DJ Durkin enters his third season as Auburn’s defensive coordinator in 2026, having firmly established himself as one of college football’s premier defensive minds. Named to the role on January 31, 2024, he also served as interim head coach for the final three games of the 2025 season, demonstrating the program’s trust in his leadership both on and off the field.

Durkin’s impact at Auburn has been immediate and dramatic. In 2025, the Tigers finished No. 12 nationally in rushing defense and No. 30 in total defense, allowing just 2.86 yards per carry and 99.3 rushing yards per game — the program’s best marks since 2003. Auburn’s 329.2 total yards allowed per game was the program’s lowest since 2017. Under his direction, linebacker Xavier Atkins earned All-American recognition with an outstanding 84 tackles, 17.0 TFLs, and 9.0 sacks, embodying the kind of elite linebacker play Durkin has cultivated throughout his career.

Before arriving at Auburn, Durkin spent four seasons in the SEC, including two as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. In 2023, his Aggie defense ranked No. 3 in the SEC and No. 19 nationally in total defense while leading the conference in rushing defense, sacks, and first-down defense. His first year at A&M produced the nation’s stingiest passing defense at just 156.2 yards per game, holding opponents under 150 yards through the air in six contests, including three games under 100 yards. 

Prior to Texas A&M, Durkin directed the defense and coached linebackers at Ole Miss for two seasons, continuing a run of SEC excellence that has defined the later stages of his career.

Durkin’s résumé spans some of college football’s most storied programs. As defensive coordinator at Florida from 2013–14, he guided the Gators to consecutive top-15 national rankings in total defense, developing NFL Draft picks including third-overall selection Dante Fowler Jr. At Michigan in 2015, his unit ranked fourth nationally, holding opponents to 17.2 points per game while producing nine All-Big Ten honorees, including Jourdan Lewis and Jabrill Peppers. 

He also served as head coach at Maryland, doubling the program’s win total in his debut season and bringing in consecutive top-30 recruiting classes for the first time in program history.

Over his 20-plus year coaching career, Durkin has helped sign 11 top-25 recruiting classes, including seven that ranked in the top 10 nationally. He was named Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year in 2012, a testament to his ability to identify and develop elite defensive talent at every stop.

A Bowling Green alumnus, Durkin earned both his bachelor’s in business marketing and his master’s in educational administration from the university. He and his wife Sarah have two children, Abigail and Luke.

COACHING HISTORY
2001-02: Bowling Green, graduate assistant
2003-04: Notre Dame, graduate assistant
2005: Bowling Green, defensive ends
2006: Bowling Green, linebackers/special teams
2007-09: Stanford, defensive ends/special teams
2010-12: Florida, linebackers/special teams
2013-14: Florida, defensive coordinator
2015: Michigan, defensive coordinator/linebackers
2016-17: Maryland, head coach
2019: Atlanta Falcons, consultant
2020-21: Ole Miss, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
2022-23: Texas A&M, defensive coordinator/safeties
2024-: Auburn, defensive coordinator/linebackers