Alex Golesh
By Chris Wright
Last Updated:
Auburn hired Alex Golesh on Nov. 30, 2025. Golesh replaced Hugh Freeze, whom Auburn fired midway through his third season.
Golesh reportedly signed a 6-year contract worth $7.4 million annually, plus incentives. Golesh made $2.6 million in 2025 as USF’s head coach.
This is Golesh’s first Power Conference head coaching job. He spent 3 seasons at USF, leaving with a 23-15 overall mark.
Alex Golesh Coaching Record
Alex Golesh’s career record is 23-15. Here’s a look at his year-by-year record as a head coach.
Alex Golesh Coaching History
Here’s a detailed look at Alex Golesh’s coaching history:
- Nov. 30, 2025-present: Head coach — Auburn
- 2023-Nov. 30, 2025: Head coach — USF
- 2021-22: Offensive coordinator — Tennessee
- 2020: Co-offensive coordinator — UCF
- 2016-19: Tight ends coach — Iowa State
- 2012-15: Tight ends/offensive assistant — Illinois
- 2009-11: Tight ends coach — Toledo
- 2008: Graduate assistant — Oklahoma State
- 2006-07: Graduate assistant — Northern Illinois
- 2004-05: Student assistant — Ohio State
Alex Golesh Bio
Alex Golesh was born in Moscow, Russia but grew up in the United States. His family initially moved to New York before settling in Ohio, where Golesh graduated high school and attended Ohio State University.
Golesh did not play football for the Buckeyes, but he spent 2 seasons as a student assistant in 2004 and 2005, helping OSU’s defensive staff. That was his entry into the coaching world.
Golesh spent most of the early years of his career working with tight ends.
In 2020, he got his first big break, being named co-offensive coordinator at UCF, which was coached by Josh Heupel.
When Heupel left in 2021 to become Tennessee’s head coach, he took Golesh with him. Golesh spent 2 seasons as the Vols’ offensive coordinator before being named USF’s head coach for the 2023 season.
Golesh has been named a Broyles Award finalist for his work as an assistant and frequently appeared on lists ranking the top young head coaches.
Golesh is married and has 2 children.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
