Auburn has officially found its next head coach, and it is USF head coach Alex Golesh, who has done really well with the Bulls during his tenure. Golesh was able to take a Bulls team that struggled to win consistently in the American Athletic Association and make them 25-15 in just three seasons.
Now that the Tigers have found their next head coach, his first job is to build his staff around him. It is typical for a head coach to bring coaches from his previous staff with him, and Golesh is doing exactly that, including one face that Auburn fans are very familiar with.
Former quarterback and wide receiver Kobi Burns will make his return to Auburn as a part of Golesh's staff, and fans will be happy to see the familiar face on the sidelines again.
Former Auburn QB/WR Kodi Burns will return to Auburn on Alex Golesh's staff
Former Auburn QB/WR and assistant coach Kodi Burns is expected to return to the program as an assistant on Alex Golesh's staff, source tells @Auburn247.
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) November 30, 2025
Burns worked under Golesh at both USF and Tennessee https://t.co/XCkdiKeNQv pic.twitter.com/daOScA1xPz
Kobi Burns has a long history with Auburn, as it all started when he played for the Tigers from 2007 to 2010 and was a part of the 2010 BCS National Championship team. Burns was both a quarterback and a wide receiver for the Tigers when he was needed and was an integral part of the Auburn offense.
After graduating from Auburn, Burns began his coaching career at Arkansas State under his former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. When Malzahn made the move back to Auburn, he brought Burns with him in 2013 and he helped the Tigers get back to the Championship game. After a few seasons away coaching at Samford and Middle Tennessee, Burns returned to Auburn from 2016 to 2020.
When Malzahn was fired in 2020, Burns was not retained by Brian Harsin. Burns took his talents to the NFL and was the wide receivers coach with the New Orleans Saints from 2022 to 2024 before returning to college.
Between his time at Auburn and going to the NFL, Burns worked under Golesh at Tennessee in 2021 when he was the offensive coordinator, and Golesh was the receivers coach. Then, after his time with the Saint, Burns teamed up with Golesh again at USF as the receivers coach again, and this time as the co-offensive coordinator.
Now Burns will be back with Auburn, this time with Golesh, and fans will be happy to see such a well-known player and coach back with the Tigers.