The speculation surrounding Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin can be put to rest.
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh announced his intentions to retain Durkin on his new staff on Tuesday.
Durkin was named interim head coach after Hugh Freeze was fired after a 10-3 loss to Kentucky on November 1. He posted a 1-2 record while leading the Tigers over their final three games.
It was reported by various outlets that Golesh and Durkin met on Sunday evening to discuss Durkin’s future on the Plains.
“I'm working through it,” Golesh said when asked on Monday if he planned on retaining Durkin. “We've got a plan. We're working through the steps to execute the plan. My hope is that in the next 24 to 48 hours, it's finalized and we have some clarity with which direction we're going.”
In his first year leading the Tigers’ defense, they posted their best rushing defense since 2010 (117.8 ypg), the best total defense since 2017 (330.8 ypg) and the best scoring defense since 2019 (19.5 ppg).
He amped those numbers up this season, fielding a – statistically – historical defense in Year 2. Auburn finished No. 31 nationally in total defense (329.2 ypg), 32nd in scoring defense (20.7 ppg) and was a top-15 unit defending the run (99.3 ypg) – marking the first time Auburn has allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards per game in a season for the first time since 2003.
Until Auburn’s 45-38 overtime loss to then-No. 16 Vanderbilt, the Tigers were just one of three teams in the FBS to allow less than 24 points in a game. They held five of eight SEC teams to under 100 yards rushing, despite playing the top four rushing teams in the league.
“Choosing to keep DJ on our staff was an easy call,” said Golesh in an announcement. “Our relationship goes back more than 20 years to our roots in Ohio, we have worked with some of the same men, and we’ve competed against each other in this great league. We are fortunate to retain one of the top defensive minds in college football here on The Plains. He’s an elite leader, incredible father and husband and will be phenomenal leader on the defensive side of the ball. We have great respect for each other. Time to go to work.”
“Coach Golesh and I have known each other long time and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, his teams and the way they work,” said Durkin. “I’m excited about what he’s going to bring to Auburn and grateful for the chance to work alongside him. I love this group of players, and it mattered to me to keep pushing forward with what they have already started. The support my family and I have felt from the Auburn community has been unbelievable. This is home for us. I’m thankful for the Auburn Family and everything they’ve shown us over the last month, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Contract details are yet to be determined, but he held a $2.5 million salary in 2025, making him the fifth-highest paid assistant coach in college football.
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