Top three issues new Auburn HC Alex Golesh must address immediately

Retain the roster

This should be no secret: Auburn has plenty of talent on its roster, thanks to back-to-back top-10 signing classes. Despite the Tigers' 5-7 record, they were competitive all season, with six of their losses decided by seven points or fewer. The Tigers defense was the highlight of the year, with the unit allowing 20.67 points per game and giving up more than 24 points only twice.

The primary concern was the lack of offensive production, an issue that came to a head in a 10-3 home loss to Kentucky. Following the dismissal of Hugh Freeze, the Tigers offense began to pick things up, combining for 120 points in their final three games after scoring 201 points across their first nine.

The offense's late resurgence, paired with the defense's steady play, suggests that Auburn, under Golesh's offensive-minded leadership, may have all the pieces necessary to not only win consistently but to potentially contend for a College Football Playoff spot. 

On the defensive side, Golesh has knocked over the first domino by retaining defensive coordinator DJ Durkin to help in this process.

Determine the starting quarterback

The Tigers may have a tricky decision to make next season when deciding who their signal-caller will be. Ashton Daniels and Deuce Knight have both showcased potential when given the opportunity. In four games, Daniels passed for 797 yards and three touchdowns and added 280 yards and two scores on the ground.

Knight saw limited action this season, appearing in two contests, but he capitalized when given the chance. He accounted for 401 yards and six total touchdowns in a 62-17 win over Mercer.

Things could get even more interesting if Golesh decides to bring in his own guy. Byrum Brown, Golesh's quarterback at USF, has one year of eligibility left; a potential reunion should not be ruled out. 

Reload the offensive line 

The Tigers will need to rebuild most of their offensive line, as the majority of their starters from this season will be out of eligibility. Connor Lew and Xavier Chaplin are the only two opening day starters who can return in 2025. Although Lew has eligibility remaining, he has drawn interest as a prospect for this year's NFL Draft and could potentially declare.

This will need to be a particular area of emphasis for Golesh heading into next season, as the Tigers struggled to protect the quarterback in 2025, allowing 42 sacks.

With Golesh at the helm, Auburn now has a clearer direction for where the program is headed. The Tigers are not a finished product just yet, but the pieces are in place for meaningful progress.