Auburn's New Defensive Coaching Staff Sees Rapid Improvement in Edge Rushers

Head coach Alex Golesh and defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler are pushing the Tigers' talented defensive line to new heights this spring.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:34pm

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The Auburn Tigers have a wealth of talent at edge rusher, and new head coach Alex Golesh and defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler are working to maximize the potential of this group. Golesh praised the rapid development of veteran transfer Da'Shawn Womack as well as young standout Jared Smith, noting that the entire edge unit has gotten better every single day in practice despite the mental demands placed on them.

Why it matters

Auburn's defensive line was a strength under former coach Hugh Freeze, and maintaining that level of production will be crucial for the Tigers as they look to compete in the SEC West. Golesh and Hutzler's ability to get the most out of this talented group could pay big dividends for Auburn's defense in 2026.

The details

Golesh highlighted the progress of veteran transfer Da'Shawn Womack, who played a key reserve role at Ole Miss last season, as well as young standout Jared Smith, a 6'6", 260-pound sophomore. Golesh praised the entire edge unit for taking to the coaching staff's demanding approach and improving rapidly despite the mental challenges they face in Hutzler's complex defensive scheme.

  • The Auburn Tigers began spring practice in March 2026.

The players

Alex Golesh

The head coach of the Auburn Tigers, hired in 2025 after previously serving as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Coleman Hutzler

The defensive coordinator for the Auburn Tigers, brought in by Golesh after previously holding the same role at Mississippi State.

Da'Shawn Womack

A veteran transfer edge rusher who played a key reserve role for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2025 and is now pushing for a starting job at Auburn in 2026.

Jared Smith

A 6'6", 260-pound sophomore edge rusher for the Auburn Tigers who has impressed the coaching staff with his rapid development this spring.

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What they’re saying

“The edge guys, man, that group has gotten better every single day. I think, again, what we do with those guys, they're asked to do a bunch of different things, from different presentations up front, to pass rush packages, to playing and drop coverage stuff. There's a lot mentally on those guys.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers

“Womack has gotten better day in, day out. Womack is the one guy that's played a ton of football that has taken some leadership in that group. Offensively, you present some challenges because of the tempo, because of the variation of looks there too. Those guys got a lot mentally on them, and then they'll get tired, and it's been fun to watch like a Womack, get better.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers

“Jared Smith has gotten better and more confident every single day. They've gotten better as a group, but really, the young guys have gotten old really quickly. They've come along really, really well.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers

What’s next

The Auburn Tigers will continue spring practice throughout April, with the annual A-Day spring game scheduled for April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Golesh and Hutzler's ability to rapidly develop Auburn's talented edge rushers, both veterans and young players, could be a major key to the Tigers' defensive success in 2026. If this group continues to improve at the rate Golesh has described, Auburn's defense could be one of the most formidable in the SEC.