Ohio State’s interest in DJ Durkin prompted Auburn to act quickly and offer him a contract extension, according to a new report. Auburn moved swiftly to secure its defensive coordinator to a new deal after it was revealed that Ohio State was eyeing him for its open DC role.
Ohio State reportedly tried to lure Durkin away from Auburn to replace Jim Knowles, who left the Buckeyes for Penn State. In response, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze took immediate action to keep Durkin by offering him an extension.
Rivals’ Brian Stultz stated on X that Ohio State’s offer was an attempt to steal Durkin, but Freeze wasn’t going to let that happen.
Durkin previously faced Ohio State as Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2015 before leaving to become the head coach at Maryland. Now, after Knowles’ departure to Penn State, Ohio State is in search of a new defensive coordinator.
Durkin, whose new deal at Auburn will pay him up to $2.5 million in 2025, joined the Tigers in 2024 after two years at Texas A&M. He has also held defensive roles at Ole Miss and Florida under Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp.
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