In a surprising development, Auburn University has announced the termination of head football coach Hugh Freeze, effective immediately. This decision comes after a series of disappointing seasons and recent revelations concerning NCAA violations under Freeze’s tenure.
Hugh Freeze was appointed as Auburn’s head coach in 2023, bringing with him a reputation for offensive innovation and previous success in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). However, his tenure at Auburn failed to meet expectations. Over two seasons, the Tigers amassed a record of 9-13, including a 5-7 campaign in 2024. Notably, a 17-7 loss to Vanderbilt on November 2, 2024, marked Auburn’s first-ever home defeat to the Commodores and highlighted the team’s struggles under Freeze’s leadership. This loss also gave Freeze a worse record through two seasons than his predecessor, Bryan Harsin, who was dismissed after a 9-12 record.
The team’s performance issues were compounded by offensive inefficiencies. Despite making a bowl game in 2023, the Tigers ranked 13th in the SEC in scoring offense during the 2024 season. Auburn’s offense averaged just 26 points per game and struggled significantly in the passing game, ranking 121st out of 130 FBS teams with an average of 162.2 passing yards per game. These challenges culminated in a 31-13 loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl on December 30, 2024, where the Tigers managed only 300 total yards.
In addition to on-field struggles, recent reports have surfaced regarding NCAA investigations into recruitment violations and alleged unethical conduct during Freeze’s tenure at Auburn. These allegations include improper benefits provided to recruits and violations of NCAA regulations concerning communication and compliance. The NCAA’s findings led to a six-year suspension for Freeze, rendering him ineligible to coach or have any direct involvement with the Auburn football program during this period.
The combination of lackluster performance and the severity of the NCAA
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