The Auburn Tigers have narrowed down their candidates for their new head coach, but it may not be what their fans and supporters envisioned. On Saturday, Nov. 29, a report was published on X/Twitter by college football reporter John Talty that current interim coach DJ Durkin is most likely to be named to a permanent role and be named as the next main tactician for the Tigers program for the rest of the year and in 2026.
This comes prior to Auburn facing coach Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide for their Week 12 matchup of the 2025 collegiate football campaign on the same day on their home pitch, the Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. All of these developments come after the Tigers previously dismissed their former shot-caller in Hugh Freeze, after the team struggled to rack up wins to start the 2025 season.
Industry sources have continued to tell @mzenitz and me that D.J. Durkin is a strong contender to land the Auburn head coaching job heading into tonight’s Iron Bowl against Alabama.
Big opportunity for him vs. the Crimson Tide. https://t.co/stFHZ4nDgC pic.twitter.com/U3jKEIFR9N
— John Talty (@JTalty) November 30, 2025
College fans and spectators are not too keen on Durkin actually taking over the Auburn program for 2025 after he was just in an interim role throughout 2025.
“Rest of the SEC,” one user captioned with a GIF that states, ‘We are laughing.’
“Then forfeited the game by starting Daniels lmao,” another user pointed out.
“F*ck DJ Durkin,” another shared.
“Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street couldn’t sell Durkin to Auburn fans after this first half,” a user said.
Other users all over X/Twitter then brought up his previous Maryland Terrapins tenure, one that ended in several instances of controversy.
“Oof, just a cursory glance at his Maryland tenure would lead me to say no thanks,” one user wrote.
“This dude killed a kid. #neverforget Source: The New York Times,” another user posted with a link to a The New York Times article.
“Man…Murder is usually a non-starter,” a user claimed.
The 2025 Tigers currently have an overall record of 5-6 (1-6 SEC) as they look to get into any postseason competitions after the regular season. Heading into the much-anticipated game against the Crimson Tide, they defeated the Mercer Bears by an astounding 43 points, 62-17, in Week 11 back on Nov. 22, also on their home pitch. They are looking to improve on last year’s 5-7 overall record (2-6 SEC).
Jon Sumrall Still Has A Slim Chance To Be Named As The New Auburn Tigers Coach
Despite DJ Durkin most likely being named as the new Auburn Tigers coach, it has been reported that there is still a small chance that former Tulane Green Wave tactician Jon Sumrall may still be named to the role. This is because Sumrall has been linked to the Auburn-based program ever since his departure from Tulane, but is also being connected to the likes of the Florida Gators and the Ole Miss Rebels.
Also Read:
2024 Auburn Tigers Coaching Staff: Hugh Freeze Heads a Controversial Cast
Auburn Tigers Heisman Trophy Winners: A Complete List and History
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