Three Names To Watch During Auburn's Defensive Coordinator Search

These are names to watch as Auburn continues it search for a new defensive coordinator.

The Auburn Tigers are still in search of a new defensive coordinator.

Ron Roberts, who held the position for one season on the Plains, was hired away by the Florida Gators early in January to become their executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Now Auburn is left looking for someone to fill a co-defensive coordinator role alongside Charles Kelly, who was added to staff at the beginning of the year.

Here are three names to watch during Auburn's search for a new defensive coordinator.

Chris Kiffin, Houston Texans

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Kiffin spent some time with Hugh Freeze during his tenure with the Ole Miss Rebels. Kiffin started his coaching career as an assistant at Idaho (2005-2006) before becoming a graduate assistant with Ole Miss (2007). He then moved to the Nebraska Cornhuskers as an offensive quality control assistant (2008-2009) and then to the USC Trojans as a defensive administrative assistant (2010). Kiffin's first big step up as a staffer came with the Arkansas State Red Wolves as a defensive line coach (2011). Kiffin was then hired as defensive line coach with Hugh Freeze and the Rebels (2012-2016).

Since his time with Ole Miss, Kiffin has seen stints with the Florida Atlantic Owls (defensive coordinator/linebackers coach, 2017), the San Francisco 49ers (pass rush specialist coach, 2018-2019), the Cleveland Browns (defensive line coach, 2020-2021), and most recently the Houston Texans (linebackers coach), where he remained through their playoff run this season.

DJ Durkin

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Durkin has an extensive track record as an SEC staffer and coordinator. He coached linebackers and special teams with the Florida Gators from 2010-2012, was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Gators from 2013-2014, became DC and linebackers coach for the Michigan Wolverines in 2015 before being named head coach of the Maryland Terrapins. Durkin finished with an 11-15 record over the course of three seasons from 2016-2018.

In 2019 he was hired as a consultant for the Atlanta Falcons before becoming co-defensive coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2020-2021. In 2022, Durkin was hired as defensive coordinator for the Texas A&M Aggies, where he spent 2022 and 2023. Durkin also has coaching experience with the Bowling Green Falcons (GA, 2001-2002), Notre Dame Fighting Irish (GA, 2003-2004), Bowling Green again (DE/LB/ST, 2005-2006), and the Stanford Cardinal (DE/ST, 2007-2009).

Zach Arnett

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Arnett started his career as a graduate assistant at San Diego State (2011-2013) before being promoted to linebackers coach (2014-2017) and then defensive coordinator (2018-2019) for the Aztecs. He quickly drew national attention at SDSU as a coordinator after two very solid seasons.

In 2020, Arnett was hired as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach by the Mississippi State Bulldogs before being promoted to head coach in following his interim position in 2022. He posted a 4-6 record before being fired in mid-November.