SEC Program Makes $2.5 Million Coaching Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Feb 10, 2025 7:31 PM ET

On Monday, an SEC program was willing to pay one of its assistant coaches a $2.5 million extension.

The Auburn Tigers were willing to pay the big bucks to defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, per Montgomery Advisor's Adam Cole. Durkin's salary was increased by $1.3 million with the extension.

Durkin was a valuable asset for Auburn this season, and the program showed that with the extension. Durkin is now the second-highest-paid assistant in college football behind Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Knowles was at Ohio State from 2022-24 and makes $3.1 million at Penn State. Knowles left Ohio State shortly after helping the program win a national title.

News: #Auburn football defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has signed a contract extension and received a raise that pushes his base salary to $2.5 million for 2025, up $1.3 million from last season.https://t.co/hOYEglKIkk
— Adam Cole (@colereporter) February 10, 2025

Durkin has had plenty of stops as a college assistant. Previous stints include Texas A&M (2022-23), Ole Miss (2020-21), Maryland (2016-18) and Michigan (2015).

Durkin joined Freeze's staff in January of 2024 after Florida hired Ron Roberts for its defensive coordinator position.

Under Durkin, Auburn's defense was eighth in points allowed (21.3), ninth in passing yards allowed (213) and sixth in rushing yards allowed (117.8) per game in the SEC.

The extension adds another year to Durkin's previous contract. The original contract for Durkin with Auburn had him with the program from 2024-26.

Durkin's defense lost talent via the portal, including defensive back Antonio Kite, cornerback Deionte Scott, defensive lineman Darron Reed, linebacker Laquan Robinson, defensive lineman TJ Lindsey and safety Caleb Wooden.

There have been additions from the portal on the defensive side, too. Auburn added linebacker Xavier Atkins (LSU), defensive lineman Chris Murray (Sam Houston), defensive lineman Dallas Walker IV (Western Kentucky), safety Taye Seymore (Georgia Tech) and corner Raion Strader (Miami-Ohio).

Auburn missed the postseason after winning five games this season under head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers went to the Music City Bowl after Freeze won six games in 2023.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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