Alex Golesh announces first hires of new Auburn football staff
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The new-look Auburn football staff under head coach Alex Golesh is beginning to take shape.
During Monday's press conference, Golesh officially announced the hiring of several new staff members, including coordinators and off-field personnel. DJ Durkin headlines the new hires as he is set to return as defensive coordinator for the Tigers. Durkin served as the defensive coordinator under Hugh Freeze's staff and was later named interim head coach, leading Auburn into its final three regular-season games.
Golesh says the decision to retain Durkin is great for roster retention and the program's growth.
"DJ (Durkin) was the defensive coordinator I wanted to hire. So for me, how fortunate I think I am to be able to get a veteran guy that's, in my opinion, the best in the country right now, with experience in this conference playing these same teams that we're going to play," Golesh said. "And 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, because I think sometimes that gets lost too. It's like there's these guys are still young men that need mentors, that need guidance, that want to be cared about, that want to be told the truth. All of those things are critically important to me, are critically important to DJ."
Outside of Durkin, Golesh will bring on Joel Gordon as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Tyler Hudanick as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator, Brad Wilson as a defensive assistant, and Andrew Warsaw to serve as general manager. Golesh has also named former Auburn quarterback/wide receiver Kodi Burns as associate head coach, and defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams is expected to be retained.
“Our approach has been really simple. We want elite people in every area of our program. Auburn has the resources to go get the best in the country, and that’s exactly what we’re doing," Golesh said. "Everyone who touches our players matters. These are elite men, elite teachers, and elite recruiters. They will do right by these young men and help us deliver the kind of program the Auburn Family deserves.”
Golesh will continue to assemble his first staff as several key defensive areas remain vacant.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football new hires under Alex Golesh
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