Auburn Hires Hugh Freeze as Head Football Coach
A Move with Both Upside and Risk
Auburn, Alabama
Hugh Freeze has been named the 31st head football coach in Auburn's 129-year history, Athletics Director John Cohen announced Monday.
Freeze, 53, has a successful track record as a high school football coach at Briarcrest Christian in Memphis, Tennessee. He also led Ole Miss to three consecutive bowl games from 2014 to 2016 before resigning amid controversy in 2017.
After a brief stint as the head coach at Liberty University, Freeze returns to the Southeastern Conference with Auburn, which is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2022.
Freeze's hiring has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans are excited about his potential to turn around Auburn's football program, while others are concerned about his off-field issues.
In 2016, Freeze was investigated by the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations. He was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing, but the investigation cast a shadow over his tenure at Ole Miss.
Despite the concerns, Auburn believes that Freeze is the right man to lead its football program. Cohen said in a statement that Freeze is "a proven winner with a strong track record of success." Freeze also expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach at Auburn.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Auburn football program," Freeze said in a statement. "Auburn is a special place with a rich tradition and passionate fan base. I am excited to get to work and build on the success of this program."
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