A new era on the Plains: Everything you need to know about Alex Golesh, Auburn's 33rd head coach

Ever since Gus Malzahn left the Plains in 2020, Auburn’s football program has been looking for a long-term answer at head coach, and today marked the start of Alex Golesh’s chance to be that solution for the Tigers.

Golesh, 41, heads to the Plains after coaching at the University of South Florida for the past three seasons. During his time in Tampa, Florida, he lifted the Bulls’ program from the ashes, making them relevant in college football for the first time since 2017, when they finished 10-2 under Charlie Strong. He took over after a stretch in which USF was one of the worst teams in the FBS, winning just four games over three seasons. Under Golesh, the Bulls reached a bowl game in three straight years and won 23 games, completing one of the most impressive program turnarounds in recent memory.

After four weeks of a wide search, athletic director John Cohen inked Golesh as the 33rd head coach in Auburn football history at around 1:00 a.m. Sunday, following the team’s sixth straight Iron Bowl loss. Despite rumors connecting Auburn to other coaches, such as new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall, Cohen believes he hired the perfect man for the job.

“His resume and life experience lines up perfectly with the Auburn Creed,” Cohen said. “He has a spirit that’s not afraid. He’s not afraid to compete at the highest level of college football and not afraid of expectation… Alex Golesh believes in work, hard work. The past 20 years he’s climbed the ladder from student assistant to GA to assistant coach to coordinator to head coach.”

Under former head coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers’ offense was in constant turmoil, with Auburn benching its opening day starter for at least one game in each of his final two seasons on the Plains.

Golesh is expected to provide stability to the offensive side of the ball, as he is known for his fast, electric offenses and for developing quarterbacks to play at the next level. In 2022, as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator, he led the Volunteers to the nation’s top-ranked offense, averaging 46.1 points per game. Under his tutelage, Brock Purdy, Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III were all drafted into the NFL.

“We’re going to be explosive on offense and we’re going to play really fast,” Golesh said. 

This season, the Bulls were a high-flying offense, averaging 43 points per game. USF was led by quarterback Byrum Brown, who thrived in Golesh’s system. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native combined for 4,166 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2025. Rumors are beginning to swirl, as Brown — a redshirt junior with one season of eligibility remaining — has the option to follow his coach to Auburn if he chooses.

“Four years ago his offense at Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the country,” Cohen said. “His quarterback this season (at USF) threw for 3000 yards and rushed for 1000. Put that in perspective for all of you, that’s been done 12 times in the history of college football.”

One of the biggest questions the Auburn family has right now is whether former interim head coach D.J. Durkin will return as defensive coordinator in 2026. Durkin’s defense in 2025 ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 20.6 points per game. When asked if Durkin would be retained, Golesh was noncommittal.

“I’m working through it,” Golesh said. “We have a plan and we’re working through steps to execute the plan. My hope is the next 24-48 hours that gets finalized.”

It’s time for Golesh and company to get to work as the signing period begins in less than 48 hours and the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.

“We’re in a race against ourselves to give this elite fanbase, to take these elite resources, and give what these Auburn fans deserve,” Golesh said. “We’re in a race against ourselves to do it as fast as we can.”