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Auburn's Head Football Coach

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""Close games are for losers... If you try to legitimize a loss or you try to find [a] silver lining in a loss, you're going to accept failure your whole life"

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     - Coach Alex Golesh

       2025

Head Coach Hugh Freeze - A journey of Resilience and Redemption

Alex Golesh (born June 24, 1984) is a Russian-American football coach who became the head coach at Auburn University in November 2025. Known for creating high-tempo, elite offenses, he previously served as head coach at South Florida (2023–2025) and offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Golesh is a Dublin, Ohio native and 2006 Ohio State graduate. 


Key Coaching Credentials & Career Highlights
Head Coach, Auburn (2025–Present): Hired on November 30, 2025, to lead the Tigers.

 

Head Coach, South Florida (2023–2025): Transformed a 1-11 program into a contender, achieving a 23-15 record over three seasons.

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Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee (2021–2022): Orchestrated top-10 scoring offenses and coached QB Hendon Hooker.

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Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends, UCF (2020): Worked under Josh Heupel.
Assistant Coach Positions: Held roles at Iowa State (2016–2019), Illinois (2012–2015), Toledo (2009–2011), Oklahoma State (2008), and Northern Illinois (2006–2007). 
Personal Background

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Origin: Born in Moscow, Russia, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1991, settling in Brooklyn before moving to Ohio.

 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio State University (2006).
Family: Married to Alexis, with two children, Corbin and Barrett. 
Accolades

 

Recognized on ESPN’s "30 Coaches Who Will Define the Next Decade" (2024).
Named to CBS Sports’ “Top 15 Coaches Under 40” (2023).
AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute (2019). 

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