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Former Vols OC Alex Golesh Isn't Holding Back When It Comes to Former Boss Josh Heupel

The Auburn head coach has never been shy about giving Heupel credit for his coaching rise, but this week Golesh admitted he may give the Tennessee coach a little TOO much credit.
Josh Greer|
Tennessee OC Alex Golesh speaks to players during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0496
Tennessee OC Alex Golesh speaks to players during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0496 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Tennessee Volunteers

Alex Golesh has never been shy about crediting Josh Heupel for his rise in coaching, and this week he admitted he might be a little too generous with the praise. It is easy to see why. The two have a coaching bond that stretches back years, and it is about to collide on the field in a big way.

I give him a lot of credit publicly, I feel like maybe TOO much.
Auburn Head Coach, Alex Golesh

Where It All Started

Golesh joined Heupel's staff at UCF in 2020 as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, his first year working directly for the man who would shape the next chapter of his career. When Heupel took the Tennessee job in 2021, Golesh followed him to Knoxville and brought the same title with him.

Building the Vols Offense

Golesh spent two seasons, 2021 and 2022, running Tennessee's offense while Heupel called plays. The results were hard to ignore. The Vols jumped from 7 wins in 2021 to an 11-2 finish in 2022, capped by an Orange Bowl win over Clemson, and the offense led the nation with more than 500 yards and 47 points per game behind quarterback Hendon Hooker. Golesh also coached tight ends during that stretch and helped develop players like Jacob Warren and Princeton Fant.

Former Vols QB Hendon Hooker
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) prepares for a play as rain falls during Tennessee's game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Kns Vols Georgia Bp | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Climb to Head Coach

After the 2022 season, Golesh left Knoxville to become the head coach at South Florida, where he spent three years and posted a 23-15 record while continuing to run a fast, high-scoring offense. That success eventually caught Auburn's attention, and the Tigers hired Golesh as their head coach in December 2025.

Alex Golesh at South Florida.
Nov 15, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; South Florida Bulls head coach Alex Golesh looks on the field during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated South Florida Bulls 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A Staff Full of Familiar Faces

Golesh won't be the only former Tennessee coach returning to Knoxville. Auburn's staff also includes Kodi Burns, who served as Tennessee's wide receivers coach under Heupel, and Tim Banks, who spent five seasons as the Vols' defensive coordinator. Burns is now Auburn's associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach, while Banks serves as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

The Rematch in Knoxville

Golesh gets his first crack at his old boss on October 3, 2026, when Auburn visits Neyland Stadium. Heupel has already said he is looking forward to it, calling it a unique chance to face someone from his own coaching tree. With so many familiar faces on both sidelines, from Golesh himself to assistants like Banks and Burns, this one figures to be as much a family reunion as it is a football game.

Golesh has made no secret of how much respect he still has for Heupel, even joking this week that he may give him too much credit publicly now that the two are recruiting rivals. Come the first Saturday in October, all the compliments will be set aside, and the game will be played on the field.

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Josh Greer
JOSH GREER

Josh Greer is a sports journalist and educator from Paris, Tennessee, whose passion for sports has shaped a career spanning coaching, higher education, and sports media. Before entering journalism, Greer spent time as a Tennessee high school football coach and was part of two state championship-winning teams. His passion for sports eventually led him to higher education, where he spent more than a decade teaching sport management and providing students with hands-on experiences at major sporting events, including national championships, Super Bowls, and NFL Drafts. Greer brings a unique combination of coaching, teaching, and sports industry experience to his journalism. He takes pride in covering the stories, people, and trends shaping sports, with a particular interest in collegiate athletics.

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