As Alex Golesh settles into his new role as Auburn’s head coach, one of the most pressing decisions on his desk is whether DJ Durkin will remain part of the Tigers' coaching staff.
Durkin stepped in as interim head coach for the final three games of the season after Hugh Freeze was dismissed, and by all accounts, he was a serious candidate for the permanent job. Auburn ultimately chose to go in a different direction, hiring Golesh away from USF on Sunday. But that doesn’t mean Durkin is out of the picture just yet.
During the coaching search, Auburn athletic director John Cohen floated the idea of retaining Durkin as defensive coordinator to several candidates. That same conversation took place with Golesh, who acknowledged in his introductory press conference on Monday that a decision on Durkin’s future is expected soon. The two met one-on-one Sunday evening, and while Golesh didn’t tip his hand, he made it clear that the process is underway.
“We obviously had a plan going in that we presented, and we're slowly and surely executing the plan,” Golesh said. “I'm working through it.
We've got a plan. We're working through steps to execute the plan.”
What’s clear is that Golesh is bringing key members of his USF staff with him to Auburn - particularly on the offensive side. Associate head coach and receivers coach Kodi Burns, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon, and offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick are all making the move. DeMarcus Van Dyke, who coached cornerbacks at USF, is also joining the Tigers.
Golesh emphasized the urgency of finalizing his staff so he can turn his full attention to Auburn’s roster and recruiting class - two areas that can’t afford to sit idle during a coaching transition.
“My hope is that in the next 24 to 48 hours, that that gets finalized and we have some clarity with which direction we're going,” Golesh said when asked specifically about Durkin. “But we're working through it.”
If Durkin doesn’t return, one logical name to watch is Todd Orlando, who served as Golesh’s defensive coordinator during all three of his seasons at USF. Orlando brings a wealth of experience, including previous stints as DC at Texas and USC.
Durkin, meanwhile, has been Auburn’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He signed an extension last offseason that bumped his salary to $2.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid assistants in the country - fifth overall, in fact.
His 2025 defense finished eighth in the SEC in scoring defense, fifth in yards per play allowed, and seventh in total defense. Solid numbers, especially considering the turbulence Auburn faced down the stretch.
And while the Tigers went just 1-2 under Durkin in his interim stint, the impact he had on the locker room was evident. Players rallied around him, and the energy he brought to the program didn’t go unnoticed.
“The locker room, the team, we love Durk - a great man, great leader,” linebacker Xavier Atkins said after the Iron Bowl. “He brings that energy for the team. We already had confidence, but he instilled that in us every day since he took over the team.”
That kind of endorsement carries weight, especially in a program looking to rebuild both culture and identity. Whether Durkin stays on as defensive coordinator or moves on, his influence on this Auburn team - particularly in the final weeks of the season - is undeniable.
Now, all eyes turn to Golesh and the next 48 hours. Auburn’s coaching picture is starting to come into focus, but one of its most important pieces is still being decided.