Update >> Auburn has now formally announced the hire of Golesh.
Auburn went through a deep search process and had in-depth discussions with Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.
He's now the frontrunner at Florida, and DJ Durkin's bid for the full-time Auburn job after serving as interim is not going to be enough following the Tigers's 27-20 loss to rival Alabama Saturday night in the 'Iron Bowl,' sources tell FootballScoop.
The Tigers are targeting USF head coach Alex Golesh, who was offered the Arkansas job midweek and entered into verbal negotiations with the Razorbacks at the same time Arkansas began notifying other candidates that the Hogs intended to go in a different direction, multiple sources told FootballScoop.
It's part of a wild set of musical chairs in the Southeastern Conference.
Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports also has the news on Golesh.
Auburn talked with Sumrall, James Franklin, Eli Drinkwitz and other candidates during its quest to replace the fired Hugh Freeze.
After Arkansas offered Golesh and sources within both programs told FootballScoop that things were "trending that way" for Golesh to agree to terms and become the Razorbacks's next head coach, the deal fell through.
How far down the road was Arkansas with Golesh? FootballScoop spoke to sources midweek in Arkansas and Florida and learned that Arkansas A.D. Hunter Yurachek initially had booked a hotel room this evening in Tampa, Florida, presumably to finish the Golesh deal and fly him back to Arkansas for a press conference.
Instead, Auburn is landing the high-octane offensive-minded Golesh, who got his coaching start at Ohio State, has been in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and then also served as a top offensive assistant at Iowa State, Central Florida and Tennessee -- the latter two under current Vols head coach Josh Heupel.
Auburn had called a team meeting for 10 a.m. central this morning and had targeted having a head coach positioned to be named by today
Timing is key with Wednesday opening the early signing period for incoming Class of 2026 recruits to sign NCAA scholarship papers with their respective schools.