Alex Golesh Brings Collaborative Offensive Vision to Auburn Football
AUBURN - With Alex Golesh officially taking the reins at Auburn, the Tigers are once again turning to an offensive-minded leader to reshape the program. Golesh becomes Auburn’s fourth head coaching hire since 2013, and like the three before him, he arrives with a résumé built on high-powered offenses and fast-paced football.
Golesh made his name coordinating explosive attacks at Tennessee and UCF, and most recently led South Florida to one of the most productive offenses in the nation. His Bulls ranked in the top five nationally in both scoring and total offense - a clear signal that he knows how to move the ball and light up the scoreboard.
But at Auburn, the big question isn’t just can he run an offense - it’s how he plans to do it. After a season where the Tigers’ play-calling often felt disjointed and inconsistent under Hugh Freeze, fans and analysts alike are eager to understand what Golesh’s approach will look like on the Plains.
On Monday, Golesh offered some clarity.
“It’s going to continue to be what it has been the last couple of years at the University of South Florida,” Golesh said. “An offensive staff that’s going to be absolutely elite - the large chunk of which is coming with.
Those guys will absolutely crush it offensively. They will call the plays, and everybody else in that room will have a ton of input.”
That last part is key. While Golesh is bringing in a staff he trusts to handle the play-calling duties, the process won’t be a one-man show. It’s a collaborative model - one that leans on constant communication and shared responsibility.
So, is Auburn about to go back to the “too many cooks in the kitchen” approach that frustrated fans last season? Not exactly. Golesh made it clear that while multiple voices will be heard, there will be a defined play-caller - someone with the final say and the responsibility to get the Tigers in the right looks.
“Offensive line coach is crazy involved, quarterback coach is crazy involved,” Golesh explained. “We’ve got young coaches that are crazy involved, and when you get into a game, there’s so much conversation in between drives.
… I have a two cents at times. We all kind of do.
Ultimately, the guy calling the plays, it’s on him to get us in the right spots. But it’s constant communication.”
That kind of synergy can be powerful when done right. It’s about building a staff that trusts each other, knows the system inside and out, and can adjust on the fly. And with Golesh bringing much of his South Florida staff with him, there’s already a built-in familiarity that could help Auburn hit the ground running.
So far, the only official staff hire is a familiar face: former Auburn receiver Kodi Burns, who will return to the Plains as associate head coach after serving under Golesh at USF. Burns brings both experience and a deep connection to the program - a move that should resonate with players and fans alike.
Other reported additions from Golesh’s USF staff include co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon, offensive line coach and run game coordinator Tyler Hudanick, cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke, and head strength and conditioning coach George Courides.
While the full staff is still being finalized, the early signs point to a cohesive unit built on shared vision and proven chemistry. And if Golesh’s track record is any indication, Auburn’s offense could be in for a much-needed resurgence - one built not just on flashy schemes, but on communication, collaboration, and a clear sense of direction.