Coaching Background and Experience
Joel Gordon brings over a decade of college football coaching experience to Auburn. He has worked at multiple levels of college football, from smaller programs like Emory & Henry and Shepherd to major conference schools. His most notable recent success came at the University of South Florida, where he spent three seasons developing one of the nation's most dynamic offenses.
Gordon's coaching career demonstrates a pattern of success in offensive development and quarterback coaching. His ability to mentor quarterbacks and create productive offensive systems has made him a sought-after coach in the college football landscape. His previous work with Alex Golesh at Iowa State established a strong foundation for their new partnership at Auburn.
Success at University of South Florida
During his three years as offensive coordinator at USF from 2023 to 2025, Gordon transformed the Bulls' offensive capabilities. The offense ranked No. 2 nationally in yards per game with 501.7 yards per contest, demonstrating the effectiveness of his offensive schemes and play-calling.
Gordon's most significant achievement at South Florida was developing quarterback Byrum Brown into an elite dual-threat performer. Brown's 2024 season was historic, making him just the 12th player in FBS history to achieve both 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. This accomplishment showcases Gordon's ability to develop quarterback talent and create offensive systems that maximize player potential.
Auburn Appointment and Future Impact
Gordon's hiring as Auburn's offensive coordinator marks a significant move for the Tigers' football program under new head coach Alex Golesh. The appointment reflects Golesh's confidence in Gordon's ability to build a successful offensive system at Auburn, drawing on their previous working relationship at Iowa State.
As part of Golesh's inaugural staff at Auburn, Gordon will be responsible for coordinating the offensive strategy and developing the Tigers' quarterbacks. His track record of offensive success and quarterback development positions him to make an immediate impact on Auburn's football program as it enters a new era under Golesh's leadership.