When Alex Golesh officially took over as Auburn’s head football coach on the final day of November, there was no easing into the job. The early signing period was only days away, and the transfer portal was set to open just weeks later, forcing Golesh to jump straight into full recruiting mode.
From day one, his challenge was twofold. He needed to convince key contributors already on the roster to stay while also reshaping the program through high school recruits, junior college players, and portal additions. While Golesh made it clear he wanted to keep every player who truly wanted to be at Auburn, several high-profile names ultimately chose to move on, including Cam Coleman, Deuce Knight, Jay Crawford, and Malik Blocton.
Golesh acknowledged that the transition created uncertainty for many players. Some quickly committed to the new direction, while others understandably needed time to process the changes. He explained that a new coaching staff can completely upend a player’s outlook, forcing tough decisions about whether to stay or explore other options. At times, Golesh admitted, clarity was essential so the staff could pivot and find replacements if needed.
The first-year head coach also highlighted just how difficult it is to recruit your own roster while simultaneously pursuing new talent. Players are weighing visits elsewhere, conversations are happening nonstop, and everything unfolds at once. Golesh noted that while every program deals with this reality, the uncertainty is amplified during a coach’s first year, when retention can feel especially fragile.
Despite the chaos, Auburn came out of the whirlwind in strong position. The Tigers added roughly 60 new players through a combination of freshmen signees and transfer portal additions. Their transfer class finished ranked No. 13 nationally by 247Sports, setting Auburn up with renewed depth and momentum as spring practices approach.