Had the Auburn Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2025 Iron Bowl, interim head coach DJ Durkin would've been promoted on a full-time basis, according to CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello's sources. The Tigers announced on Sunday that Alex Golesh would be the team's next head coach after a successful three-year stint coaching the USF Bulls to a 23-15 record, with a 9-3 record this season.
Marcello reported that Auburn "braced for its fork in the road: promote Durkin, or lure Golesh with an incentive-heavy deal worth $7.4 million -- roughly $500,000 more than Arkansas initially put on the table," and that "By Saturday afternoon, Auburn felt solid about either direction and began prepping a Sunday announcement: Durkin or Golesh."
"A win in the Iron Bowl might have sealed the full-time job for Durkin, sources said. Instead, the Tigers fell 27-20, their sixth straight loss to Alabama, prompting more late-night discussions at Auburn. Then, late in the night, a 10 a.m. team meeting was scheduled for Sunday," Marcello added.
No win, and no promotion for Durkin. Just as many fans probably prefer in hindsight.
Will DJ Durkin be retained as Auburn's defensive coordinator?
The question now becomes whether or not Golesh will retain Durkin as his defensive coordinator. That question is one that drove Jon Sumrall away from the opportunity entirely, but Golesh is an offensive-minded coach who needs someone to run the defense.
Per Auburn Undercover's Nathan King, "There is not yet word on whether Golesh intends to keep DJ Durkin in place as Auburn's defensive coordinator." That doesn't mean Durkin won't be retained, but his performance the past two seasons in buoying a historically inefficient offense, by program standards at least, could mean that other schools will be taking a look at the 47-year-old.
If Durkin leaves, at least there was a coach on AU's staff that someone else wanted. It's been a rough few years with many low-value employees walking through the door at the Woltosz Football Performance Center.