Auburn Hires Hugh Freeze as Head Football Coach
Alabama Native Returns to SEC with Tigers
Former Ole Miss and Liberty Coach Brings Winning Pedigree to Auburn
Auburn University Athletics Director John Cohen announced Monday the hiring of Hugh Freeze as the 31st head football coach in Auburn's 129-year history. The announcement comes after a thorough search process following the firing of former head coach Bryan Harsin.
Freeze, a native of Alabama, has a proven track record of success at both Ole Miss and Liberty. At Ole Miss, he led the Rebels to two bowl victories and a Sugar Bowl appearance. At Liberty, he guided the Flames to three bowl wins and two top-25 finishes in five seasons.
"Hugh Freeze is a proven winner with a strong track record of success on and off the field," Cohen said in a statement. "His familiarity with the SEC and his ability to build a strong program make him the ideal choice to lead Auburn football."
Freeze's hiring brings both promise and potential risks for Auburn. On the field, he has shown an ability to develop talented players and lead teams to success. However, his past off-field conduct at Ole Miss raises concerns about his personal character and the university's reputation.
Auburn will be Freeze's third head coaching job in the SEC, where he previously led Ole Miss from 2012 to 2016. He inherits a program that has struggled in recent years, finishing with a 5-7 record in the 2022 season.
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