D.J. Durkin emerges as target in Auburn defensive coordinator search

Auburn could have its new defensive coordinator soon.

The Auburn defensive coordinator search could be nearing an end with former Texas A&M assistant D.J. Durkin emerging as a target, Matt Zenitz reports. Durkin spent the past two seasons on the Aggies staff and also served as the linebackers coach in addition to his role as defensive coordinator.

The defensive coordinator position at Auburn opened in early January after Ron Roberts departed for a similar position at Florida. Roberts spent just one season with the Tigers under head coach Hugh Freeze. As a result of that move, Auburn announced the return of former Tigers football player and veteran coach Charles Kelly as a co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the 2024 season.

Auburn had a solid season on the defensive side of the football in 2023, finishing seventh in the SEC in scoring defense and sixth in opposing quarterback rating. However, the run defense struggled with consistency, allowing the fourth-most yards per carry in the conference.

Durkin, 45, has previous coaching experience in the SEC at Ole Miss (2020-21) and Florida (2010-14). Durkin was the head coach at Maryland for two seasons (2016-17). He was placed on administrative leave after the death of Terrapins offensive lineman Jordan McNair and was later fired amid backlash of a return to the program.

Durkin has prior successful stints as a defensive coordinator at Michigan (2015) and Florida. He also held positions at Bowling Green (2005-06) and Stanford (2007-09).

During his first season at Texas A&M, Durkin led a defense that ranked first nationally in fewest passing yards per per game (156.2) and held opponents to less than 150 yards passing in six games, including three with less than 100 yards. The Aggies ranked 17th nationally and fourth in the SEC in passing defensive efficiency (117.1). Texas A&M ranked 22nd in points allowed per game (20.7) during the 2022 season.

Texas A&M ranked 36th nationally in scoring defense (22.1) in 2023. The Aggies

held opponents to 108.77 yards rushing per game, which ranked 14th-fewest in

the FBS. They took a slight step backwards in pass defense, but still held

opponents to 207.4 yards per game through the air.

The post of offensive coordinator at Auburn was just filled by hiring Derrick Nix, a longtime Ole Miss assistant, last week. With new coordinators on both sides of the ball, Freeze takes over the Tigers for the second year.

When asked about his staff in December, prior to Auburn’s bowl game, Freeze

responded, “I don’t know that I ever feel like I took over a program and I got

every single hire in the whole building right the first time.” “Because you’re just

so crazy with recruiting,” he said. Thus, I believe that our chair constantly

evaluates us to see if there is anything we can do to better ourselves.”

At Jordan-Hare Stadium on August 31, Auburn takes on Alabama A&M to kick off the 2024 campaign.