Hugh Freeze Named Auburn Football Coach
A Look at a Controversial Hire
Upside and Risk
Hugh Freeze has been named the 31st head football coach in Auburn's 129-year history. The move comes with both upside on the field and the risk of embarrassment off it.
Freeze, 53, has a successful track record as a head coach at the collegiate level. He led Ole Miss to a 39-25 record and three bowl victories from 2012 to 2016. He also led Liberty to a 34-15 record and two bowl victories from 2019 to 2022.
However, Freeze was fired from Ole Miss in 2016 for "personal misconduct." The NCAA later found that Freeze had violated ethical conduct rules by making impermissible contact with recruits and their families.
Auburn athletic director John Cohen said he is aware of Freeze's past but believes that he has learned from his mistakes.
"Hugh is a proven winner on the field," Cohen said. "He is also a man of faith who is committed to doing things the right way. We believe that he is the right person to lead our football program."
Some Auburn fans are skeptical of Freeze's hiring. They worry that he will bring the same kind of off-field problems to Auburn that he had at Ole Miss.
"I'm concerned about Hugh Freeze's past," said one fan. "I don't want him to bring that kind of baggage to Auburn."
Others are more optimistic. They believe that Freeze can turn Auburn's football program around on the field.
"I think Hugh Freeze is a great coach," said another fan. "I believe he can win at Auburn."
Only time will tell whether Auburn made the right decision in hiring Hugh Freeze. But one thing is for sure: Freeze's hiring is a gamble. He has the potential to be a great coach, but he also has the potential to be a major headache.
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