Auburn interim coach DJ Durkin, Athletic Director John Cohen address future of football program
One day after Auburn fired head football coach Hugh Freeze, interim coach DJ Durkin and Athletic Director John Cohen are speaking to reporters about what’s next for the Tigers.
Freeze was fired during his third season on The Plains. He was 4-5 overall this year and 1-5 in the SEC. The final straw was a 10-3 nighttime loss at home to Kentucky.
READ: Hugh Freeze Record at Auburn, by the numbers
READ: Hugh Freeze issues statement on his firing
Cohen says he doesn’t regret not making the decision to fire Freeze sooner. He said he wanted to make sure it was the right decision, and after looking at notes, film and talking with staff, he made up his mind late yesterday morning.
Despite the overall struggles at Auburn, the defense has been a bright spot. Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin is now getting the chance to lead the team, at least temporarily.
READ: Who is Auburn interim coach DJ Durkin?
“Our focus is 100% on Vanderbilt,” Durkin said about the upcoming road game against the Commodores. “We’re trying to go 1-0. We’re trying to go 1-0 this week and that will take all of our focus. It will take all of us collectively to have our mind fully on that and that’s certainly where mine is. I do not take the responsibility lightly that these players are counting on myself and our coaching staff to give them a plan that they can have success with come Saturday that is the focus all the way.”
Cohen said he owes it to the fans to give the Tigers every chance at success.
“Now it’s time for us to give back, and that’s one of the many reasons we had to make this decision. It’s time for this football program to give back to this fanbase, they deserve it and I’m going to spent every minute of every day that I’m awake trying to give our fans exactly what they deserve.”
Cohen said Durkin is someone they are giving consideration to for the permanent head coaching role.
Durkin said Derrick Nix will the sole play caller on offense while he will continue to make the calls on defense.
Cohen said he’s not yet sure if he will use a search firm to find a new coach. He said he is the committee that will choose a new coach, which he hopes to announce as close to the end of the last game of the season as possible.
Auburn’s final regular season game is the Iron Bowl, when Alabama comes to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn still has a small chance at making a bowl game, depending on the outcome of its games against Vanderbilt, Mercer and Alabama.
