Auburn’s wild coaching search finally hits the finish line. The Tigers made a bold move by hiring Alex Golesh, the offensive mastermind who turned South Florida from a struggling program into a winner with a 9-3 season in 2025. What makes Golesh’s story even more inspiring is his unique background.

Born in Moscow, Russia, he immigrated to the U.S. as a young child.

His Russian-American roots shaped his perspective and work ethic, blending diverse experiences into his coaching style that now fuels Auburn’s hope for a turnaround.

Who is Alex Golesh? Background and coaching journey

Alex Golesh embodies the classic coach story of earning everything without having anything handed to him. Born in Moscow in 1984, he came to the U.S. as a child, bouncing between Brooklyn, Dublin, and Ohio. He essentially grew up chasing football as his way to belong. Golesh didn’t have the big-time playing pedigree, so he went straight into the grind. He began his education at Westerville Central High School in Ohio. He then jumped into Ohio State as a student assistant in 2004.

From there, it was classic ladder-climb: grad assistant stops at Northern Illinois and Oklahoma State. His first real splash came at Toledo as RBs coach and recruiting coordinator, where he helped land back-to-back No. 1 recruiting classes in the MAC. He followed Tim Beckman to Illinois, assuming various roles, including tight ends, recruiting, running backs, and special teams. The turning point was Iowa State under Matt Campbell.

When he arrived, Cyclone tight ends had caught five passes the year before; by 2019, they hauled in 75, with Charlie Kolar turning into an All-American and Mackey semifinalist. Then came the offensive fireworks: co-OC at UCF in 2020, helping lead an offense that ranked near the top nationally, and OC at Tennessee. The Vols shattered school records in points, yards, and efficiency in 2021. South Florida finally gave him the whistle in 2022, and he immediately delivered back-to-back 7–6 seasons.

Alex Golesh’s ethnicity and birth nationality

Alex Golesh was born amid the final days of the Soviet Union. His family’s escape from the collapsing Soviet regime is a story of bravery and hope. In 1991, with tanks on Moscow streets and political chaos swirling, Golesh’s parents made the difficult decision to flee with their two young sons, carrying only $400 and a few bags, bound for New York City. They knew nothing of English but were fueled by the promise of a better life. Landing at JFK Airport, Golesh’s aunt greeted them with simple treats like bananas.

“I was young, but I’m sure most people would’ve wondered, ‘We have all of 400 bucks … we’re in New York City … so what are we actually going to do?’ ” Golesh said. Growing up in a cramped Brooklyn apartment above a bodega, Golesh found comfort and connection in ESL classes filled with other Russian kids. Football entered the picture the summer his family moved to Dublin, Ohio. At an overnight camp, he met a coach who let him work as a ballboy, sparking a passion for the game that set his future in motion. From there, Golesh’s story becomes a quintessential tale of immigrant success.

Alex Golesh’s wife and kids

Behind every great coach is a strong support system. For Alex Golesh, that’s his wife, Alexis. She is a dietitian with a master’s in healthcare management. Alexis manages her consulting work in Arkansas while raising their two kids, Corbin and Barrett. Their story started like a classic love tale in college football circles. They met in 2008 when Alex was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State. When the coaching bug bit and Alex accepted a position in Toledo, Alexis didn’t hesitate to leave a stable job and follow him on the adventure.

That loyalty has continued through moves to Illinois, Iowa State, UCF, Tennessee, and now South Florida. She stayed behind in Knoxville to let the kids finish school before joining Alex and fully embracing the Tampa life. Alexis’ is also a cheerleader for the players, a confidante for staff families, and a vital part of recruiting success. Alex himself credits Alexis for keeping the family grounded and the whole operation moving smoothly.

“I’ve dragged her all over the country,” Alex said. “She’s the most unselfish person I’ve ever met. Because she says, ‘Let’s go. I’ve got your back.’ And we’re rolling. She’s there for me. She’s there for our kids. So, I have moments when I see her and think, ‘Man, I’m so grateful for having a support system like that.”’