The Auburn Tigers are making notable adjustments to their coaching staff and exploring transfer portal opportunities ahead of the 2025 season. With former defensive staff members Charles Kelly departing for Jacksonville State and Josh Aldridge heading to East Carolina University, Auburn has restructured responsibilities within the team.
Recently, assistant coach TJ Rushing was promoted to an on-field role to assist Wesley McGriff in the secondary. Additionally, special teams coordinator Tanner Burns will now take on defensive duties, specifically coaching the team’s nickels. Burns, who previously worked with head coach Hugh Freeze at Liberty as a special teams and linebackers coach, joined Auburn in 2023. Before his time at Liberty, Burns gained experience as a quality control staff member for special teams at Arkansas from 2014 to 2018.
On the player recruitment front, the Tigers are hosting visits from transfer portal prospects. Although the transfer portal for undergraduate players has closed, players already in the portal can still finalize decisions, and graduate players remain eligible to enter at any time. Auburn, having already added 14 players through the portal, is still targeting specific areas for improvement.
Among the visitors is former Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, who entered the transfer portal on Friday and visited Auburn the following day. During his visit, Alexander expressed his admiration for Auburn’s campus and facilities, citing positive interactions with the coaching staff, including defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. He also highlighted the campus atmosphere, academic opportunities, and athletic support systems.
Alexander, however, has yet to make his final decision and plans to visit several other programs, including Clemson, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, before determining his next team.