Veteran defensive coach Coleman Hutzler has joined Auburn Football as an assistant coach, where he will work with the Bucks and Edges on defense. The announcement was made by head coach Alex Golesh.
“We’re excited to add Coach Hutzler and his family to our program,” Golesh said. “His strong SEC experience and proven ability as a recruiter will be invaluable to Auburn Football. Coleman also has multiple years of experience working with Coach Durkin and our defensive scheme, which allows for a smooth transition. He is an elite developer of talent that has produced more than a dozen NFL players and will make a tremendous impact on our program.”
Hutzler brings two decades of coaching experience, including ten years in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Most recently, he served as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State for two seasons. During his time there, three defenders ranked among the top three in tackles in the league, including the top two tacklers in 2024. His 2025 unit finished third in the SEC with 12 interceptions and improved across all major defensive categories from his first to second season.
Throughout his career, Hutzler’s players have earned over 30 all-conference honors, more than 25 All-America accolades, four conference player of the year awards, and four national player of the year recognitions.
Before joining Mississippi State, Hutzler worked at Alabama as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. Under his guidance, Alabama’s special teams became one of the nation’s best units. He mentored kicker Will Reichard—college football’s all-time leading scorer—and helped develop a defense that ranked in the top 25 nationally for sacks and tackles for loss during both seasons. In his first year at Alabama, outside linebacker Will Anders Jr. won several national awards.
Hutzler’s previous roles include special teams coordinator at Ole Miss in 2021; co-defensive coordinator at Texas in 2020; special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at South Carolina from 2016-19; and similar positions at Florida in 2014.
He began his coaching career at San Diego before moving on to Stanford as a recruiting assistant and then defensive assistant from 2007-09. Other stops include New Mexico (special teams coordinator/outside linebackers) from 2012-13 and Boston College (special teams coordinator/outside linebackers) in 2015.
A Las Vegas native, Hutzler played linebacker at Middlebury College in Vermont where he was team captain as a senior and graduated with a degree in psychology.
Hutzler is married to Cobey Hutzler; they have two children.
