John Cohen will remain in Auburn at least through 2029, following a contract extension signed on May 2 and obtained by AL.com via a public records request.
Cohen is committed to a long-term stay at Auburn after leaving his position as athletic director at Mississippi State, his alma mater, in late 2022. Cohen and his wife Nelle, both Tuscaloosa natives, had discussed retiring in Auburn long before he became the athletic director there.
“When I turned 50, Nelle and I thought about our future retirement, and I suggested Auburn,” Cohen said in an interview with AL.com. “She asked why, and I pointed out its proximity to the Atlanta airport, the Gulf of Mexico, the great town and golfing community, and the outstanding public school system. Auburn always stood out to us as a wonderful place.”
Cohen added, “I don’t want to live anywhere else.”
At 57, retirement is still far off for Cohen, but his new contract solidifies his commitment to Auburn about 18 months into the job. During this time, Cohen has hired a new football head coach and women’s tennis head coach, overseen and directed a previously approved baseball stadium renovation, and initiated significant steps toward replacing the north endzone scoreboard at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He also helped negotiate Auburn’s new apparel deal with Nike.
Cohen described his first year at Auburn as if he were a freshman figuring out the town and the school’s needs. Now, he feels much more confident in his role.
“I have had the privilege of living in many SEC cities, and Auburn is certainly at the top,” Cohen said.
Long-term goals for Cohen include expanding premium seating options across Auburn’s athletic venues and a complete renovation of the Jordan-Hare Stadium north endzone stands into an enhanced mezzanine.
As he enters his second year, Cohen expects increasing productivity as he becomes more comfortable with Auburn’s framework.
“I feel extremely privileged to be a part of Auburn,” Cohen said. “I’m very grateful for the embrace from all stakeholders. We have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited about the direction we’re heading.”
