Auburn Lands New Head Coach in USF’s Alex Golesh

December 1, 2025 Michael Brauner Auburn, Auburn, Featured News
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Two Auburn Tigers flags cross in the end zone after a touchdown during the TransPerfect Music City Bowl between the Auburn Tigers and Maryland Terrapins, December 30, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

The Auburn Tigers have themselves a new coach.

Less than 12 hours after a heartbreaking Iron Bowl defeat to the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn has announced its hiring of University of South Florida now former head coach Alex Golesh as the new man in charge of their program following the end of the Hugh Freeze era.

Golesh brought a South Florida program who had won just a combined four games in the three seasons prior to his arrival and made it one of the most prominent jobs outside the Power 4 including a 9-3 record this past season.

His Bulls teams gave Alabama all it could handle two years in a row both at home and on the road in Bryant-Denny Stadium before earning a signature win this year against the Florida Gators.

“We are thrilled to announce Alex Golesh as the 33rd head coach of Auburn Football,” director of athletics John Cohen said.

“He has produced wins and record-setting results throughout his entire career, including over the last three seasons at USF. Alex is known nationally for his player development prowess, ability to shape creative and explosive offenses, and his relentless approach to building winning programs. I was also struck by his coaching experience on both sides of the ball. In our conversations, he showed the determination and edge that this program demands of its head coach. I want to welcome Alex, his wife Alexis and children Corbin and Barrett to the Auburn Family.”

Golesh has consistently led an elite and high-flying brand of offense, both in Tampa and during his time before that as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee under Josh Heupel from 2021-2022, guiding a unit in 2022 which was the best offense in the nation.

“I want to thank President Roberts and John Cohen for the opportunity to lead the Auburn program,” Golesh said.

“Auburn Football is one of the proudest, most tradition-rich programs in all of college football and my family and I could not be more excited to join the Auburn Family. This will be a player-driven program, and no one will outwork our staff. Auburn has won, can win and will win championships. Let’s get to work.”

Though many expected Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall to wind up at Auburn, Sumrall instead appears to be headed to Florida to take over as the Gators next head coach.

An absolutely wild coaching carousel hiring cycle is coming to an end, and the Tigers have their man.

It may have caught some by surprise, but Auburn fans should be extremely pleased with the hire.