Competing in the SEC as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee before taking the USF head coaching opportunity uniquely prepared Alex Golesh for what to expect as he begins his first season leading an SEC program himself.
Armed with that knowledge and experience, Golesh continues to build a strong staff.
The latest addition this afternoon comes in the form of a former SEC coordinator.
Coleman Hutzler, who Jeff Lebby recently parted ways with as his defensive coordinator in Starkville just recently to pave the way for a return of Zach Arnett, is expected to join the Tigers staff to coach the edge rushers, FootballScoop can confirm. CBS Sports has also shared the same.
While Mississippi State marked Hutzler's first opportunity to call the defense, he brings a wealth of coordinator experience with him to his new post on the plains after serving as a special teams coordinator at six different spots, including at four different SEC programs
A former Division III linebacker at Middlebury (D-III -VT), Hutzler's experience calling the shots on special teams includes stops at Florida (twice), South Carolina, Ole Miss and Alabama before he left his post on Nick Saban's staff to take over the defense for Lebby.
In addition to that SEC experience, Hutzler also spent a season in 2020 as the co-defensive coordinator at Texas under Tom Herman, and coordinated special teams at Boston College and New Mexico as well during his career.
Hutzler will a defensive staff where Golesh was able to retain DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator, while also bringing DeMarcus Van Dyke and Brad Wilson with him from USF.
Van Dyke coached the corners for the Bulls, while Wilson served in a defensive assistant role at USF before following Golesh to Auburn.
The offensive side of the ball, so far, is also composed of coaches coming with Golesh from USF, including Joel Gordon (OC), Kodi Burns (co-OC / WRs) and Tyler Hudanick (OL).
We recently shared that to run the Tigers special teams, Golesh was able to pry Jacob Bronowski away from Pitt, where he coordinated the special teams units for Pat Narduzzi the past several years after a stellar start to his coordinator career at Miami (OH) under Chuck Martin.
Keep track of all hires Golesh is bringing to The Plains via our Auburn Staff Tracker page.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for all the latest in coaching changes job postings.