Auburn football coaching staff tracker: Who's joining Alex Golesh?

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AUBURN — Alex Golesh may have the first six months of his Auburn football tenure mapped out minute-by-minute, but it was clear which timeframe had the utmost importance at his introductory press conference Monday, Dec. 1.

“These first, really, seven days are as critical as anything else,” he said.

In that time, Golesh is off and running on several fronts. He’s recruiting his own roster, he’s in the thick of the early signing period. And he’s building out his first coaching staff at Auburn.

Some pieces have already fallen into place, reportedly or otherwise, but one of the nation’s brightest offensive minds is getting his career-first opportunity: The chance to build an SEC staff in the hopes of turning around a downtrodden program.

As Golesh continues building out his staff, follow us here for reports and updates on the latest.

Vontrell King-Williams reportedly staying on Alex Golesh’s staff

Dec. 2: After Durkin’s hire was formally announced, On3 reported that defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams would remain on Golesh’s staff.

Alex Golesh announces he’ll retain DJ Durkin on Auburn football staff

Dec. 2: Golesh announced Durkin’s retention in a statement, referring to it as an “easy call.”

“Our relationship goes back more than 20 years to our roots in Ohio,” Golesh said. “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.”

Kodi Burns joining Alex Golesh’s staff as associate head coach

Dec. 1: Burns, who played at Auburn from 2007 to 2010, will be the program’s associate head coach, Golesh announced at his introductory press conference. It’s also a return to Auburn for Burns as a coach. He was part of Gus Malzahn’s staff from 2016 to 2020.

Burns was on Golesh’s South Florida staff this year, with the title of assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. The pair also coached together at Tennessee in 2021.

The hire of Burns was first reported Nov. 30, the day of Golesh’s hiring. According to 247Sports, Golesh was also bringing four other members of his South Florida staff: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon, offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick, cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke and strength coach George Courides.

Who’s joining Alex Golesh’s Auburn football coaching staff?

Golesh has made just two hires official, in Burns and Durkin, though he has yet to announce their official rules. It’s presumed they’ll handle, at the least, wide receivers coach and defensive coordinator duties, respectively, but the majority of Golesh’s hires are unofficial to this point.

DJ Durkin: Defensive coordinator
- Previous role: Auburn defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
Kodi Burns: Associate head coach
- Previous role: South Florida assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach

Reported hires: Demarcus Van Dyke (USF CB coach); Joel Gordon (USF OC/QB coach); Tyler Hudanik (USF OL coach); Vontrell King-Williams (Auburn DL coach)

Who won’t be retained on Alex Golesh’s Auburn football coaching staff?

That’s largely unclear to this point, but it’s a safe bet that most of Hugh Freeze’s offensive assistants won’t be retained. Freshman JJ Faulk also said Dec. 2 that he lost his position coach in a post on social media, meaning Golesh wouldn’t be retaining edge rushers coach Roc Bellantoni.

Reported departures: Roc Bellantoni (Auburn EDGE coach)

What are the unknowns from Hugh Freeze’s Auburn football staff?

Here’s a list of all the coaches from Freeze’s staff who haven’t had their status officially announced:

Ben Aigamaua: Tight ends coach
Chad Lunsford: Special teams coordinator
Derrick Nix: Offensive coordinator/Running backs coach
Jake Thornton: Offensive line coach
Kent Austin: Quarterbacks coach
Marcus Davis: Wide receivers coach
TJ Rushing: Safeties coach
Wesley McGriff: Cornerbacks coach

Has Alex Golesh made any off-the-field staff hires?

George Courides, Golesh’s strength and conditioning coach, will reportedly will the same role at Auburn, according to 247Sports. It also reported that five South Florida front office staff are coming to the Plains, as well as four analysts.

Reported hires: Alex Fagan (USF scouting director); Andrew Warsaw (USF chief of staff); Brad Wilson (USF LB assistant); Ephi Levy (USF player personnel director); George Courides (USF S&C coach); Harding Harper (USF recruiting director); Jeff Jones (USF player development director); Larry Scott III (USF OLB assistant); Parker Ball (USF OL assistant); Parker Carmichael (USF WR assistant)

Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam’s work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football coaching staff tracker: Charting Alex Golesh’s hires

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