The Auburn Express crew dives deep into the biggest question on The Plains — who should be Auburn’s next head coach and what happens if DJ Durkin isn’t part of that plan. With Hugh Freeze now out, the conversation turns to the real power players behind Auburn’s next move, and whether John Cohen will finally get this hire right.

This week’s episode gets into the gritty details:

Would Auburn back up the Brinks truck for Lincoln Riley — and would that even work?

Why DJ Durkin’s retention might be the most important decision Auburn makes this offseason.

Whether Kenny Dillingham or Jon Sumrall could actually stabilize the program.

And what the future looks like for quarterbacks Duce Knight and Jackson Arnold heading into spring.

The guys make it clear: Auburn needs a coach who can delegate, build a staff he trusts, and finally move away from micromanaging play callers. If Auburn learned anything from the Freeze and Harsin eras, it’s that trying to do everything yourself doesn’t work in 2025 college football.

They also touch on the dynamic inside the locker room, how the young defensive core has responded to Durkin, and what losing him could mean for Auburn’s retention and transfer portal outlook. Plus, they debate whether Jackson Arnold will stay loyal or hit the portal after losing his starting job to Ashton.

This is a no fluff, all facts conversation about the future of Auburn football.

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Auburn football is at a crossroads. The latest episode of The Auburn Express dives deep into the heart of the 2025 coaching search — and the conversation is as fiery as ever. From DJ Durkin’s impact on player retention to Lincoln Riley’s defensive issues, the crew lays out what Auburn fans need to know as the university eyes its next move.

The panel isn’t holding back. Could Auburn back up the Brinks truck to land a superstar coach? Would DJ Durkin’s presence convince key defensive players to stay? And what about Kenny Dillingham — could the young offensive mind be the one to finally balance Auburn’s offensive firepower with defensive consistency?

They also break down why Auburn’s next coach can’t afford to call plays in today’s college football world. The message is clear: you need staff you can trust. The conversation moves from strategy to culture, from recruiting to leadership — and it’s a must-watch for anyone invested in Auburn’s future.

Finally, the crew touches on Jackson Arnold’s mindset, his role in the quarterback room, and what his future could look like if Auburn chooses to move in a new direction. With transfers looming and recruiting heating up, every decision from here on out matters.

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Auburn’s coaching search has turned into one of the most fascinating stories in the SEC, and this week’s conversation with SEC Mike cuts through the noise. The Auburn job has been misunderstood by outsiders for years, but the reality is simple. Auburn has a top fifteen roster, serious NIL backing, fans who sell out a stadium even in the middle of bad football, and one of the best game day environments in the country. The only thing missing is competent leadership at the top. That is why this coaching search matters more than anything the program has faced in a decade.

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The Auburn football coaching search just took another interesting turn, and this episode breaks down everything that is actually happening behind the scenes. DJ Durkin is heading into his first home game as the interim coach, and it has the Mercer matchup feeling a lot more charged than anyone expected. With the push to start Deuce Knight and the energy inside Jordan Hare starting to build again, Auburn fans are watching this week closely.

The conversation digs into where Kenny Dillingham and Jon Sumrall sit in the current coaching landscape, along with how realistic each candidate really is. There is a lot of noise online, but some of it does not line up with what is happening inside the building. The truth is that Auburn is already working to retain key roster pieces, and players are getting steady communication from the people who matter. The future of the roster is a major factor in this search, and that is influencing everything.

We also break down the shift on offense against Kentucky and why it mattered. Auburn finally leaned into its receivers, and Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Malcolm Simmons, and Eric Singleton showed why this group was recruited so heavily. The offense did enough to win. The defense had an off day, but there is confidence they will rebound.

This episode digs into what Auburn needs to do to move quickly when the portal opens and how postseason opportunities for certain candidates may influence the timing. There is a clear plan forming, and the next two weeks will be critical for Durkin and anyone hoping to make a case for the job.

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Auburn fans are living through one of the most unpredictable coaching searches the program has seen in years. In this breakdown, I dig into what the last two decades of Auburn football have taught us, how the offense fell apart under Hugh Freeze, why DJ Durkin suddenly looks like a real candidate, and what John Cohen’s next steps mean for roster retention. The conversations inside the building matter right now more than anything happening on the outside. Players are getting calls from every direction, the portal window is opening, and Auburn has no choice but to get this right quickly.

One of the biggest revelations from the transcript is how simple things became once Durkin took control. Kam Coleman finally got the ball. Receivers suddenly looked featured. The offense looked like it belonged in modern football instead of whatever Auburn had been limping through for half a season. If that continues through the next couple of games, it becomes impossible to ignore.

Cohen knows he doesn’t get two more attempts at this. He wants this hire locked in within 24 hours of the Iron Bowl, and the way he’s already meeting with players suggests he has a direction. The interesting part? Several reported candidates have asked whether Durkin would stay if they took the job. That alone tells you the staff situation is more complex than fans think.

Regardless of who takes over, you cannot blow up a roster this talented. Auburn’s recruiting foundation is stronger than most outsiders realize. The next coach inherits something stable, something promising, and something that can win fast if handled properly.

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Auburn heads into Mercer week with something rare on the schedule. A game that cannot be lost and a chance to make a smart move that pays off long after Saturday. The real story this week is not Mercer. It is the quarterback room and how Auburn handles Ashton Daniels, Deuce Knight, and Jackson Arnold. If Auburn wants to build momentum toward the Iron Bowl and keep this roster together, the strategy begins right now.

Mercer week is the perfect opportunity to set the tone. I talk about why Auburn should not burn a year of Ashton Daniels eligibility and why it is time to let the younger quarterbacks get real snaps that matter. Every quarterback has something at stake. Ashton Daniels can protect his future. Deuce Knight can show the staff why he is the next guy. Jackson Arnold can shake off that last rough moment and put something real on film again. Getting this right is part of building the future.

Roster retention is the biggest priority for Auburn right now. Fans who talk about blowing up the roster are out of touch with reality. You do not push out elite talent. You keep Cam Coleman. You keep Eric Singleton. You keep the offensive identity that finally looks like a real system. The players want stability. The coaches want continuity. And Auburn’s next head coach needs to inherit a roster that is ready to win. I talk through how this works, why DJ Durkin is in the middle of an evaluation with John Cohen, and what it means for the future of the program.

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Auburn Football fans, the coaching search is officially heating up. With names like Kenny Dillingham, John Summerall, and DJ Durkin leading the conversation, Auburn is once again at a crossroads. Can the Tigers return to national prominence in just one year with the right hire?

Today on The Auburn Express, I’m joined by national college football analyst Chris Marler to break down every angle of the search — from the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate to the real challenges that lie ahead for John Cohen.

We talk Auburn’s brutal 2026 schedule, why the Durkin audition might be real, and whether Kenny Dillingham’s offensive ties to Auburn make him the smart play. We also dive into how the Hugh Freeze era collapsed, what went wrong, and how Auburn can finally get it right.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, unfiltered conversation about where Auburn football goes next — and why the right coach could make the Plains electric again by 2026.

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Auburn football is in full transition mode — and it’s heating up fast. Mike G sits down after an exclusive one-on-one with Auburn Athletic Director Jon Cohen to break down what’s next for the Tigers after the Hugh Freeze era came to an end.

Cohen didn’t hold back, giving honest insight into Auburn’s coaching search and how close the Tigers are to “breaking the bank” to land their next head coach. Auburn fans can breathe easy knowing that money will not be the reason they miss out on their top target.

Meanwhile, interim coach DJ Durkin and offensive coordinator Derrick Nix made headlines after Auburn’s overtime battle with Vanderbilt. Nix’s play-calling unleashed a 300-yard passer, two 100-yard receivers, and a 100-yard rusher — numbers Auburn fans haven’t seen in years.

Durkin’s debut earned him a B+ grade, considering the short turnaround and the chaos surrounding the program. But if Auburn wins out against Mercer and Alabama, things could get interesting fast. Could the Tigers remove the “interim” tag and make Durkin the guy?

Cohen says roster retention will be key. Auburn boasts one of the most talented groups in the country, and keeping stars like Cam Coleman happy could determine who leads the Tigers in 2025.

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Auburn football is at a crossroads. After another turbulent season and Hugh Freeze’s exit, athletic director John Cohen faces the biggest decision of his tenure — hiring Auburn’s next head coach. But one question looms larger than any other: will DJ Durkin stay on the Plains?

In this episode of The Auburn Express, Mike G. and ESPN’s Taylor Davis dive deep into DJ Durkin’s future and Auburn’s coaching search, reacting to Cohen’s revealing comments about the qualities Auburn wants in its next leader. Cohen says fans would be “shocked” at some of the national names interested in the job, but it’s Durkin who has everyone talking after a strong showing as interim head coach.

Taylor breaks down how potential hires like John Summerall, Kenny Dillingham, and Eli Drinkwitz could impact Durkin’s chances to remain as defensive coordinator — or even get promoted. Meanwhile, Mike points out that Durkin’s decision could determine whether Auburn keeps its defensive stars like Cam Coleman and Xavier Atkins.

This episode also covers what Auburn’s top players are saying behind the scenes, how the administration is balancing NIL and roster retention, and what Cohen’s “edge” comment reveals about Auburn’s future identity.

0:00 – Auburn’s coaching dilemma

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Auburn Assistant Coach Steven Pearl broke down the Tigers’ 3-0 start after their win over Wofford — and he didn’t sugarcoat what needs to improve. Pearl praised Keyshawn Hall for his third straight 20-point game, noting how the forward’s expanded range and leadership are fueling Auburn’s early success. He also highlighted Kevin Overton’s breakout night, returning to the defensive form he showed at Texas Tech, locking down Wofford’s top scorer and showing what Auburn needs from him to compete with elite teams.

Defensively, Pearl made it clear Auburn isn’t where it needs to be yet. He called out lapses in transition defense, missed rotations, and too much ball-watching — things that simply won’t fly against Houston, one of the most physical and relentless offensive rebounding teams in the country. He challenged his players to “hit a body on every shot” and play through all 40 minutes, not just 30.

Pearl also singled out Elijah Todd’s improvement after early defensive struggles, and how his attention to detail in the second half set a standard. When asked about calling a quick timeout after back-to-back buckets, Pearl said it was all about effort: “I’ll always coach effort and energy. That’s the standard.”

Auburn now faces its toughest test of the young season against Houston, a matchup that will measure how much this group has truly grown. Pearl’s message? Stay locked in, stay physical, and understand that this is the level you have to meet to beat the best.

🏀 Watch the full breakdown for every key takeaway from Steven Pearl’s postgame presser and Auburn’s 3-0 start.

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