WATCH: Auburn University introduces Alex Golesh as new head football coach

Auburn University has officially welcomed new head football coach Alex Golesh to the Plains.

Today, after a special Tiger Walk and pep rally on campus, he was introduced to fans and reporters at a news conference hosted by Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen.

Golesh said how happy he was to be at Auburn and to get to work in preparation for next football season.

“It’s a great day for Auburn University and our football program,” Cohen said. He said that when the search for a new couach started four weeks ago, he set out to find someone with an edge — someone who was highly competitive, blue collar, hard nosed who could develop talent and build a program.

Cohen said the Auburn found that coach in Alex Golesh, who is coming from the head coaching position at South Florida, which he held from 2023-2025.

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The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after three seasons.

Golesh has signed a six-year contract that will pay him $6.75 million to start, rising to $8 million by the 2031 season. The contract includes bonuses for seasons with nine wins or more and post-season appearances.

Cohen said Golesh has a spirit that is not afraid. As proof, he said Golesh took the South Florida job knowing that the football program had only won four games in three seasons before his arrival. The Bulls were 9-3 in 2025 and had 23 wins during his time leading the team.

“Thank you for choosing me,” Golesh said. “I believe in Auburn and love it.”

Golesh said that he and his team are going to work day in and day out and approach every day looking for wins.

Watch the video to see more from the news conference.