The second day of 2026 SEC Media Days featured a familiar reunion as Auburn head coach Alex Golesh and quarterback Byrum Brown returned to Tampa, the city where they helped revive the University of South Florida football program before beginning a new chapter on the Plains.
Their appearance at the annual conference event carried extra significance, marking a homecoming for two of college football’s most recognizable offseason additions.
Familiar Faces Return to Former Home
Tuesday’s schedule featured representatives from Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, with Auburn drawing particular attention thanks to the return of Golesh and Brown to the Tampa area.
Before taking over the Tigers program, Golesh spent three seasons as head coach at South Florida, leading the Bulls from 2023 through the end of the 2025 season.
During that span, he transformed the program into a competitive force, compiling a 23-15 overall record while overseeing one of the team’s most successful stretches in recent years.
His final season proved to be his best.
South Florida finished 9-4 overall and placed fourth in the American Athletic Conference, dramatically raising Golesh’s national profile and making him one of the hottest coaching candidates in college football.
Auburn’s New Era Began Last Winter
Following the successful 2025 campaign, Auburn moved quickly to hire Golesh as its next head coach.
He officially accepted the position in late November, bringing an end to his successful run with the Bulls and beginning a major rebuilding project in the SEC.
One of the biggest developments following his hiring came when starting quarterback Byrum Brown also chose to leave South Florida and transfer to Auburn.
Rather than starting over with a new coaching staff, Brown elected to continue developing under the coach who helped guide his growth, giving the Tigers an experienced quarterback already familiar with Golesh’s offensive system.
Expectations Rising for the Tigers
Tuesday’s appearance wasn’t simply about revisiting old memories—it also highlighted the growing excitement surrounding Auburn heading into the 2026 season.
Golesh and Brown are expected to play central roles as the Tigers attempt to climb back into contention in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
With SEC Media Days serving as the unofficial start of the new season, Auburn’s leadership used the opportunity to showcase the program’s new direction while returning to a city that played a major role in their football journey.
For Golesh and Brown, Tampa represented both a celebration of past success and a reminder that even bigger expectations now await them at Auburn.
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