Auburn head coach Alex Golesh got the job done in Athens on Saturday night in a way that many fans (this site included) were not expecting or believing in all week.
His Tigers defeated Georgia 27-24 on a 34-yard Alex McPherson field-goal kick as time expired to give Auburn its first win in Athens since 1999. This was the first win over the Bulldogs in any capacity since a 2017 Tigers win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Auburn family is certainly partying like it's 1999 after the biggest underdog victory at the spread since beating LSU in 2002. Beyond the enormity of the win itself, though, was a display of leadership from the most beloved coach on the Plains since Gus Malzahn.
Not only as a coach, but as a parent.
Golesh made a promise to his son, Bear, that he could be on the field after an AU win. Bear believed this would happen and asked his father for it earlier in the week, since the rest of the family was at his sister and Alex's daughter's homecoming.
“We’re on the field bro," Alex said to his son before giving him a hug on the field.
Golesh said he was grateful to his players, coaches, and fanbase who stuck around through a lot of adversity. He promised to build Auburn back one game at a time.
One game at a time 🦅
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 17, 2026
🗣️ @CoachGolesh pic.twitter.com/9C0frHfLRY
Alex Golesh has a simple message as Auburn rebuilds its identity
Golesh had one simple request during an emotional postgame interview on the field: "Just hang with us."
This win is great in a nutshell, but it doesn't prove that the rebuild is complete. Throughout the offseason, Golesh stressed that game-to-game results weren't the endgame of the process, but building a lasting identity was.
You build an identity by winning historic matchups as an underdog against a team you don't match up well against.
You build an identity by getting the offensive game plan back in order and emphasizing Byrum Brown's strengths as a scrambler.
Certainly, you keep star players like linebacker Xavier Atkins accountable and suspend him if you feel he is counterintuitive to the mission.
Golesh did all of these things. He got this win for a team he believes in. Golesh earned belief beyond just his son's tonight, even if things get tough ahead. LSU and Ole Miss are the next two games on the schedule.
He freakin' beat the Bulldogs, after all.
On a personal level, Golesh got the most important win of his career. He gave Bear an unforgettable experience he'll never forget. Truthfully, no one supporting the Orange and Blue will ever forget this win.
Golesh said he'd do something and did it. It's a refreshing change of pace from five years of the opposite.
Auburn isn't "close" anymore. The Tigers just beat No. 1 Georgia. Whatever bumps in the road are ahead can't take away the fact that the Golesh era has officially arrived, and it's glorious.
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