AUBURN — Widely recognized as one of the top special teams coaches in the country, Jacob Bronowski has been hired as Auburn’s new Special Teams Coordinator, head coach Alex Golesh announced Thursday.
"I am fired up Jacob to join our staff,” Golesh said. “His track record is outstanding. He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country. I saw up close when we worked together before that Coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he's proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”
Bronowski and Golesh previously worked together on staffs at Tennessee and UCF.
The Texas native comes to Auburn following two outstanding seasons at Pitt, where he served as Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends coach from 2024-25. In 2025, he mentored Pitt freshman Trey Butkowski to an All-ACC season and Lou Groza Award semifinalist selection. He converted 19-of-22 field goals (86.4%) and 41-of-42 extra-point tries.
The 2024 season included Bronowski playing a pivotal role in helping PK Ben Sauls have one of the best seasons ever recorded by a Pitt specialist. Sauls was selected to a pair of All-America teams and was a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Semifinalist.
Prior to Pitt, Bronowski spent two seasons (2022-23) at Miami (Ohio) as special teams coordinator and defensive assistant. His 2023 special teams units helped power the RedHawks to an 11-3 record and MAC Championship, ranking first nationally in ESPN's efficiency ratings. Miami led the country with a 44.09 net punting average during the regular season, finished second nationally in blocked kicks (six), and ranked 14th in punt returns (12.46 average).
Under Bronowski's coordination, Miami kicker Graham Nicholson captured the 2023 Lou Groza Award as college football's top placekicker. The consensus All-American posted a team-high 116 points while converting an impressive 96% of his field goal attempts (27 of 28). Punter Alec Bevelhimer earned Ray Guy Award semifinalist honors with a 45.0-yard average per punt.
Sauls led the team in scoring with 107 points, achieved by converting 21 out of 24 field goals (87.5%) and all 44 extra points attempts. Sauls went on to be signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Bronowski's excellence earned him recognition on the 247Sports All-Assistant Team and selection for the prestigious AFCA "35 Under 35" Coaches Leadership Institute. He was named 247 Sports Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2023.
In 2021, Bronowski worked as special teams analyst at Tennessee, where Velus Jones Jr. led the SEC and ranked second nationally with a 15.1-yard punt return average, earning SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year honors. The Volunteers ranked top-25 nationally in four special teams categories.
Bronowski began his coaching career at New Mexico (2014-17), his alma mater, where he worked with future NFL specialists Jason Sanders (Miami Dolphins) and Corey Bojorquez (Cleveland Browns). He also coordinated special teams at Robert Morris (2018-19), where his units led the Northeast Conference in punt return defense, blocked punts, and kickoff return defense.
Originally from College Station, Texas, Bronowski earned his bachelor's degree from New Mexico in 2016. He and his wife Stacey have two sons, Brody and Baker.
COACHING HISTORY
2016-17: New Mexico, graduate assistant
2018-19: Robert Morris, special teams coordinator/tight ends
2020: UCF, special teams quality control
2021: Tennessee, special teams analyst
2022-23: Miami (OH), special teams coordinator/defensive assistant
2024-25: Pittsburgh, special teams coordinator/tight ends
2026-: Auburn, special teams coordinator