5 things Auburn coach Alex Golesh said at his first SEC Media Days
Reading time: 4 minutes
Auburn coach Alex Golesh took the podium Tuesday for his first SEC Media Day appearance as a head coach.
Golesh made his return to Tampa, where he previously served as head coach at South Florida. His morning including joining the SEC Network set along with taking questions from different SEC media members at the main podium.
Here are five key takeaways from Golesh’s SEC Media Days debut.
Identity + standards over goals
“I don’t set goals… I set standards.”
That was one of the most notable quotes from the Golesh’s day. He was often asked about what would count as a success in his first season on The Plains but Golesh didn’t want to talk about win totals.
One word that was a theme in the day was “identity.” That’s where Golesh believes he can measure success in year one.
“The identity of who are, the standards you live by every day as a football program… In three to four years, a physical, violent football team that’s incredibly detailed and wins in the margins. I would hope that’s what you see in year one to be honest with you.”
Alex Golesh
Golesh said he wants to leave year one with an identity of who they are as a football program. Once that standard is set, Golesh said the wins will take care of themselves.
Byrum Brown ready for SEC competition
A new face will be leading the Auburn offense this season.
South Florida transfer quarterback Byrum Brown has one of the best statistical resumes in all of college football. He racked up nearly 10,000 yards of offense and 92 total touchdowns in three seasons with the Bulls.
But the question Golesh was asked the most is about how that experience will translate to the SEC.
“If you can play, you can play. Some of his best moments have come against the best competition… He’s played in some big, big games in the American Conference as well. He’ll be the one to say ‘I can’t wait to show the country who I am on the biggest stage in college football.’”
Alex Golesh on Byrum Brown
Golesh also called Brown one of the best quarterbacks in the country already, proving that over the last three years.
‘Talented enough to win every single game’
While Auburn has not had much success on the scoreboard, they have still brought in highly-touted recruiting classes recently. They ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2024 and 2025.
Even with the coaching change, Auburn ranked No. 21 in 247 Sports Class of 2026 rankings and Golesh helped secure a top 10 transfer class.
Those numbers are why Golesh believes his team is just as talented as any other team in the SEC.
“That’s why you want to coach in this league, that’s why you want to play in this league.”
Alex Golesh
Golesh promises run-heavy offense
The quote that may have turned the most heads on day two of SEC Media Days was Golesh speaking about his offense.
“We’re gonna run the piss out of the ball.”
Alex Golesh at SEC Media Days
Golesh has been known for some high-powered offenses both at South Florida and as a offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Over the last five seasons, Golesh’s offenses have rushed for 200 yards per game—roughly 25 yards more per game than Auburn has during that span.
A little bit of luck can go a long way
Just last week, CBS Sports called Auburn one of the unluckiest teams of the 2025 college football season. It may not be a true metric but there were certainly times Auburn fans would agree with that title.
The Tigers lost six games by one possession last season, something many experts pointed to as a factor in the firing of Hugh Freeze.
Golesh is hoping to turn that fortune around in year one.
“I keep getting good luck messages… like you need luck to get through this.”
Alex Golesh
We will see just how much luck is on Auburn’s side this year as they kick off the Golesh era in Atlanta against Baylor on Sep. 5.
