Auburn’s Offseason Starts with a Gut Punch: Golesh Era Opens with Key Departures
When Auburn made the call to part ways with Hugh Freeze, it wasn’t just a coaching change-it was a signal that the program was ready to hit the reset button. Freeze’s tenure brought in plenty of talent, but the quarterback position remained a revolving door, and that ultimately capped the Tigers’ ceiling.
So when Alex Golesh was tapped as the new head coach, it was a bold move-especially with many fans and players backing Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin for the job. But Golesh’s offensive background brought a spark of hope that he could finally unlock the potential that had been simmering on The Plains.
That optimism, though, has taken some serious early hits.
In today’s college football landscape, a coach’s first month on the job is no longer a honeymoon-it's a pressure cooker. Between salvaging a recruiting class and keeping the roster intact in the face of the ever-active Transfer Portal, the margin for error is razor-thin. And right now, Golesh is feeling that squeeze.
Let’s be blunt: Auburn’s first few weeks under Golesh have been rough. Really rough.
The Cam Coleman Blow
If there was one player Auburn absolutely needed to keep, it was Cam Coleman. The wide receiver wasn’t just a star-he was the star.
A game-changer with the kind of talent that doesn’t just stretch the field but warps defensive game plans. Losing him to the Transfer Portal is a massive blow, and he instantly becomes one of the most coveted names in the portal, if not the top player available.
Coleman wasn’t just important for what he brought to the offense-he was a tone-setter. A foundational piece. And now, he’s gone.
Deuce Knight Departure Leaves a Void at QB
As if losing Coleman wasn’t enough, the Tigers took another major hit when freshman quarterback Deuce Knight announced his plans to transfer. Knight, a 5-star recruit, was seen as the future of the program. He had already flashed his potential in limited action, and while many expected Golesh to bring in a veteran arm to compete, keeping Knight in the fold was seen as crucial for long-term stability.
Now, Auburn finds itself without a clear answer at the most important position on the field-and without the elite young talent they were hoping to build around.
Wide Receiver Room Gutted
Coleman’s exit was just the tip of the iceberg. Auburn’s wide receiver corps has been decimated this offseason.
Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, and Horatio Fields-four of the team’s top five leading receivers when you include Coleman-are all out the door. That leaves Eric Singleton Jr. as the last man standing from that group, and even his status remains uncertain as he weighs his options between the NFL Draft and another potential transfer.
That’s not just a talent drain-it’s a full-scale reset at a position that was once a strength.
Offensive Line Takes a Hit, Too
The hits keep coming. Offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin, one of the biggest additions from the 2025 Transfer Portal cycle, is also on the move.
Chaplin came into the year with first-round potential. While his season may not have lived up to that billing, he was still a key piece on the line and someone Auburn would’ve loved to build around.
His departure only adds to the growing list of holes Golesh will need to fill.
What’s Next for Golesh?
There’s no sugarcoating it: this is not the start Auburn fans were hoping for. The team looked like it was just a quarterback away from making real noise.
Now? It’s starting to feel like a full-blown rebuild.
Golesh is going to have to work overtime in the Transfer Portal to retool this roster. The Tigers need help across the board-quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line-and they need it fast. The portal has become college football’s version of free agency, and Auburn will need to hit big if they want to stay competitive in the SEC.
The good news? There’s still time.
The portal remains open, and Golesh has a chance to reshape the roster before spring ball. But the margin for error is slim, and the pressure is already mounting.
Golesh was brought in to ignite Auburn’s offense. Now, he’s got to rebuild it from the ground up.