Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has consistently worked under offensive-minded head coaches—first Hugh Freeze and now Alex Golesh. This dynamic has effectively made him the head coach of the defense. His salary matches what a head coach would have earned in many past eras, and his recruiting efforts have been highly successful in pulling elite talent from the DMV area, as well as from across Maryland and Virginia. The latest example is four-star EDGE commit Rion Jackson from Annapolis, whom Durkin recruited.
Eventually, it’s reasonable to think a program in that region might pursue Durkin for a head coaching role. The Maryland Terrapins might hesitate, given the controversy surrounding Durkin during his previous tenure there. However, a football-centric school like Liberty Flames which has overlooked past scandals could be interested. Although Jamey Chadwell has posted a 25-13 record at Liberty, the Flames went 4-8 last season and can’t afford many more losing years. With James Franklin now coaching Virginia Tech, recruiting in the region will only get tougher. Durkin has already proven himself in that arena.
If not Liberty, some other school along the Eastern Seaboard will likely see head-coaching potential in Durkin. Given his prior success at Florida, the Florida State Seminoles might consider him as either a counterpart to Mike Norvell or even his replacement. Alternatively, Durkin could return to Florida as a well-paid defensive coordinator if the Gators have second thoughts about Brad White.
Either way, Durkin has options beyond Auburn. The Tigers could face life without him for the first time since Ron Roberts ran the defense in 2023.
Todd Orlando positioning himself as Auburn’s next defensive coordinator
It appears that Golesh and his former defensive coordinator at USF, Todd Orlando, understand how the coaching business works. Orlando is now the defensive coordinator at South Alabama, where he’s building relationships in Alabama and Mississippi connections that would be valuable if he rejoins Golesh, Joel Gordon, and their staff.
Orlando, a Pittsburgh native who played at Wisconsin, has coached across the country, serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Houston, Texas, and USC. That’s major-market, high-profile experience. Now he’s gaining familiarity in the Yellowhammer State.
Connecting the dots isn’t difficult. Given Golesh’s sizable salary, it’s unlikely Auburn will keep Durkin as the fifth-highest-paid coordinator for long trailing only Bryant Haines (Indiana), Jason Beck (Michigan), Blake Baker (LSU), and Matt Patricia (Ohio State). Auburn may not have the kind of season that justifies that expense.
Orlando would be a more affordable option, and his current stint at South Alabama already seems like a strategic move to become a candidate in East Central Alabama. We’ll see if Orlando and Auburn are circling each other next offseason.
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