TAMPA − New Auburn football coach Alex Golesh began his address at SEC football media days by thanking the people in the Tampa Bay area for their support during his time as head coach at USF.
“We spent just over three years here and met some incredible people here, some dear friends still,” Golesh said. “This community was incredible to my family. I am really, really thankful for my time here and the way we got treated and the commitment that was made to us here in Tampa.”
How did Golesh further display his gratitude for his successful stint with the Bulls?
By raiding USF’s roster.
Golesh added 13 transfers from USF — including starting quarterback Byrum Brown, center Cole Best and receiver Chas Nimrod — after being hired as Auburn’s coach last December.
Welcome to college football in 2026. Call it the Curt Cignetti effect. Cignetti added 13 transfers from his prior job at James Madison to transform a moribund Indiana football program to a College Football Playoff team in 2024 and a National Champion in 2025.
The ease of player movement in the transfer portal has caused other schools to follow suit. Golesh is merely following a trend. New Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris brought 17 players from his prior stop, North Texas this past offseason. Former Toledo coach Jason Candle, meanwhile, is bringing 21 players to his new job at UConn.
If it works, Golesh will be hailed on The Plains for waking up a sleeping power. Auburn won a national championship in 2010 with Cam Newton at quarterback and got to the national title in 2013 with Gus Malzahn as coach. Golesh has confidence in his new additions, based on how they performed in big stages, which included USF’s 18-16 upset of Florida in September of 2025 at The Swamp.
“A lot of guys would refer to them at USF guys, I don’t look at them like that,” said returning Auburn defensive back Champ Anthony. “Those are Auburn men. They are our guys. We bled with them, we trained with them for so long …
“Coach Golesh, he’s not bringing in people in who are his friends. He’s bringing in people who can play.”
Why Florida football SEC opener vs Auburn critical for both teams
Florida football will play at Auburn on Sept. 19, (7 p.m., ESPN) in a critical SEC opener for both teams. It also will pit two familiar faces on the sidelines. Florida Gators football coach Jon Sumrall and Golesh both competed in the American Conference last season. In the lone meeting between the two coaches, Sumrall’s Green Wave routed Golesh’s Bulls 45-10 on Sept. 28. 2024.
“Jon and I obviously competed against each other for a couple years in the American,” Golesh said. “Gotten to know Jon well. I respect how he works. I respect his approach. I think he works as hard as anybody. Players believe in him, which is — you can see when you turn the film on when you play against them.
“I think he’s smart, tough, gritty. That’s what his teams are. That’s what he’s always been as a coach. Got a ton of respect for him. We’ve got a long way before we get to that week three matchup. It will be fun in Jordan-Hare week three Saturday night.”
By then, Golesh will know if his USF-north strategy paid off.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: New Auburn football coach Alex Golesh thanks USF by raiding its roster
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
