Auburn Hires Former Texas A&M Coach D.J. Durkin As Defensive Coordinator
Former Texas A&M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin seems to have his next destination lined up for 2024.
And it looks like he's staying in the Southeastern Conference.
According to reports, Durkin is being hired by Hugh Freeze as the Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator position. The Tigers fired Ron Roberts after finishing 6-7 under first-year coach Hugh Freeze.
Durkin, a longtime defensive assistant at the collegiate ranks, spent two seasons in College Station as Mike Elko's replacement under Jimbo Fisher. Durkin previously spent two seasons as Ole Miss' defensive coordinator before being poached by Fisher following an 8-4 season in 2021.
Durkin, 46, also spent four seasons (2010-14) as Florida's defensive coordinator before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. He also served as Maryland's head coach from 2016-18.
A&M ranked 36th nationally in scoring (22.1) in 2023 en route to a 7-6 finish. The Aggies held opponents to 108.77 yards rushing per game, which ranked 14th-fewest in the FBS.
In 2022, A&M's defense made headlines as the nation's top pass defense after holding opponents to 156.2 yards per contest. Under Durkin, the Aggies finished 22nd in scoring after holding opponents to 20.7 points per game.
The Tigers finished 43rd nationally in scoring defense (22.6) and 47th in total yards allowed (357.2). Auburn's glaring weakness was its run defense, which ranked 78th after allowing 4.53 yards per rush attempt.
Last season in A&M's 27-10 win over the Tigers, the Aggies totaled 209 rushing yards on 33 carries. As a unit, they averaged 6.1 yards per run and scored on a 4-yard run from Le'Veon Moss.
The Tigers recently named former Colorado defensive coordinator Charles Kelly as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Durkin was co-defensive coordinator last season with the Aggies along with defensive line coach Elijah Robinson.
Elko, who was hired in place of the departed Fisher following a two-year stint at Duke, elected not to retain either coordinator as part of his new staff. Former Florida linebacker coach Jay Bateman was named the Aggies' new defensive coordinator/linebackers coach.
Former Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein will take over for Bobby Petrino as A&M's new play-caller.
The Aggies travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face Auburn on Nov. 23.
