DJ Durkin Returns to Auburn Football | Defensive Mastermind Reunites for 2025 Season

The Auburn Tigers just locked in a huge win off the field. DJ Durkin is officially returning as defensive coordinator, and the excitement across the Plains is electric. After leading one of the stingiest scoring defenses in the SEC, Durkin’s return under new head coach Alex Golesh signals one thing: Auburn’s identity is shifting toward discipline, toughness, and dominance.

Durkin’s defense was the glue that held Auburn together during one of the most turbulent seasons in recent memory. Even as interim head coach, he proved that his attention to detail and relentless demand for perfection can elevate a team’s standard. Now, with Golesh running an up-tempo offense, fans are eager to see what happens when Auburn finally balances a dynamic attack with a top-10 caliber defense.

In this episode, we break down why Durkin’s return means more than just X’s and O’s. It’s about stability, culture, and belief. We talk about how the defense can improve—especially in the secondary—and what this means for recruiting. Players like Caleb Harris, Keldric Faulk, and Vontrell “King” Williams could thrive in a system that’s now united behind one vision.

We also discuss why this move solidifies Auburn’s place as one of the most aligned programs in the SEC. With continuity on defense and energy on offense, Auburn could be the team nobody wants to play in 2025.

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BREAKING: Auburn football has its new leader — Alex Golesh. The War Rapport crew breaks down how the Tigers landed Golesh and what really happened with John Summerall and DJ Durkin behind the scenes. Taylor Davis from ESPN joins Mike Gittens for an in-depth look at the coaching swap that rocked the SEC.

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Auburn Football just made one of its most important offseason moves — Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin is returning for the 2025 season under new Head Coach Alex Golesh. This episode of The Auburn Express, powered by The War Rapport, breaks down every angle of this decision, from recruiting implications to defensive continuity and locker room chemistry.

After nearly being in line for the head coaching position, Durkin’s decision to remain says everything about his character and belief in Auburn’s future. In this episode, Mike G and guests discuss what this means for Auburn’s defensive identity, the relationships between Golesh and Durkin, and how the Tigers can keep momentum rolling after a strong defensive showing in 2024.

We also discuss the impact on recruiting, especially for elite linebackers like Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins, who flourished under Durkin’s system. The message is clear — Auburn’s defense isn’t rebuilding; it’s reloading.

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Auburn fans, buckle up! The Tigers have made a major move, hiring Alex Golesh as their next head coach — and the ripple effects are already hitting the Plains. From his USF quarterback possibly transferring in, to questions about offensive playcalling, this hire has everyone talking. In this episode, we break down every angle of this decision, including what it means for Deuce Knight, Auburn’s offensive identity, and staff retention.

We dive deep into Golesh’s potential offensive coordinator hire, how his connection to Cody Burns could shape the wide receiver room, and what Auburn needs to fix most: offensive line development. Will Golesh call plays? Can Auburn finally build a consistent offense around a 3,000-yard passer? We’re asking the questions fans are demanding answers to.

Stay tuned as we preview tomorrow’s press conference, where the new era of Auburn football begins. We’ll be reporting on which players show up — and what that might signal for the team’s future.

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Auburn fans, buckle up! The Tigers have made a major move, hiring Alex Golesh as their next head coach — and the ripple effects are already hitting the Plains. From his USF quarterback possibly transferring in, to questions about offensive playcalling, this hire has everyone talking. In this episode, we break down every angle of this decision, including what it means for Deuce Knight, Auburn’s offensive identity, and staff retention.

We dive deep into Golesh’s potential offensive coordinator hire, how his connection to Cody Burns could shape the wide receiver room, and what Auburn needs to fix most: offensive line development. Will Golesh call plays? Can Auburn finally build a consistent offense around a 3,000-yard passer? We’re asking the questions fans are demanding answers to.

Stay tuned as we preview tomorrow’s press conference, where the new era of Auburn football begins. We’ll be reporting on which players show up — and what that might signal for the team’s future.

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Auburn fans, buckle up — new head coach Alex Golesh is wasting no time reshaping the Plains! In this episode of the Auburn Express, Mike G and Caesar Walker dive deep into Golesh’s introductory press conference and what it means for the Auburn quarterback room, including whether Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels will stay or hit the portal.

After a whirlwind 24 hours, Golesh was officially introduced as Auburn’s 33rd head football coach. He preached toughness, competition, and a process-driven program — but the question remains: will the current roster buy in, or will transfers start rolling?

Mike and Caesar debate whether Byron Brown, Golesh’s former QB from USF, could follow him to Auburn — and what that means for Deuce Knight’s future. Can Golesh truly run a fair QB competition, or will loyalty to his former players shake up the depth chart?

Golesh also emphasized building a “process-driven program” where players wake up every day focused on winning — a direct contrast to the culture under the previous regime. But Auburn fans have heard this before. Will it finally translate on the field in 2025?

🎧 Don’t miss the full breakdown, insight, and fan reaction from Mike and Caesar as Auburn football enters a new era.

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The Auburn family just witnessed a new era begin as Alex Golesh was officially introduced as the 33rd head football coach at Auburn University. In his fiery first press conference, Golesh shared his passion for hard work, toughness, and player-driven culture, promising that Auburn will be “the hardest working, toughest, grittiest program in the entire country.”

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Title: Auburn Football Coaching Shakeup | Cody Burns Return & Marcus Davis Future Update

Auburn fans, buckle up. The winds of change are blowing through the Plains again as new head coach Alex Golesh officially begins shaping his staff. In this episode of The Auburn Express, the crew dives deep into what Golesh’s arrival means for Auburn’s offense, how it affects Marcus Davis, and whether Cody Burns could make a dramatic return to the Plains.

The discussion breaks down why retaining DJ Durkin could influence player decisions, the future of Auburn’s wide receiver and tight end groups, and what fans can expect from Golesh’s offensive philosophy. From NIL realities to recruiting implications, this conversation captures the pulse of Auburn football’s next big moment.

We also talk about the culture shift under Golesh — accountability, player development, and the “no B.S.” mentality fans have been craving. Plus, get insights on John Cohen’s leadership and how Auburn’s athletic department believes they’ve finally gotten this one right.

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BREAKING: Auburn’s 2025 football schedule is officially loaded — and new head coach Alex Golesh faces one of the toughest debut seasons in SEC history. From the clash with Florida’s Jon Sumrall to road trips against Alabama and Georgia, Auburn fans are gearing up for a year full of high-stakes matchups and massive storylines.

In this episode, we break down the full 2025 SEC schedule, analyzing how Golesh’s offensive mindset could shape Auburn’s future. We explore what eight wins would mean in his first year, whether Auburn can finally reach the College Football Playoff, and how recruiting and roster retention will play key roles in this rebuild.

The Florida matchup might be the most anticipated — the coach Auburn didn’t hire vs. the one they did. Expect drama, intensity, and fireworks when the Tigers meet the Gators on the Plains.

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BREAKING NEWS out of Auburn: Cody Burns is coming home. The first domino in Alex Golesh’s new era has fallen as the former Auburn wide receiver and current USF assistant rejoins the Plains to coach wideouts under Golesh’s new offensive system.

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