Auburn’s new offensive coordinator Joel Gordon didn’t waste time making his vision clear: this Tigers offense is going to be built on the ground. Speaking to reporters alongside new head coach Alex Golesh and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, Gordon laid out the foundational philosophy that will define his unit in 2026.
“Our identity is going to be to line up and be able to run the football,” Gordon said. “That’s where everything starts.”
It’s a straightforward message, but one that carries weight-especially in the SEC, where physicality still matters and tempo can be a weapon. Gordon emphasized the importance of getting his players acclimated to a system that’s going to look and feel very different from what many of them are used to. That transition begins now, with offseason workouts, and will continue through spring, summer, and into fall camp.
At the heart of this ground-first identity is returning standout running back Jeremiah Cobb. He was a bright spot for Auburn a season ago, showing explosiveness and consistency in a backfield that needed stability. Gordon made it clear: Cobb is the guy.
“It all starts with Jeremiah Cobb,” Gordon said. “He was here. He’s played here, and he was really productive a year ago.”
But in a system that plans to push the tempo and lean hard on the run, one back isn’t enough. That’s where the transfer portal came into play-and Auburn landed a big piece in former Baylor running back Bryson Washington.
After three years with the Bears, Washington brings experience and production to a room that needed both. He rushed for 778 yards last season, and his addition gives Auburn a legitimate one-two punch in the backfield.
Gordon knows what’s coming. Running backs in a physical, high-tempo system are going to take hits. Depth isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity.
“Behind [Cobb] there's not a ton of experience and proven production,” Gordon admitted. “So you have to have depth with that position regardless of what offense you play in. The way that we play with the tempo, there has to be guys that are ready to be fresh at all times.”
Translation: Auburn’s going to run, and they’re going to run fast. That means rotating backs, keeping legs fresh, and making sure the offense doesn’t lose steam when substitutions happen. It’s a demanding style, both mentally and physically, but it also has the potential to wear down defenses and control games.
Gordon’s comments also hint at the broader identity shift under Golesh’s leadership. This isn’t just about running the ball for the sake of tradition-it’s about establishing physicality, setting the tone, and creating rhythm in an offense that’s going to ask a lot from its players. The Tigers want to be the aggressors, dictating pace and forcing opponents to match their energy.
Building around Cobb, adding proven depth like Washington, and installing a system that rewards toughness and tempo-those are the first steps in Auburn’s offensive rebuild. And if Gordon gets his way, it all starts with running the rock and doing it with purpose.