Where does USA TODAY rank Auburn's Alex Golesh among SEC head coaches?
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Alex Golesh will lead the Auburn Tigers in 2026 hoping to turnaround a program that was once considered one of the SEC's elite football programs.
As expected of a head coach entering his first season with a Power Four program, the expectations are low for Golesh. USA TODAY's Blake Toppmeyer ranked the head coaches of the SEC ahead of the 2026 season, and placed Golesh at No. 11.
Although Golesh is on the backside of the rankings, Toppmeyer sees potential in the partnership between Golesh and the Auburn Tigers. Golesh was the mastermind behind Tennessee's high-powered offenses in 2021 and 2022, and produced quality results during his time at USF, which included wins over Group of Five power Boise State and new SEC rival, Florida. Toppmeyer feels that Golesh's offensive mentality and ability to develop quarterbacks is a strong sign that Auburn will succeed in the new era.
Tennessee’s offense never looked more potent than it did in 2022, when Golesh was its coordinator. As a coach, Golesh turned around South Florida. USF’s upset of Florida solidified him as a Power Four candidate. Golesh recognizes what quarterbacks do well and positions them to do it repeatedly and swiftly in his up-tempo offense. His USF teams failed to seize the moment in key conference games, but Auburn aches for offensive improvement, and Golesh has shown he’s got a mind (and a system) to address the issues.
Auburn fans may feel that Golesh was slighted in the preseason outlook, but it will delight fans to know who Golesh is ahead of. Behind Golesh in the ranking are fellow first-year head coaches Ryan Silverfield of Arkansas and Will Stein of Kentucky, as well as South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer. But, the most notable head coach ranked behind Golesh is Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, who took over for Lane Kiffin following his departure for LSU and led the Rebels to two College Football Playoff wins and a spot in the CFP semifinals.
Golesh will lead Auburn for the first time on Sept. 5 when the Tigers take the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against Baylor, as part of the Aflac Kickoff Game.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Where does USA TODAY rank Auburn's Alex Golesh among SEC head coaches?
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