Alex Golesh didn’t waste his first SEC Media Days as Auburn’s head coach. He walked into Tampa and delivered the kind of message that makes a program sound like it has a plan again: no flash, no empty noise, just standards.
That was the big takeaway from Auburn’s roundtable discussion after the Tigers wrapped their time at SEC Media Days and moved a step closer to fall camp. With opening kickoff set for September 5th against the Baylor Bears, Golesh now has one more box checked before the season starts.
For Zac Blackerby, Golesh’s approach hit the right note immediately. He said Golesh “did everything he needed to do,” adding that the coach avoided dramatic statements and presented Auburn as a program where seriousness matters again. Blackerby called it “a nice change.”
Christian Rauh came away just as impressed, saying he liked how Golesh handled the week in Tampa after being “more humble this past spring in Destin.” Rauh said Golesh was “nothing but business” and praised the emphasis on identity while steering clear of anything that could be used as bulletin board material. For him, that was exactly the tone Auburn needed.
The player who drew the most attention was Byrum Brown. Blackerby said Brown “took over every stage he was on,” while also noting that Champ and Alex McPherson stood out. Rauh agreed Brown was “infectious,” but he singled out McPherson for the way he handled questions about what he has overcome, calling him “a class act.”
One of the most interesting moments from the week, according to Blackerby, came when Golesh said he doesn’t set goals, he sets standards. Blackerby said that kind of line signals Auburn will be paying attention to the details again.
Rauh pointed to Golesh’s comments about Brown as the other major headline. He said Golesh made it clear he believes Brown is one of the best quarterbacks in college football, calling it high praise and a message that should get the rest of the conference’s attention.
Auburn left Tampa with its new coach making the kind of first impression the program wanted: measured, direct and focused on how he wants the Tigers to operate.
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Austins point was less about personality than trajectory, and that is where the Auburn intrigue really starts. He suggested Golesh would bring a more organized, steadier path for growth than what the Tigers have had, which is the sort of endorsement that tends to stick when a fan base is looking for signs that the next move could be a real step forward. [Read more 🡒]