Alex Golesh effectively ended the Xavier Atkins conversation this week, just days after it was announced that the Auburn linebacker was off the team.
Ahead of a matchup with Atkins' old team, LSU, Golesh said he was focused on Auburn's next game and wished Atkins well.
"I wish X nothing but the best as we move forward. I’m like uber, uber-focused on our team and LSU at this point," Golesh said during media availability.
Classy move from Golesh. It was the mirror response to Atkins' message to his former team, which also took the high road.
"I have nothing but respect (for) Auburn University and will continue to support my teammates this season. My focus is on my health, my family, and on finishing up the academic semester strong, and I’ll be entering the transfer portal at the appropriate time," Atkins tweeted on Monday night after the news broke.
LSU has lost twice this season but still enters the contest as one of the most dangerous teams in the country. After all, Ole Miss and Kentucky are among the cream of the crop thus far in a parity-filled SEC through the halfway point of the season.
The focus on a game opponent is excellent. Vital, even.
Still, it cannot be glossed over how well the Atkins issue was handled by Golesh.
Alex Golesh proving he gets it at Auburn with handling of Xavier Atkins
Golesh understands that while Atkins is supremely talented, the culture is more important than anything else to get this program back to where it needs to be. Clearly, there is enough talent on this team to beat anyone in the country after the Georgia upset.
Golesh explained to On3's Chris Low that he is at Auburn to restore the brand, which sometimes means cutting bait with great players to get a stronger collective buy-in.
"We know what Auburn is. That’s why I’m here, and now we’re building back that brand," Golesh said.
As outside corner Rayshawn Pleasant said about the change in attitude before beating the Bulldogs, "Culture overrides scheme and talent. It was about us believing in that."
What Golesh is doing can be felt.
Golesh has now proven capable of making the big decisions and getting results. He's proven he can keep an issue in-house. Most importantly, he's proven he can coach his program to a victory over Kirby Smart and UGA. If you can beat the Dawgs in Athens, you can beat anyone, anywhere.
Golesh gets it.
It was easy to see in the offseason, but there hasn't been tangible proof on the field of a coach getting it at Auburn like this in nearly a decade.
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