Auburn’s Rebuild Under Alex Golesh Begins with a Portal Push and a Culture Shift
Alex Golesh has officially taken the reins at Auburn, and with that comes a fresh wave of optimism - and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of uncertainty. The Tigers’ 2026 roster is taking shape, largely thanks to a flurry of transfer portal additions. And while the haul might not have turned heads in the rankings, it just might be enough to give Auburn a fighting chance in the SEC this fall.
Let’s call it what it is: this is a roster in transition. Golesh didn’t inherit a turnkey program.
He inherited a program in need of a reset - one that’s been through back-to-back coaching changes, uneven recruiting cycles, and a locker room culture that’s struggled to find its identity. So when a respected voice from Inside Texas described Golesh’s first-year roster construction as “an effort to create a playable roster,” it wasn’t a cheap shot - it was a reality check.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no reason for hope.
Golesh brought some of his best talent with him from South Florida, including quarterback Byrum Brown and wide receiver Keshaun Singleton. That duo formed a solid connection at USF, and now they’ll look to replicate that chemistry on the Plains.
Brown brings mobility and a live arm - two traits that fit well in Golesh’s uptempo, spread-based offense. Singleton, meanwhile, offers familiarity and reliability in a receiving corps that’s still finding its footing.
Still, Auburn’s transfer class ranks at the bottom of the SEC, according to On3. That’s a tough pill to swallow in a league where roster depth and blue-chip talent often separate contenders from the rest. Losing standout wideout Jyaire Shorter Coleman certainly didn’t help, and it’s clear that Golesh is piecing together a roster more focused on fit and cohesion than star power.
That might not be a bad thing.
Golesh isn’t just trying to win games - he’s trying to build something sustainable. His track record at USF shows a coach who knows how to maximize what he has.
He took a Bulls program that was down bad and turned it into a team that could punch above its weight, knocking off Florida and Boise State in the process. Now, he’s tasked with doing the same at Auburn - only this time, the stakes are higher, and the spotlight is a whole lot brighter.
What Auburn needs right now isn’t just talent - it’s belief. It’s buy-in.
It’s a locker room that plays hard, plays smart, and plays for each other. That’s what Golesh is trying to cultivate.
If he can get his guys to play disciplined football, avoid self-inflicted wounds, and embrace the underdog mentality that’s historically fueled Auburn’s best seasons, then maybe - just maybe - this rebuild won’t take as long as some expect.
Of course, it won’t be easy. The SEC isn’t exactly forgiving, and even the so-called “winnable” games - Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt - come with no guarantees in this new NIL and revenue-sharing era.
Programs are evolving fast, and roster volatility is the new normal. But Auburn’s path forward isn’t about chasing quick fixes.
It’s about building a foundation.
Golesh’s predecessors struggled to do that. Hugh Freeze never quite got the traction he needed.
Bryan Harsin had a moment of promise in 2021 before things unraveled quickly. By 2022, internal dysfunction had taken over.
That’s the backdrop Golesh is stepping into - and it’s why his emphasis on culture and cohesion matters so much.
This isn’t a team that’s going to be picked to win the SEC West. But that’s never really been Auburn’s thing, has it?
The Tigers have made a habit of thriving when no one sees them coming. And while this year’s roster may not look like much on paper, it’s got the makings of a group that could surprise people - especially if Golesh can instill the kind of belief and discipline that’s been missing in recent years.
The road ahead is steep. But for the first time in a while, Auburn might finally be heading in the right direction.