Yet another head coach’s name got added to this year’s head coaches’ firing carousel. The Auburn Tigers’ 3-10 defeat by the Kentucky Wildcats prompted them to fire Hugh Freeze. Currently, they have appointed someone within the camp as the interim head coach. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin now leads the way. However, it appears that AD John Cohen may have bigger plans for Durkin, considering his past. 

On November 3, Cover 3 Podcast came up with an in-depth take on Durkin. Auburn’s defense has quietly been elite under Durkin. With 17.7 points allowed per game, their defense ranks #13 nationally, with Durkin credited for the sturdy defense. But Tom Fornelli had one question for fellow host Danny Kanell, “Don’t you worry about anything in his past that might disqualify him from the job?”

“No, no, no. I know exactly what you’re talking about. I thought that was a lot of blame put on his feet for something. Yes, he’s in charge of the program. I think he got way too much blame for what happened on his watch,” said Danell. “I don’t think he should be in prison for it, but I don’t think I want him running my football program if that’s the kind of stuff that might happen under his watch,” came Fornelli’s counterattack. 

Tragedy struck when the 19-year-old Jordan McNair collapsed during a May 29 team workout and was hospitalized with severe exhaustion. Two weeks later, he died from what ESPN reported as heatstroke, his body temperature soaring to 106°F. That’s when insiders, including players, confessed how, under Durkin, the program functions based on fear and intimidation.

This charge was then doubled down by Malik Jones, who transferred from Maryland to Toledo. He claimed that a simple smile sparked a heated exchange with Durkin. The coach, he claimed, took offense, pulled him into another room, and accused him of “bad-mouthing the program” before urging him to leave. And as he’s the interim coach of Auburn after its dark past, it certainly irks many people. 

As of now, for his new role as interim head coach at Auburn, Durkin will earn a base salary of $2.5 million in 2025. Now, that’s double what he earned in 2024 – $1.2 million. He has served as the head coach of Maryland from 2016 to 2018. That’s when the program earned itself a tag, having a “toxic coaching culture.” The claims got revved up when offensive lineman Jordan McNair died in June 2018 following a football workout.

However, at present, Kanell feels this will not affect Durkin’s sailing in Auburn. As the debate goes on, Cohen might be rooting for Durkin. 

Auburn AD’s vote of confidence for DJ Durkin

What was Freeze’s last statement after taking the loss against Kentucky? He said, “I wish I could ask for patience, but that’s not really something people want to give in this day and time.” Poor Freeze! Auburn could no longer afford any patience with him. With only three points to show, the Tigers hit one of their lowest scoring marks as the Kentucky loss deepened an already bleak campaign.

While Cohen temporarily passed on the baton to Durkin, he might as well consider giving him a permanent pass for the head coaching chair. When asked about whether Durkin fits into the mold, Cohen said, “Absolutely.” He refused to delve any further but said, “DJ is someone who has earned that opportunity. He will be part of a pool that we consider. I think DJ has done an incredible job with our defense. He’s someone with incredible energy; he’s someone the student-athletes relate to. He’s someone who has strategic vision.”

While the future is yet to unfold for him, he has kept things fiery in the plains. Signing day is fast approaching, and Durkin isn’t letting up. The Auburn coach said the Tigers will “recruit like crazy” for the 2026 class, noting that talks with commits and recruits have been overwhelmingly positive.

As per On3’s 2026 Industry Ranking football Team Recruiting Rankings, the Auburn Tigers stand at No.25 with 13 recruits locked in. The real recruiting battle might not be with rival schools, but with DJ Durkin’s reputation. Can Auburn retain its current recruits and persuade new ones to join?