing his former position as wide receivers coach. Burns, a member of Auburn's 2010 national championship team, also coached at his alma mater under Gus Malzahn. After spending time at Tennessee and USF with Golesh, he became Golesh's closest confidant and right-hand man on staff. Burns inherits a talented Auburn receiving corps, but the question remains: who will stay, and who will go? What happens with players like Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, and Eric Singleton Jr. will be a key storyline to follow. Former receivers coach Marcus Davis is also being considered by Golesh for another position on staff.
Relevant Experience: USF WRs, New Orleans Saints WRs, Tennessee WRs, Auburn WRs, Middle Tennessee WRs
OL COACH: TYLER HUDANICK
Hudanick, affectionately known as "Coach Hoodie" by his players, was a graduate assistant at UCF when Golesh was an assistant there under Josh Heupel in 2020. He later held an off-the-field role at Tennessee. He served as Golesh's offensive line coach at USF for all three of his seasons with the Bulls.
Relevant Experience: USF OL, Tennessee GA, UCF GA
CB COACH: DEMARCUS VAN DYKE
A third-round draft pick out of Miami in 2011, Van Dyke worked at his alma mater as a graduate assistant, analyst, and cornerbacks coach for one season before FIU hired him as its cornerbacks coach in 2023. He then spent two years under Golesh with the Bulls. Van Dyke is considered a rising star recruiter in Florida, making him a valuable addition to Auburn's staff.
Relevant Experience: USF CB, FIU CB, Miami CB
STRENGTH COACH: GEORGE COURIDES
Like Gordon, Courides' experience with Golesh dates back to their time on Matt Campbell's staff at Iowa State. He also worked for Golesh for all three years at USF. Courides was an assistant strength coach with the Cyclones before Golesh gave him the full-time job with the Bulls.
Relevant Experience: USF head strength coach, Iowa State assistant strength coach, New York Jets assistant strength coach
Unfilled Assistant Spots:
- TE coach
- RB coach
- DL coach
- EDGE/OLB coach
- DB coach
- ST coordinator
Analysts/Other Coaches:
- Parker Ball (OL)
- Parker Carmichael (WR)
- Larry Scott (OLB/DL)
- Brad Wilson (LB)
Personnel Staffers:
- Andrew Warsaw (USF chief of staff)
- Alex Fagan (USF director of scouting)
- Harding Harper (USF director of recruiting)
- Ephi Levy (USF director of player personnel)
- Jeff Jones (USF director of player development)
So, what do you think of Golesh's staff so far? Are there any hires you particularly like or dislike? What positions should he prioritize filling next? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!
