Auburn’s first bye week under Alex Golesh has put the spotlight squarely on athletics director John Cohen, and the fan response is mixed at best.
The Tigers are 3-2 after losses to Tennessee and Florida. That’s not a disaster, but it also isn’t the kind of start that has the Auburn crowd buzzing. With Golesh just getting underway, Cohen has become the more visible target for scrutiny, especially since he’s now in his fourth year on the job and already onto his second football coach.
Football has always been the biggest measuring stick for a power-conference athletic director, and Cohen’s first swing at the job, Hugh Freeze, didn’t last through a third season. Golesh’s hire is still too fresh to judge, but the pressure around Cohen isn’t limited to the football field.
Since taking over, he has overseen hires across a wide swath of Auburn athletics: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball, soccer, gymnastics, equestrian, women’s tennis and track and field. His tenure has also come with a heavy push on facility upgrades, led by the ongoing Jordan-Hare North project, along with an emphasis on finding new revenue streams for the athletic department and football program.
That revenue-first approach has not sat well with every fan. One of the most debated decisions was moving Auburn’s season opener against Baylor to Atlanta, a move that was tied to more third-party NIL opportunities for players. Cohen’s administration has also brought non-Auburn events to campus, including concerts like the Zach Bryan show scheduled for this weekend and the first international soccer friendly between Argentina and Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in June.
Earlier this week, AL.com asked Auburn fans on Facebook to grade Cohen’s work as athletic director, and the answers painted a split picture.
Perry Cook wrote, “Women’s tennis, national championship game. Men’s golf, national champions, championship in NIT, Championship in men’s, wheel chair basketball national champions, baseball playoffs, equestrian playoffs, men’s track playoffs.
Am I missing a sport? Keep our AD.”
Thaddaeus Merchant offered, “C+ because the success of other sports and bad hires from a football standpoint. It would be an A- if Golesh works out (National champion)”
Barry Wright pointed to the Baylor decision, writing, “We’ve had a good run in most sports except football. I believe his biggest mistake thus far was moving the Baylor game to Atlanta.
That decision was met with great opposition from the Auburn Business community as well as fans. The lack of a sold out venue was proof of that.
I understand his reasoning about NIL money for the players, however, I hope the lesson learned is that Auburn fans and business community have a stake in his decision making too!”
Michael Freeman was far less forgiving: “His revenue first approach is driving a wedge through the heart of the Auburn family.”
Henry McMahan kept it measured, saying, “I will give him a B-. I have observed him at MSU and AU. He is solid but not exceptional.”
Brandon L. Wolfe gave Cohen high marks, writing, “I would give him an A for the fundraising, facility upgrades, and his ability to keep our sports ecosystem viable outside of basketball and football.
Those two men’s national golf titles are pretty cool. This is coming from someone who was mad about Jay Jacobs departure.”
Gerald Arrington took the opposite view: “Time for a change. Too many opportunities to improve football and blew it.
Is it okay for us to be in the bottom of the SEC in football. If it is, then you may vote to keep him.
Personally, I would like to be back at the top. Let him go!!”
Mike Knight also criticized the Baylor move, saying, “Don’t forget he moved the AU and Baylor game to Atlanta. A lot of season ticket holders did not buy in.
Lost revenue for Auburn and surrounding areas. My grade would be a C-”
Wanda Streetman McCaghren wrote, “He has done several good decisions and the only complaint I have is taking football and basketball games to other states. Cost the tax base ( schools, roads city infrastructure) and businesses too much money especially since we had a record NIL year. Also cheats fans and students of a home game.”
One fan gave him an A, saying, “I would have to say an A because of across the board different sports success and the facility improvements for most of the sports teams. I believe his football coach hiring ability has turned upward.”
Jared Stronko closed with this take: “I think he’s a keep if we quit firing coaches once every two years. If Golesh were to get fired, then I would consider getting a new AD”
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