D.J. Durkin, former Michigan defensive coordinator, has been appointed interim head coach at Auburn following the firing of Hugh Freeze, with Auburn aiming to improve their performance and secure bowl eligibility under his leadership.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze confirmed the hiring of D.J. Durkin as the Tigers’ next defensive coordinator, citing Durkin's experience, passion, and fit with the team's culture. Durkin, who previously coached at Texas A&M and Maryland, was chosen to fill the void left by Ron Roberts. Freeze praised Durkin's coaching style and verbiage, expressing excitement about the impact he will bring to the team's defense.
Despite a controversial past at Maryland, DJ Durkin has been hired as Auburn's new defensive coordinator, marking his fifth SEC coaching position in the past decade. The article questions Durkin's track record as a defensive leader, citing his teams' defensive rankings and controversial coaching methods. The author expresses bewilderment at Durkin's continued employment in high-profile coaching roles despite his history, raising concerns about the decision to hire him and the values it reflects in college athletics.
Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic discussed the reported hiring of DJ Durkin as Auburn's new defensive coordinator, expressing concerns about his defensive identity and coaching style. While acknowledging Durkin's recruiting prowess and experience, they highlighted his history of changing defensive philosophies at previous SEC stops and questioned how his style would fit at Auburn. Cubelic specifically criticized Durkin's recent defensive play-calling, expressing doubts about its effectiveness in the SEC.
Boardman High School graduate D.J. Durkin is set to become the defensive coordinator at Auburn in the SEC, following his tenure at Texas A&M and previous coaching roles at Ole Miss, Florida, and Michigan. Durkin, a former head coach at Maryland, faced controversy during his time there but has a strong coaching background, including successful stints at various college football programs.
Auburn is set to hire DJ Durkin as its next defensive coordinator, signing him to a three-year deal to fill the void left by Ron Roberts. Durkin, a veteran SEC assistant, will be tasked with improving the Tigers' defense, which finished eighth in the SEC last season. This will be Durkin's fourth stop as a defensive coordinator in the SEC, having previously served at Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Florida. His hiring comes after being fired from Maryland in 2020 amid controversy surrounding the football program.
Auburn is set to hire former Texas A&M defensive coordinator DJ Durkin as co-defensive coordinator, joining Charles Kelly. Durkin brings over 20 years of college coaching experience, including a stint as head coach at Maryland. His tenure at Maryland ended in controversy following the death of a player, but he has also found success on the recruiting trail. With Durkin's addition, Auburn has replaced two departing defensive coaches and solidified its coaching staff.