Hugh Freeze is expected to make it through the 2024 season, even if Auburn football ends up with a 4-8 record. However, it seems the Tigers are willing to give him enough leeway to continue through the 2025 and 2026 seasons, regardless of Auburn’s performance.
247Sports’ Phillip Marshall mentioned this on Twitter in response to an Auburn University professor questioning how long Freeze would have to prove himself beyond just promises and excuses.
“He will get a third year and a fourth year,” Marshall stated on October 19, adding, “His superiors are fully behind him. They understand the mess he inherited and the progress he’s making in recruiting.”
Hugh Freeze is lucky Bryan Harsin preceded him as Auburn football’s head coach
So now it’s back to blaming Bryan Harsin for Hugh Freeze’s struggles, even though the current roster is largely made up of players Freeze has recruited since taking over in November 2022?
Freeze sure seems to have a sweet deal: no accountability, as the blame keeps getting pinned on the last guy.
The idea of giving Freeze extra time because the program isn’t where it should be does have some logic. Auburn’s Week 8 loss to Missouri is a prime example of the difference patience with a head coach can make. Eli Drinkwitz is doing wonders at Mizzou by sticking around.
But seriously, in the NIL era, coaches are flipping programs in a single recruiting cycle. Look at Sonny Dykes at TCU or Curt Cignetti at Indiana—both are proving that the narrative of needing more time is outdated.
If you want to argue the SEC is different, fine. Billy Napier has struggled at Florida, Brent Venables isn’t getting it done at Oklahoma, and even Kalen DeBoer is having trouble with the situation he inherited from Nick Saban at Alabama.
But then there’s Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss was winning 10 games by his second season.
At some point, Freeze has to stop selling fans on future potential and start delivering real success in the present.
Harsin can’t be the scapegoat forever. Although if you ask Auburn’s beat reporters, it seems like he might just stick around as one.
Leave a Reply