It's very easy to make excuses for first-year head coaches. The program is in flux, new systems are being installed, and you can always chalk up any negatives to the fact that it's a "transition season." For the Auburn Tigers under Alex Golesh, those excuses won't cut it.
The team held its first fall scrimmage on Friday, and Golesh didn't hold back on his thoughts:
Alex Golesh after Auburn's first scrimmage of the fall:
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) August 14, 2026
"Overall, a sloppy day on both sides... We didn’t look like a veteran team. We looked like a team that has highs and lows and is emotional and rides with that, which is the complete opposite of what we want." pic.twitter.com/jIMxy2jNTj
Golesh even mentioned the excuses that can typically be made, saying, "You could make an excuse and say man, first scrimmage, first time really... A lot to work on, like a ton to work on. And that's the truth on that."
It's a blunt summation of where this team is at right now, and where this team wants to be. Heading into the season, optimism is high for Auburn fans, but a lot of that optimism is pointed towards simply being a competitive bowl team again. It's clear that within the building, there won't be any settling for simple bowl eligibility.
This season is the culmination of years of development
One of the reasons that the standard is so high for this team is the fact that this is not necessarily a brand new team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Just flip on a USF game from a year ago, you'll see Golesh, Byrum Brown, Chas Nimrod, and countless others who are now in orange and blue. Golesh brought a big chunk of his offense over from his previous job, and there is an expectation of continuity that comes with that fact.
Golesh got to USF in 2023, and he's been with his quarterback Brown for three seasons already. This season is not an introductory one for this offensive core, but instead the culmination of a years-long relationship. With all the work that this unit has put in together, there's no shot they'll be just fine with 7-5 and a trip to Shreveport.
So, of course, just a few weeks away from the start of the season, this unit should look anything but sloppy.
Golesh continued on Friday: “There were some bright spots, but there was also some pre-snap stuff that is not how you can function offensively."
That is precisely why he was so displeased on Friday. This unit should be firing on all cylinders right now. It would be one thing if the defense gave them trouble after the snap, but pre-snap? That stuff has to be better, and it has to be better immediately.
This was, of course, just one scrimmage, so hopefully this was just a case of shaking off some cobwebs, but Auburn's schedule doesn't allow much time for that. They'll open with Baylor, then start SEC play in Week 3 against Florida. Only Southern Miss in Week 2 allows the Tigers to work out the kinks against significantly inferior competition.
It will be interesting to see how the vibe changes as the season approaches, but for now, it looks like, at the very least, the Tigers know exactly what it is they need to work on.
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