Newly named Auburn head football coach Alex Golesh formally announced his decision to retain defensive coordinator DJ Durkin last week after Durkin served as the Tigers' interim head coach for the final three games of the season.
It was a move that Golesh said he was eager to make from the start.
“As I was going to go through and put a staff together, DJ was the defensive coordinator I wanted to hire,” said Golesh on Monday.
Durkin emerged as a strong candidate in the final hours of athletic director John Cohen’s search for a head coach – and really throughout the whole process. As a result, Auburn players voiced their opinions on the defensive playcaller, with defensive end Keldrick Faulk calling the four-week stretch with Durkin at the helm “the best four weeks of my life.”
“As you sit and talk to these guys that have played here for him defensively, the sentiment is all the same – organized, thorough, detailed, incredible motivator, and above all of that just a really good human being that cares about the young guys in the program,” Golesh said of Durkin.
Golesh has emphasized since Day 1 the importance of retaining players already in the building – that is, of course, if they have a desire to be at Auburn and help turn the program's trajectory around. Golesh spoke about a few key defensive positions, saying that a culture is already in place on that side of the ball. Retaining Durkin obviously helps the continuity on that side of the ball.
But Durkin’s impact doesn’t stop with the defense. Golesh said there is an obvious sentiment between Durkin and the offensive players who got to spend more time with him in the latter half of the season.
“It’s been amazing playing for him,” Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels said after the Iron Bowl. “He’s a phenomenal leader, one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. His message was just that there’s a championship team in this program, and I truly believe that. A lot of guys truly believe that.”
“For the time that he was the interim head coach, and even before that, these offensive guys that had the chance to play for him absolutely loved it,” Golesh reiterated on Monday.
Durkin is one of two defensive hires – along with defensive assistant Brad Williams – who Golesh has officially announced. Needless to say, Golesh is uber-confident in his defensive leader and believes he is the best in the country.
“He's going to lead the defense,” Golesh later added. “He's going to be a huge part of my decision-making in terms of how we move forward with the recruiting sides. Going to be a huge part of my decision-making as we move forward through the offseason plan and into the season.”
In 2025, Auburn’s defense allowed its lowest yards per carry (2.86) and rushing yards per game (99.3) since 2003, and the fewest yards overall allowed (329.2) since 2017.
Under his leadership, linebacker Xavier Atkins produced at an All-American level, finishing the year with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
“I do truly believe that that's one of the best football minds in the country,” Golesh said. “I truly believe that's one of the best, not just defensive coordinators of the country, but one of the best football coaches.”
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