John Cohen recognizes that Auburn baseball significantly underperformed in 2024. The Tigers ended the season with a disappointing 27-26 overall record and went just 8-22 in SEC play, missing both the SEC Tournament and NCAA regionals for the second time in four years—despite reaching the College World Series only two seasons earlier.
However, the 2025 campaign has marked a major turnaround. Auburn now boasts a 33-15 record (13-11 in the SEC) and is part of a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference heading into a weekend series against South Carolina at Plainsman Park. The team is ranked No. 5 nationally, coming off an impressive series win over reigning College World Series champion Tennessee.According to Cohen, the key difference has been the pitching.
“What you’re seeing now is a pitching staff with swing-and-miss stuff,” Auburn’s athletic director told AL.com. “These are guys who throw strikes and can generate strikeouts. In college baseball, that’s what I call the great eraser.”
Cohen, who previously coached at Kentucky and Mississippi State before serving as Mississippi State’s AD in 2016, took over the same role at Auburn in 2022. His former assistant at Mississippi State, Butch Thompson, has since led Auburn to two College World Series berths and is aiming for a third in 2025.
After facing South Carolina, the Tigers will host Jacksonville State for their final home game before concluding the regular season on the road against Ole Miss from May 15-17.