Auburn Appoints Golesh as South Florida’s New Head Coach

Auburn University has officially announced the appointment of Alex Golesh as the new head football coach. Golesh, previously at the helm of South Florida, has signed a six-year contract with the Tigers. His hiring comes after a challenging era for Auburn football, which recently experienced five consecutive losing seasons.

Auburn’s Coaching Change

The 41-year-old Golesh boasts a record of 23-15 from his three seasons at South Florida. Under his leadership, the Bulls recorded a commendable 9-3 season, marking their best performance since 2017. Golesh expressed his enthusiasm for joining Auburn, a program he described as “one of the proudest, most tradition-rich” in college football.

In recent years, Auburn endured significant challenges, culminating in the firing of coach Hugh Freeze on November 2. Freeze concluded his tenure with a 15-19 record over two-plus seasons. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin filled the role of interim head coach during the Tigers’ last three games.

Golesh’s Record and Impact

• Previous Record at USF: 23-15 in three seasons.
• Best Season: 9-3 in 2023, the program’s best since 2017.
• Coaching Style: Emphasizes a player-driven approach and hard work.

Auburn’s athletic director, John Cohen, praised Golesh’s track record and his reputation for player development and offensive creativity. Golesh’s previous experience includes serving as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, giving him familiarity with the competitive Southeastern Conference.

Bringing Talent to Auburn

In addition to his own expertise, Golesh plans to bring several offensive assistants from South Florida, including coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon. Together, they orchestrated one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. This past season, South Florida ranked second in total offense with an average of 501.7 yards per game and fourth in scoring with 43 points per game.

Golesh successfully transformed a struggling USF program, which was coming off a 1-11 season in 2022. He made history by leading the Bulls to bowl eligibility in his first three years.

Looking Ahead

As Golesh takes charge at Auburn, he will have the opportunity to reshape the football program. He is set to inherit a team that has faced struggles but has potential for significant improvement.

Meanwhile, South Florida is already searching for a new head coach. The interim role for the Bulls will be filled by current defensive line coach Kevin Patrick during their upcoming bowl game.

In summary, Alex Golesh’s new appointment as head coach at Auburn marks the beginning of a promising chapter for the Tigers. His capacity for building winning teams and his familiarity with the SEC make him a potentially transformative figure for Auburn football.