Alex Golesh isn’t easing into his new role at Auburn - he’s hitting the recruiting trail with purpose. For the Tigers’ new head coach, building a competitive, sustainable program starts with one thing: talent.
And Golesh made it clear he’s not just looking to fill roster spots. He’s aiming to bring in elite high school players who can be developed into the kind of difference-makers that turn programs around.
“To me, it starts with the high school guys,” Golesh said, laying out his vision. “This is a place where you should be able to recruit elite, high-level talent, elite, high-level people and develop them all the way through.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Golesh knows that in today’s college football landscape, the arms race isn’t just about facilities or NIL deals - it’s about proof of concept.
Recruits want to see that a program not only talks the talk, but walks it on Saturdays. And Golesh believes Auburn is uniquely positioned to do just that.
He pointed to the investment Auburn has already made - in facilities, in staff, in infrastructure - as a foundation to build on. But he also knows that as a new head coach, there’s a hurdle to clear: showing recruits and their families that his vision can become reality.
That’s where his recent work at USF comes in. Golesh isn’t shy about using his previous success as a selling point.
“You want to be able to show proof of concept of what you’re going to do from a football side,” he said. “There’s obviously some with me coming from a situation where we can say, ‘This is what we are offensively.’”
On the other side of the ball, Golesh pointed to defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and the identity he’s built. It’s all part of the pitch - a blend of offensive innovation and defensive toughness that Golesh hopes will resonate with recruits and their families.
Still, this isn’t just about building for the future. Golesh knows the clock is ticking.
In the SEC, patience is a luxury. He’s walking a tightrope - trying to win now while laying the groundwork for sustained success.
“That’s where the balance is,” he said. “You want to be the very best version of us this fall that you possibly can be while recruiting and building for a sustainable long-term program at the same time.”
That means being aggressive in the transfer portal - not as a crutch, but as a supplement. Golesh plans to target specific needs, bringing in experienced players who can contribute immediately without sacrificing the long-term development of the program.
It’s a two-track strategy: build through high school recruiting, plug gaps with portal talent, and mold it all into a cohesive unit that can compete in the toughest conference in college football.
Golesh understands the stakes. Auburn is a program with expectations - and a fan base that doesn’t do rebuilds quietly.
But he’s not flinching. He’s embracing the challenge, and he’s made it clear that recruiting won’t be an afterthought.
It’s the engine driving everything he wants to accomplish on The Plains.
If Golesh can back up his vision with results - both on the field and on the recruiting trail - Auburn could be in for a new era of relevance. One that doesn’t just chase wins, but builds something that lasts.