Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers may have found their second co-defensive coordinator.
Former Texas A&M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is set to fill the void left by Ron Roberts, who left as Auburn’s defensive coordinator for a spot on Florida’s defensive staff on Jan. 8. He’ll reportedly join forces with Charles Kelly, who was hired as the Tigers’ co-defensive coordinator on Jan. 12.
Durkin, who has been in the college coaching ranks for more than 20 years, is set to come to Auburn after spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons in College Station as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator and linebackers’ coach.
In Durkin’s first season at Texas A&M, the Aggies’ defense led the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per game with a season average of just 156.2. The Texas A&M defense also ranked 17th in the country and fourth in the SEC in passing defense efficiency, while also ranking No. 22 in the country after allowing 20.7 points per game.
Prior to his time at Texas A&M, Durkin spent two seasons under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Durkin was also an assistant at Florida in 2010-14, serving as the Gators’ linebackers and special teams coach (2010-12) and defensive coordinator (2013-14). During him time as Florida’s defensive coordinator, Durkin led the Gators to back-to-back top-15 rankings in total defense.
The reported addition of Durkin means Auburn’s defensive coordinator will also come with head coaching experience as Durkin was previously at the helm of the Maryland program for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. However, Durkin’s time as head coach ended in controversy following the death of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair.
McNair collapsed during a workout, was hospitalized with heat stroke and died two weeks later. After initially being suspended following McNair’s death, Durkin was reinstated, only to be relieved after public outcry one day later.
Months after Durkin’s firing from Maryland, he resurfaced during a brief stint at Alabama, where he served in a consultant-like role to help the Crimson Tide prepare for its Orange Bowl national semifinal appearance.
Prior to him being let go at Maryland, Durkin compiled a 10-15 record with the Terrapins, while also finding success on the recruiting trail. During Durkin’s time in College Park, he and the Terps secured back-to-back top 30 recruiting classes for the first time in program history.
According to 247 Sports, Durkin was the primary recruiter for 5-star offensive tackle DJ Humphries and 5-star Jonathan Bullard — both of who still play in the NFL after careers at Florida. Durkin has also had a hand in landing 14 4-star recruits during his time in the college ranks and was named Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year in 2012.
With Durkin on board, Freeze and the Tigers have replaced the two defensive coaches that departed The Plains in Roberts and defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, who announced his resignation on Jan. 12 and is expected to take a role at Houston.
Wesley McGriff is also set to return to Auburn as the team’s defensive secondary coach after he previously flirted with taking a job at Texas A&M.
