Kodi Burns is excited for chance to return to Auburn with Alex Golesh

Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen called Alex Golesh at 1 a.m. on Sunday to offer him the head coaching position with Auburn football. About an hour later, Golesh reached out to an Auburn legend with an offer to return home to become the associate head coach.

Kodi Burns, who served as co-offensive coordinator for Golesh at USF during the 2025 season, jumped at the opportunity to return to the Plains as an assistant coach.

"I think I blacked out," Burns said about getting the offer from Golesh to follow him from USF to Auburn. "There has been a lot happening. Obviously, we had to finish out our final game at South Florida, but once I got that call from coach Golesh, it was a no-brainer."

Golesh spoke on the decision to bring Burns with him to Auburn during his introductory press conference on Monday, saying that Burns played a role in Golesh's decision to accept the Auburn job, and that he will look to Burns for advice on how to handle the ins and outs of the program.

"All Kodi’s talked about since the day that he joined our staff six years ago is how incredible this place is and what Auburn University has meant to his life," Golesh said. "A lot of years of stories of playing here and playing there and what this stadium is like day in and day out. Kodi is going to be our associate head coach. Kodi’s been by my side for so long and is as incredible as they come as a teammate for me and for our staff. He’s an elite teacher, elite man and an elite football coach. So, you talk about a guy that is happy to be here, I’m beyond excited to be able to be a part of bringing Kodi back home and he’ll have pointers for me forever."

Outside of the nostalgia factor, Golesh considers Burns and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, who will also join the new-look Auburn staff, solid quarterback developers. Golesh, who has worked with Byrum Brown, Hendon Hooker, Brock Purdy, and Dillon Gabriel, among others, is known for tailoring his offenses to better suit the starting quarterback, helping them reach their full potential.

"The two guys that are coming in to work with the quarterbacks are the best I’ve ever been around, which is why they’re coming to Auburn," Golesh said of Burns and Gordon.

Burns is one of several offensive coaches that Golesh has brought with him to Auburn from USF. Offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon are set to join the staff, as well as several off-the-field staff members, including former USF Director of Scouting Alex Fagan.

Watch Alex Golesh's introductory press conference

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football legend Kodi Burns ready for return with Alex Golesh