Alex Golesh has been tabbed as Auburn Football’s 33rd head coach, athletic director John Cohen announced on Sunday.
Golesh is regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the game and will arrive on the Plains following a rapid 3-year rebuild at the University of South Florida (USF), where he recorded 23 wins over the last three seasons, including a 9-3 mark in 2025. The Bulls had won four games over three seasons prior to Golesh’s arrival, including a 1-11 campaign in 2022.
“We are thrilled to announce Alex Golesh as the 33rd head coach of Auburn Football,” 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 produced high-scoring offenses, averaging more than 35 points per game and 450 yards per game during his time with the Bulls.
This season, the USF offense ranks No. 2 nationally in total offense (501.7), No. 5 in scoring (43) and has posted 500-plus yards in eight of its last nine regular-season games. South Florida has recorded the top two passing seasons in program history with Golesh at the helm in 2023 and 2025, while quarterback Byrum Brown became just the 12th 3,000-yard passer/1,000-yard rusher in FBS history this year.
Prior to his time in South Florida, Golesh spent two seasons as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Tennessee from 2021-22. He helped orchestrate one of the most dramatic offensive turnarounds in the nation, as the Volunteers climbed from No. 108 nationally in total offense before his arrival to No. 7 in 2021 and No. 1 in 2022.
The Volunteers broke eight single-season records with Golesh at the helm of the offense: points (511), total yards (6,174), touchdowns (67), PATs made (67), total first downs (316), rushing first downs (164), fewest interceptions (three) and passing efficiency (167.10).
Prior to his arrival in Knoxville, Golesh made stops at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as co-offensive coordinator, where his offense ranked second nationally in total offense and produced a Biletnikoff Award finalist.
He served as tight ends coach at Iowa State from 2016-19, where his tight end groups produced multiple all-conference selections, including first-team All-American and Mackey Award semifinalist Charlie Kolar.
He also had a four year-stint at Illinois, where he helped the Fighting Illini climb from two wins to back-to-back bowl appearances while serving as tight ends coach, running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, and special teams coordinator. He also recorded a stops Toledo from 2009-11, and was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State and Northern Illinois.
Golesh began his coaching career as a student assistant at Ohio State from 2004-05, where he worked with the defensive staff during the Buckeyes’ 2005 Big Ten championship.
“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.” TG
