Breaking News: Auburn Hires New Defensive Coordinator with Record-Breaking Salary in College Football

Auburn University has appointed DJ Durkin as its new defensive coordinator, marking his fourth tenure in this role within the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Durkin previously served as the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Florida.  

Durkin’s contract with Auburn spans three years, with an initial annual salary of $1.2 million in 2024. This salary will increase by $200,000 each subsequent year, reaching $1.6 million in 2026. Over the course of the contract, Durkin could earn more than $4 million.  

While Durkin’s compensation is substantial, it does not set a new record in college football. For instance, in 2022, Clemson’s defensive coordinator, Brent Venables, was reported to have an annual salary of $2.5 million, which was among the highest for assistant coaches at that time.

Durkin’s coaching career includes significant experience within the SEC. He was the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2013 to 2014, co-defensive coordinator at Ole Miss from 2020 to 2021, and most recently, the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M from 2022 to 2023.  

In his most recent season at Texas A&M, Durkin’s defense ranked third in the SEC and 19th nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 316.0 yards per game. The unit also led the conference in rushing defense, surrendering just 108.8 yards per game, and topped the SEC in sacks with 42, placing seventh nationally.  

Durkin’s appointment comes as part of head coach Hugh Freeze’s efforts to strengthen Auburn’s coaching staff. Freeze has expressed confidence in Durkin’s ability to enhance the team’s defensive performance, citing his successful track record within the SEC.  

It’s noteworthy that Durkin’s tenure as head coach at Maryland ended in 2018 following the death of a player and subsequent investigations into the program’s culture. Since then, he has returned to coaching in the SEC, holding positions at Ole Miss and Texas A&M before his current role at Auburn.  

In summary, while DJ Durkin’s hiring as Auburn’s defensive coordinator is a significant move for the program, his salary does not set a new benchmark in college football. His extensive experience and prior success in the SEC are expected to contribute positively to Auburn’s defensive strategies in the upcoming seasons.

Auburn’s new defensive coordinator is actually not a new hire, but rather D.J. Durkin, who joined the team in January 2024. Durkin signed a three-year contract worth over $4 million, with a base salary of $1.2 million for the 2024 season. While this is a significant amount, it’s not entirely clear if it’s a record-breaking salary in college football.

Durkin brings extensive coaching experience to Auburn, having previously worked at Maryland, Texas A&M, and Michigan. His defensive strategies have already shown promise, and he’s expected to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.

It’s worth noting that Auburn’s coaching staff has undergone some changes, with Zac Etheridge receiving a pay raise, and Charles Kelly and Derrick Nix joining the team as co-defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, respectively.