The Auburn Tigers are laying the groundwork for a new era this offseason led by a new head coach in Alex Golesh, and the first order of business for the new head man on The Plains is to assemble a staff that will give the program the best chance for success.
Golesh is known around the country as one of the sharpest young offensive minds in the sport, but no coach can do it without a top notch group of assistants around him. It just so happens that at South Florida, one of Golesh’s most trusted coaches was a national champion and offensive standout during his playing days at Auburn, and Golesh is bringing him back home.
It was announced in a release by the program former Tiger Kodi Burns is being hired by Auburn with three different titles including Associate Head Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with Kodi three times in my career, and there was no question that I would bring him back to his alma mater,” Golesh said.
“KB is one of the top offensive coaches and recruiters in the country and is a true man of integrity. I know he will help us lead our team to where it needs to go and be a tremendous resource to me as associate head coach. I am thankful he trusts me, and that he is ready to take on this challenge with our players and staff at a place that is so special to him.”
Burns coming back will mark his third coaching stint at Auburn, serving both as a graduate assistant in 2013 and the wide receivers coach from 2016-2018 under Gus Malzahn. He worked with Golesh both at Tennessee as the wide receivers coach and at South Florida with a stint even in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in between.
Playing at Auburn from 2007-2010, Burns played both quarterback and wide receiver for the Tigers, starting seven games at QB in 2008 before making the switch the following season. He finished his playing career with 1,312 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions along with nearly 800 rushing yards, 223 receiving yards and another 16 total touchdowns.
Now, he makes his most important coaching stop yet and looks to be taking on a major role at Auburn again. Clearly, Golesh trusts him immensely, so it should be a special ride with the pair working together yet again.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
