Auburn Dismisses Coach Hugh Freeze Following Defeat Against Kentucky
Auburn University has officially dismissed head football coach Hugh Freeze following a disappointing 10-3 loss to Kentucky. This decision concludes a tumultuous tenure that lasted less than three years. Auburn’s football program is now on the lookout for its third full-time head coach since letting go of Gus Malzahn at the end of the 2020 season.
Auburn’s Football Struggles Under Freeze
Hugh Freeze was hired in early 2023 with high hopes. However, his time at Auburn has been marked by challenges, both on and off the field. With a current season record of 4-5 and a 1-5 mark in the SEC, Freeze finishes his Auburn career with a record of 15-19.
- Overall record: 4-5
- SEC record: 1-5
- Final record at Auburn: 15-19
The school’s administration faced backlash over Freeze’s hiring due to his controversial past, which included NCAA violations from his time at Ole Miss and issues during his stint at Liberty. Nevertheless, Auburn’s athletic director, John Cohen, expressed appreciation for Freeze’s commitment to the program in his official statement regarding the dismissal.
Key Events of Freeze’s Tenure
Throughout his leadership, Auburn encountered several narrow defeats against top rivals and elite teams, including:
- Losses to Georgia (2023 and 2024)
- Loss to Alabama (2023)
- Embarrassing home losses to New Mexico State (2023), Cal, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt (2024)
The final match against Kentucky was particularly damaging since the Wildcats were on a 10-game losing streak in the SEC. This prompted Cohen to announce a change in leadership, stating, “Our expectations for Auburn Football are to annually compete for championships.”
Transition to Interim Leadership
In the wake of Freeze’s departure, defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has been appointed as the interim head coach. Durkin arrives with his own complicated history, including a controversial tenure at Maryland and past roles at four SEC schools. He aims to stabilize a program currently in flux.
Financial Implications of the Dismissal
The financial fallout from Freeze’s exit is significant. Auburn is obligated to pay a buyout of $15.7 million, which will be disbursed in monthly payments until 2028. Notably, this buyout will not be reduced by any salary Freeze earns from future employment.
Auburn’s Future Coaching Prospects
With this coaching change, Auburn must search for its next full-time head coach. Previous appointments, like Bryan Harsin and interim coach Cadillac Williams, have not yielded the desired results. The football program hopes to turn around its fortunes with a fresh leadership approach.
As Auburn embarks on this new chapter, the need for strong leadership to rejuvenate the football program has never been more critical.
