Hugh Freeze continues to revamp his Auburn coaching staff, and has reached out to an SEC veteran in DJ Durkin to be the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Chris Low noted that this will be Durkin’s fourth different stint as a DC in the SEC. He was at Texas A&M the past two seasons, Ole Miss the two seasons prior to that and Florida in 2013-14.

Outside of the SEC, Durkin is most known nationally for his stint at Maryland as head coach when there were accusations of a toxic culture, and there was the tragic death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair after a workout.

Last season, the Aggies’ defense was 3rd in the SEC in total defense as it gave up 316 yards per game. The defense was also 5th in the SEC in scoring defense at 22.1 points per game.

In his first season at Texas A&M, Durkin’s defense led the nation allowing the fewest passing yards per game at 156.2. The Aggies held opponents under 150 yards through the air in six games, including three games under 100 yards.

Durkin’s coaching experience:

2001-02: Bowling Green (Graduate Assistant)
2003-04: Notre Dame (Graduate Assistant)
2005: Bowling Green (Defensive Ends)
2006: Bowling Green (Linebackers/Special Teams)
2007-09: Stanford (Defensive Ends/Special Teams)
2010-12: Florida (Linebackers/Special Teams)
2013-14: Florida (Defensive Coordinator)
2015: Michigan (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2016-17: Maryland (Head Coach)
2019: Atlanta Falcons (Consultant)
2020-21: Ole Miss (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2022-2023: Texas A&M (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)

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