New Auburn head coach Alex Golesh will keep defensive coordinator DJ Durkin on the coaching staff, according to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. Durkin joined Auburn in 2024 when hired by Hugh Freeze to help revive a struggling defense.

Under his leadership, the Tigers achieved their best rushing defense since 2010, allowing just 117.8 yards per game, and also improved their overall defense, ranking as their best since 2017. After Auburn dismissed Hugh Freeze, Durkin stepped in as interim coach, leading the team to a 1-2 record and a close call against Alabama in the finale.

Auburn recently hired Golesh from USF in an effort to return to competitiveness in the SEC after five successive losing seasons. Golesh remarked, “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 seen a winning season since Gus Malzahn’s last year in 2020, achieving a disappointing 28-35 record since then, including two bowl appearance defeats.