After a chaotic weekend on the Plains that saw Auburn football part ways with head coach Hugh Freeze after a 10-3 loss to Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin was named the interim head coach in hopes of salvaging what is left of the Tigers’ season.
Freeze was fired on Sunday afternoon in the midst of his third season leading the Tigers’ program. Obviously, as it has been well-documented, he left much to be desired, especially offensively.
Durkin, who Auburn athletic director John Cohen said will have the freedom to run the show for the final three weeks of the season, was asked on Monday if there would be any immediate staff changes.
“Derrick Nix will be the (offensive) play caller. He'll be the play caller every down. He's the sole play caller,” said Durkin. “I have extreme confidence in Derrick. Derrick and I have worked together at previous stops as well. Again, another great person, great coach. I think the players really responded to him, and they understand where he's coming from. And I think Derrick’s gonna do a great job, and we will be aggressive in everything we do.”
Defensively, Auburn has been one of the best units in the nation. It is one of three teams in the FBS (Indiana and Ohio State) that have not allowed more than 24 points in a single game this season. Auburn has held its opponent under its scoring average in all nine games this season, including 9.5-plus points under its average in eight of nine games.
“I'll be calling the defense,” said Durkin. “We won't change how we're doing that. I think that we have a good flow of how we do things on defense. I love our staff, I love our group, and I don't want to uproot and change a lot of that. So we're keeping that as normal as possible.”
Durkin also held the role of linebackers coach in addition to being the defensive play caller all season. Now that he will have to wear two hats – being the head coach and defensive play caller – he will rely upon the same help he has all season in regards to the linebacker room.
“Jake Jiannoni is my guy who works with linebackers on defense. He's been doing that all year long as the coordinator. There are times when I need some help with the position group as well. He'll continue that. He does a tremendous job,” said Durkin.
Auburn will travel to Nashville on Saturday to take on No. 15 Vanderbilt. The game is set for 3 p.m. on SECN.
“Our focus is 100% on Vanderbilt,” said Durkin. “We're trying to go 1-0 this week, and that will take all of our focus.”
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