Auburn University is set to welcome Alex Golesh, previously the head coach at USF, in an effort to restore its competitive edge within the SEC after five disappointing seasons. The announcement made this Sunday reflects the school’s ambition to return to prominence in college football.

Golesh expressed his enthusiasm in a statement:

“Auburn Football is one of the proudest, most tradition-rich programs in all of college football and my family and I could not be more excited to join the Auburn Family. This will be a player-driven program, and no one will outwork our staff. Auburn has won, can win and will win championships. Let’s get to work.”

The Tigers have not had a winning record since 2020, resulting in a 28-35 overall record and just two bowl appearances — both losses. In stark contrast, Golesh led USF to a successful 2025 season with a 9-3 record that showcased notable victories, including wins over Boise State and Florida.

His hiring signals a new strategy for Auburn, as they look to bolster their offense, which has struggled significantly, finishing at the bottom tier of the SEC offensively for several seasons. Taking from Golesh’s notable success at USF, where his squad ranked among the top teams in scoring with an impressive average of 43.0 points per game, hopes are high for a revitalized offensive game plan moving forward.

Auburn’s recent performance has raised concerns, but Golesh’s impressive track record in recruiting along with his previous experience at Tennessee and UCF, positions him well to establish a new direction for the program.

As the college football coaching carousel continues to turn, Golesh is stepping into a pivotal role, tasked with setting the tone for Auburn’s revival in the SEC. The anticipation surrounding his arrival highlights the urgency for the program to re-establish its competitive stature among rivals, especially amidst rising coaching changes across the conference.