Hugh Freeze’s tenure as head coach of the Auburn Tigers has been under intense scrutiny since he took over in late 2022, and it comes as no surprise that ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg has included him on his hot seat list for 2025. In just two seasons at the helm, Freeze has posted a disappointing 11-14 overall record, including a 5-11 mark in SEC play. This record places him among several other high-profile coaches, including Florida State’s Mike Norvell, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, as individuals facing growing pressure to deliver results in the near future.
Freeze’s return to the Southeastern Conference was met with a great deal of excitement, especially given his past success at Ole Miss and his ties to the region. His hiring sparked widespread optimism among Auburn fans, who hoped his arrival would help restore the program to prominence after several years of underperformance. The Tigers, a proud SEC program, had fallen off after the departure of former head coach Gus Malzahn, and Freeze was seen as a coach capable of turning things around. His experience and previous results in the SEC, particularly his ability to recruit and develop talent, made him a compelling choice.
However, while Freeze’s resume indicated he had the tools to succeed in the SEC, his performance at Auburn has not yet lived up to the hype. Despite taking over a program in disarray, Auburn fans were hopeful that Freeze could quickly fix the issues and lead the team back to relevance in the competitive SEC. Yet, after two seasons, the Tigers have failed to meet expectations, both in terms of win-loss records and in-game performance.
One of the most glaring issues with Freeze’s tenure thus far has been Auburn’s struggles in key home games. In 2023 alone, the Tigers lost home games to teams that historically should not have been able to compete with Auburn, including New Mexico State, Cal, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma. These defeats were not only shocking but also damaging to the program’s morale and national reputation. The losses left fans and analysts questioning Freeze’s ability to make the necessary adjustments and lead Auburn back to the top of the SEC.
Rittenberg’s analysis points out that despite the roster Freeze inherited being in a difficult state, the expectations for his performance were higher than what the Tigers have shown on the field. Auburn fans had hoped Freeze could quickly restore the program to SEC contention, but two years of mediocrity have only made the wait feel longer. It is one thing to face struggles early on with a rebuilding program, but it is another to see consistent, preventable losses. While Auburn fans are still waiting for a turnaround, the reality is that time is not on Freeze’s side.
Freeze’s challenges are compounded by the immense pressure that comes with coaching in the SEC, one of the most competitive conferences in college football. Success in the SEC is not just measured by wins but by how well teams compete against conference heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and others. With such stiff competition, Auburn cannot afford to remain in the middle of the pack for much longer. And while Freeze has brought in top-tier recruits and worked to improve the program’s local ties, it is clear that tangible results are expected much sooner than later.
Recruitment is an area where Freeze has shown potential, particularly in terms of building relationships in the state of Alabama and the broader SEC footprint. His deep roots in the South and connections in high school football give him a unique advantage when it comes to attracting talent to Auburn. However, recruiting alone is not enough to justify Freeze’s tenure if his teams fail to execute on the field. The pressure to win on Saturdays has to match his recruiting success, and so far, Auburn has not consistently demonstrated the type of on-field performance necessary to compete for championships or major bowl games.
Beyond the struggles in big home games, Freeze’s tenure has also been marred by an inability to close out tight contests. While Auburn has had flashes of brilliance, they have often faltered when the stakes were highest. This inability to finish games and secure wins against evenly matched opponents has been a consistent theme under Freeze, and it raises questions about his ability to manage in critical moments.
Despite these setbacks, there is still a belief that Freeze can turn things around, but it remains unclear whether he will be given enough time to do so. The expectations at Auburn are high, and the program’s administration will be looking for clear signs of improvement in 2025. Freeze’s future at Auburn hinges on his ability to lead the Tigers to more consistent performances, better game management, and, ultimately, wins in critical SEC matchups. If he cannot show significant progress, his job security will continue to be a topic of conversation among fans and analysts.
The pressure on Freeze will likely increase as the 2025 season progresses. A failure to win key games, especially against teams in the SEC, could lead to further questions about his ability to restore Auburn’s program to its former glory. In particular, Freeze will be scrutinized for his team’s ability to compete against the SEC’s elite programs. If the Tigers continue to struggle in these matchups, it will become increasingly difficult for Freeze to justify his position at Auburn.
For Freeze, the clock is ticking, and 2025 could very well be a make-or-break year. His recruiting efforts, leadership, and ability to manage games will all be tested as he tries to avoid being another high-profile coaching casualty in the SEC. It is clear that the Auburn administration and its fan base expect more than just flashes of success; they want a consistent contender in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
In conclusion, Hugh Freeze finds himself on the coaching hot seat heading into the 2025 season. Despite the early struggles, he still has the opportunity to prove himself and turn the program around. But Auburn’s patience is wearing thin, and another disappointing season could spell the end of Freeze’s tenure in the Plains. It will be up to him to demonstrate that he can take Auburn to the next level, both on the recruiting trail and on the field, in order to keep his job and secure a future with the Tigers. Time is running out, and 2025 will be the year that determines whether Freeze’s vision for Auburn can become a reality.
