DJ Durkin names Auburn’s ‘sole play-caller’ on offense
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Auburn fired head coach Hugh Freeze in large part because of offensive woes. Now that DJ Durkin is Auburn’s interim head coach, he’s delegating offensive coordinator and running backs coach Derrick Nix as the sole play-caller.
Durkin has faith that Nix will turn around Auburn’s offense, which is coming off scoring just 3 points vs. Kentucky.
“He’ll be the play caller every down and he’s the sole play-caller,” Durkin said via the Montgomery Advertiser. “I have extreme confidence in Derrick. He and I have worked together in previous stops as well. Another great person and a great coach. I think the players really respond to him, they understand where he’s coming from. I think Derrick is going to do a great job. We’ll be aggressive in everything we do.”
The 45-year-old Nix is in his second season as Auburn’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach. This is Nix’s first stint as an offensive coordinator. Nix previously coached at Ole Miss from 2008-2023 in a variety of roles, capped off with associate head coach.
Next up for Auburn is a road contest at No. 15 Vanderbilt on Nov. 8. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
