Golesh interview

I didn't compile this list, so I deserve no credit for it. Found it lying around, thought someone might be interested. I did a search; never found it. siap...


Notes from Golesh Interview

I'm pretty fanatical when it comes to coaching philosophies, so I kind of geeked out here.

Here are some my notes from the interview:

• Last seven days: Emotional leaving USF, whirlwind travel, team meetings at both schools, little sleep, energized by Auburn’s support and Tiger Walk.


• Family + job rumors: Hardest part was becoming a distraction to USF players; family is used to coaching life.


• Tiger Walk: Called it “surreal,” humbled by the passion and tradition.


• Why Auburn:
– Clear alignment and a real plan from leadership... one of few places that was aligned and had a plan
– Strong NIL and player-retention commitment.
– One of the few programs with a real national title history.


• USF turnaround keys:
– Staff continuity, clear messaging. Messaging repeated daily.
– Elite standard in everything (behavior, facilities, coaching, habits).
– Never lowered the standard.


• Culture he brings to Auburn:
– Process-driven: sleep, hydration, habits, academics, interactions.
– “How you do anything is how you do everything.”
– Players want development, care, and accountability.
– Players must learn to shut out the noise and be present — phones, distractions, drama, all of it.


• Origin of mindset:
– Jim Tressel’s advice: “Be where your feet are.”
– Focus on today, not outcomes you can’t control.


• Work ethic:
– Comes from immigrant parents’ sacrifices.
– Belief that you can still outwork people in coaching.


• Early life & football:
– Moved from Moscow to New York at 7.
– First football memories: recess tackle games on cement; drawn to the pageantry.


• Offensive philosophy:
– Began studying Baylor’s tempo/width system at Iowa State. Started using concepts with the players they had (TE's)
– Evolved differently at Iowa State, UCF, Tennessee, and USF based on personnel.
– Core concepts: tempo, spacing, formation variation, personnel-driven design, run game is the foundation.
– Everything is based on adjusting system to players, not vice versa.


• QB development:
– Surrounds himself with strong QB coaches (Joel Gordon - developed Brock Purdy).
– Tailors system to QB strengths; improves weaknesses in offseason.
–Every QB is different: deep ball guys, intermediate guys, runners, hybrids—and the offense has to be tailored to what they do well while improving the areas they don’t.

• Why DJ Durkin:
– Knew him for years; admired his defenses from competing against him. The best interview was having to coach against him.
– Praised his ability to change week-to-week and possession-to-possession. DJ's defenses always played extremely hard, ran, hit, and played for each other.
– Loves the effort and physicality his players show.
– Said DJ staying was the perfect situation, “The best in the country at what he does… and he wants to stay.”


• Auburn players so far:
– Meeting roster 1-on-1.
– Every player he’s met “loves Auburn,” which he says is rare.


• Family:
– Wife keeps him grounded and involved; daughter in cheer/flag football; son in baseball/football.


• Winter workouts vision:
– Establish standards, accountability, discipline, relationships.


• Transfer portal:
– Depends on who stays/goes. Right now, they are trying to figure out who is staying and who is going. Spots are limited because so far, many want to stay.
– Fill immediate needs and freshman-class gaps.


• Run-game emphasis:
– Run game is the foundation for their offense and for explosive passes.
– Noted the positive crowd reaction when he said it.


• Fourth-quarter mindset:
– Built year-round.
– Every practice ends with a fourth-quarter period focused on finishing and discipline