Alex Golesh isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on Auburn football. With the offseason in full swing and roster construction at the top of his to-do list, the new head coach is focused on one thing: building a team that fits-not just in talent, but in identity.
This isn’t about chasing stars on recruiting websites or winning the offseason headlines. For Golesh, it’s about finding players who can thrive in the system he’s bringing to the Plains-players who match the culture he’s trying to build and elevate it.
“We’re going to go get the very best football players that fit what we do, that fit our culture, that can enhance our culture,” Golesh said. “Whether that equates to a top-10 class or not, I don’t know, but we’re going to recruit at the highest level you possibly can.”
The blueprint is clear: dominate the local footprint. Auburn sits in the heart of a recruiting goldmine, and Golesh wants to lock down the 250-mile radius around campus. That means keeping elite talent from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi home-and in orange and blue.
But this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Golesh knows that building a complete roster in today’s college football world means thinking beyond geography. When the local pipeline doesn’t fill every need, he’s not afraid to go national.
“We’re going to go national in some spots that we may not be able to get locally here,” he said. “And then at the end of the day, we’ll supplement-especially through this first year or two-with the portal.”
There’s no denying the transfer portal has changed the game. For a coach trying to fast-track a rebuild, it’s a lifeline. Golesh is embracing it, especially when it offers a second chance to bring back high-level players who may have left the region but still have ties to the area.
“It’d be silly not to,” he said. “Especially when guys from this area have left and there’s an opportunity to bring them back that are high-level players for a multitude of different reasons.”
Golesh also pointed to Auburn’s location as a major reason he took the job in the first place. Nestled in the heart of the Southeast, the program sits within striking distance of some of the best high school football talent in the country. That’s not just a luxury-it’s a strategic advantage.
“I think that’s why this job is so attractive,” Golesh explained. “Whether it’s 250 or 300 miles around here, this is the best high school football in the entire country in that area. Guys will inherently-people come down here and recruit.”
Translation: Auburn doesn’t have to go far to find elite athletes. The challenge is keeping them home.
Golesh’s plan isn’t flashy, but it’s focused. He’s not chasing quick fixes.
He’s building a foundation-one that leans on local talent, supplements through the portal, and prioritizes fit over hype. If he can execute it, Auburn could be back in the national conversation sooner than most expect.
This is a program with tradition, resources, and a passionate fan base. With Golesh at the helm and a clear identity forming, the Tigers might not be flying under the radar for long.