VIDEO: DJ Durkin Press Conference

DJ Durkin‘s first press conference as the Tigers’ interim head coach certainly was interesting.

The former Maryland head coach, now in his second season as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, said he’s changing nothing on the defensive side of the ball. He will continue to call plays as he’s been doing all along. On the other side of the ball, however, Durkin is empowering offensive coordinator Derrick Nix to call plays without any specific oversight.

Nix has been the Tigers’ offensive coordinator for two years. Still, ousted coach Hugh Freeze was calling plays on Saturdays despite indicating that different coaches were responsible for play calls on specific downs.

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“He’ll be the play caller every down and he’s the sole play-caller,” Durkin said. “I have extreme confidence in Derrick. He and I have worked together in previous stops as well. Another great person and a great coach. I think the players really respond to him. We’ll be aggressive in everything we do.”

Durkin also said some off-the-field changes have been made to the staff, but nothing is changing on the field. He said they’ll continue assessing quarterbacks Ashton Daniels, Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight for the starting job moving forward.

Auburn resumes play Saturday afternoon at Vanderbilt.