If there’s one thing that’s becoming crystal clear about Alex Golesh’s first year at Auburn, it’s this: the Tigers are going to run the football-and they’re going to do it with purpose. Golesh, along with offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, is bringing a ground-first mentality that mirrors what they executed at USF. And as Auburn gears up for spring practices, that identity is already taking shape.
“We’re gonna run the heck out of the ball,” Golesh said, pulling no punches. “We’ve done it for as long as I’ve been a head coach and coordinator. That’s where it all starts offensively for us.”
This isn’t just coach-speak-it’s a philosophy. For Golesh and Gordon, everything flows from the ground game. It’s about more than just pounding the rock; it’s about building an offense that thrives on physicality, tempo, and depth at one of the most demanding positions in football.
Golesh emphasized how critical experience is in the backfield-not just for carrying the ball, but for the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. “The pass protection part is such a huge part of playing running back,” he said. “You’re a huge part of protecting the entire franchise every single time you protect in football.”
That’s why Auburn didn’t just look for bodies-they looked for backs with different skill sets and backgrounds. Three transfers from three different programs, each bringing a unique style, were brought in to complement what the Tigers already had.
Golesh wanted size. He wanted speed.
And, more than anything, he wanted versatility.
The Tigers return Jeremiah Cobb, who flashed serious potential last season, and they’ve added a pair of talented freshmen in Omar Mabson and Alvin Henderson. But the real reinforcements came through the portal. Bryson Washington (Baylor), Tae Meadows (Troy), and Nyahki Davenport (USF) headline a revamped running back room that suddenly looks deep, diverse, and dangerous.
For Gordon, it all starts with Cobb.
“He was here. He has played here.
He was really productive a year ago,” Gordon said. “Behind him, there’s not a ton of experience and proven production.
You’ve got to have depth at that position regardless of what offense you play.”
And with the up-tempo style Auburn plans to run, having a stable of backs who can rotate in and stay fresh is essential. The wear and tear on running backs over a full SEC season is no joke, and the Tigers are building a room that can withstand it.
“That’s where our offense starts-running the rock and being physical,” Gordon added. “Those guys are inherently going to get banged up and nicked up as the year goes on, so you need guys that are ready to go in there and play.”
Spring practice will bring the first real look at how this group comes together. Some of the newcomers are still working their way back to full health after the 2025 season, but the coaching staff is eager to see how they adapt to a new system-and how quickly they can get up to speed.
“This offense is a lot different than what most of them are coming from,” Gordon said. “Got to get these guys healthy, get them comfortable, get them ready to go.”
That’s the mission between now and fall camp: install the system, build chemistry, and find out which backs are ready to shoulder the load. Because for Golesh and Gordon, there’s no mystery about what Auburn football will look like in 2026.
It starts with the run. It ends with the run. And everything else builds from there.