Why DJ Durkin Could STAY at Auburn | John Cohen Reveals Hiring Priorities | Auburn Football Podcast

Auburn football is at a crossroads. After another turbulent season and Hugh Freeze’s exit, athletic director John Cohen faces the biggest decision of his tenure — hiring Auburn’s next head coach. But one question looms larger than any other: will DJ Durkin stay on the Plains? In this episode of The Auburn Express, Mike G. and ESPN’s Taylor Davis dive deep into DJ Durkin’s future and Auburn’s coaching search, reacting to Cohen’s revealing comments about the qualities Auburn wants in its next leader. Cohen says fans would be “shocked” at some of the national names interested in the job, but it’s Durkin who has everyone talking after a strong showing as interim head coach. Taylor breaks down how potential hires like John Summerall, Kenny Dillingham, and Eli Drinkwitz could impact Durkin’s chances to remain as defensive coordinator — or even get promoted. Meanwhile, Mike points out that Durkin’s decision could determine whether Auburn keeps its defensive stars like Cam Coleman and Xavier Atkins. This episode also covers what Auburn’s top players are saying behind the scenes, how the administration is balancing NIL and roster retention, and what Cohen’s “edge” comment reveals about Auburn’s future identity. 0:00 – Auburn’s coaching dilemma 2:00 – DJ Durkin’s role in the search 5:00 – Which hires could keep Durkin? 8:00 – John Cohen’s “edge” factor 12:00 – Auburn’s national perception 16:00 – Recruiting and player buy-in 20:00 – What’s next for Auburn Football ⏱️ Chapters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices