DJ Durkin got an eyebrow-raising seven-figure extension from Auburn football to remain the Tigers' defensive coordinator. It was a massive investment from AU into Hugh Freeze's defensive ace from a season ago.
We know that Ohio State's aggressive offer to poach Durkin led to the extension. Rivals' Brian Stultz reported that Tuesday.
CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno has a far more cynical explanation: Auburn is hedging a poor performance from Hugh Freeze's offense.
"There is hope moving into Year 3 under Hugh Freeze with Jackson Arnold coming over from Oklahoma as part of a QB room overhaul. Still, Freeze is facing a critical year. He's yet to deliver a winning season and the offense has fallen short. Without improvement, it'll be Durkin's unit that will again be asked to carry the extra slack as the program eyes SEC and playoff goals," Salerno wrote.
That doomsday scenario might not be so doomsday for Durkin. If Freeze struggles and loses the fanbase and donor base's support, Durkin would be a natural interim replacement. Depending on when the regime would pull the rug on Freeze, it's possible Durkin would have a live-time tryout with that tag.
The more likely scenario, though, considering AD John Cohen's pledge of loyalty to Freeze, would be the Tigers having a strong 2025 season and Durkin getting outside consideration. Durkin has SEC and Big Ten coaching experience and wouldn't have the highest price tag on the open market.
Auburn is paying him like a guy who should stay, but change has defined the 21st century on the Plains. At least when it comes to football coaching staffs.