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Hugh Freeze was reportedly fired on Sunday, meaning a leadership change in the Auburn football program will come midseason. The next full time head coach will be determined later, but for now, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin is taking over as the Tigers’ interim head coach. He’s in his second season on the Plains and has Power Four head coaching experience. With three games remaining this season, Auburn will hope he can lead the team to a positive finish. Here are three things to know about Durkin. Last head coaching stint ended in scandal Durkin has spent most of his coaching career as a defensive coordinator, but he was Maryland’s head coach from 2016-2018. He only coached two full seasons, compiling a 10-15 record during 2016 and 2017. He was placed on administrative leave in August 2018 after an investigation was launched following the death of Maryland player Jordan McNair. McNair was hospitalized after showing symptoms of heat stroke following a workout in May 2018 and died weeks later. The investigation came after ESPN reported allegations of a toxic culture around the program. The report specifically mentioned allegations of humiliation, intimidation, verbal abuse and unhealthy eating habits within the program. On Oct. 30, 2018, the USM Board of Regents announced its recommendation to reinstate Durkin following the investigation, but backlash from players, politicians and others led to Durkin being fired the next day. Success in Auburn Auburn’s defense has been in the top third in the country in both of Durkin’s seasons on the Plains. This year, it has kept the Tigers in every game, ranking third in the SEC in rushing yards allowed per game, fourth in total yards allowed per game and fourth in points allowed per game. Last season, Auburn ranked sixth in rush defense, ninth in total defense and eighth in points per game allowed. Over the past two seasons, the defense has put up those numbers with a core of young players, with multiple freshmen starting in 2024 and others being part of the rotation in 2025. Durkin is also the linebackers coach, a group that has excelled this year. Xavier Atkins, who hardly played at LSU in 2024 before transferring, is tied for the SEC lead in tackles (69) and tackles for loss (14). Robert Woodyard Jr. has also shown noticeable progression this season, after spending the three prior seasons as a rotational piece in the linebacker room. Been an interim before This isn’t the first time Durkin has been an interim head coach. When Will Muschamp stepped down at Florida in 2014, Durkin took over for the Gators’ bowl game. With that change coming at the end of the season, his task at Auburn is slightly different. This time around, Durkin has just a few days to get things in order before Auburn has to play a game. He doesn’t get multiple weeks of bowl practice like at Florida, and he’ll have to lead Auburn for three games, rather than just one. Durkin won his one game as Florida’s interim head coach, beating East Carolina 28-20 in the Birmingham Bowl. Auburn’s remaining games this season come against Vanderbilt, Mercer and Alabama. Two of those are against ranked teams, with Vanderbilt up first on the road.
