AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn University has officially parted ways with head football coach Hugh Freeze following a disappointing start to the 2024 season, the school announced Monday. The decision comes just five games into Freeze’s second year with the program, with the Tigers holding a lackluster 2-3 record and struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball.
Athletic Director John Cohen released a statement addressing the decision, emphasizing the need for a fresh direction for the storied program.
“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the current state of our football program, we have decided to move in a different direction,” Cohen said. “This was a difficult decision, but we are committed to putting Auburn football in the best position to succeed. We thank Coach Freeze for his efforts and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Hugh Freeze was hired by Auburn in December 2022, taking over after a turbulent period for the program. Known for his offensive acumen and past success at Ole Miss, Freeze was expected to bring a rejuvenated energy to Auburn’s football program. However, his tenure was marred by inconsistent play and an inability to build momentum within the highly competitive SEC.
In his first season in 2023, Freeze led Auburn to a 7-6 record, including a victory in the Birmingham Bowl. While the program showed glimpses of potential, it struggled to keep pace with SEC powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Hopes were high for a turnaround in 2024, but early losses to conference rivals and a lack of offensive cohesion led to increasing discontent from fans and boosters.
One of the major criticisms during Freeze’s tenure was the lack of development at the quarterback position. Despite signing top-tier talent, Auburn’s offense sputtered in key moments, and the team ranked near the bottom of the SEC in passing efficiency. Injuries and inconsistent play on the offensive line compounded the team’s struggles.
Reports of unrest within the locker room and doubts about Freeze’s ability to recruit at a level needed to compete in the SEC only added to the pressure. Over the past few weeks, speculation had been mounting about Freeze’s future with the Tigers, and the decisive losses to both Texas A&M and LSU appeared to seal his fate.
Auburn will now begin its search for a new head coach, a process that is expected to attract national attention. Cohen emphasized that the search will be thorough and exhaustive, with the goal of finding a leader capable of restoring Auburn to its traditional place among the nation’s elite programs.
“In the coming weeks, we will conduct a national search for our next head football coach,” Cohen said. “Auburn has a proud football tradition, and we are committed to bringing in a coach who understands the values of this program and has the ability to compete for championships.”
Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. Roberts, who joined Auburn in 2023, is highly respected within the coaching community and has been credited with helping to improve the Tigers’ defensive unit during his time with the team.
Freeze’s departure marks yet another chapter in Auburn’s recent history of coaching turnover. The Tigers have now parted ways with three head coaches in the last five years, a reflection of the high expectations and competitive nature of the program.
As Auburn looks to the future, the focus will now shift to finding a coach capable of competing in the ever-intensifying SEC, which has seen the rise of programs like Georgia and LSU to national prominence. Auburn fans and alumni will be hoping that the next hire will finally bring stability and sustained success to a program that has long been seen as one of college football’s most prestigious.
Freeze, meanwhile, leaves Auburn with a career record of 9-9 in two seasons. His future in coaching remains uncertain, though his track record of success in previous stints at Ole Miss and Liberty may still make him a candidate for future positions in college football.
For now, Auburn is once again at a crossroads, as the university embarks on the search for its next head coach, hoping to restore the Tigers to the top of the college football world.
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