Staff continuity plays a crucial role in maintaining a successful program in college football. It’s not just about having a good head coach; the entire coaching staff must work in harmony to create a consistent and effective strategy. This is something that Auburn football has struggled with in recent years, especially in the aftermath of Hugh Freeze’s arrival in 2023. The first two seasons of Freeze’s tenure were marked by a significant amount of turnover on the coaching staff, which had an impact on the team’s overall performance.
In his first year at Auburn, Freeze brought in a new coaching staff that he believed would be able to change the trajectory of the program. However, despite the new look, Auburn finished the 2023 season with a disappointing 6-6 record, barely scraping through to a bowl game. It was clear that while Freeze had implemented a new system and philosophy, the staff was still adjusting to the program, and this lack of cohesion on the coaching front likely contributed to the team’s underperformance.
However, in the second year of his tenure (2024), things took another turn. The Auburn Tigers experienced a regression in performance, finishing with a 5-7 record and failing to qualify for a bowl game. This was a major setback for a program that had high hopes for progress under Freeze’s leadership. While multiple factors contributed to this outcome—including injuries, player development issues, and inconsistent play—the lack of continuity in the coaching staff was an important issue that Freeze and the Auburn program had to address.
One of the most significant changes in Freeze’s second year was his decision to overhaul the coaching staff once again. For many programs, this level of turnover can create chaos and a lack of direction. New coaches bring new systems, philosophies, and styles, but it often takes time for these changes to fully take root, especially when players are forced to adjust to yet another new system. For Auburn, the results of this staffing change were disappointing, as the team failed to make progress in the win-loss column.
However, Freeze has recognized the importance of stability heading into his third season with the Tigers. While change is often necessary for a program to evolve, the consistency and familiarity of a coaching staff can help players settle in and execute their roles more effectively. For Freeze, the goal going into the 2025 season is clear: maintain a stable coaching staff and build on the foundation that has been set, while bringing in familiar faces to fill key roles.
One of the first steps in achieving this stability was to retain the majority of his coaching staff from the previous season. While two on-field coaches are leaving, the majority of the staff will remain intact, which provides the team with continuity heading into the next season. This will be crucial for the development of Auburn’s players, as the program moves forward with an experienced and cohesive coaching unit.
The two new defensive assistants brought in by Freeze are T.J. Rushing and Roc Bellantoni. Rushing will be taking over as the safeties coach, while Bellantoni will be returning to Auburn to coach the outside linebackers. Both of these hires are interesting for different reasons, but they share a common thread: familiarity with Auburn and its staff.
Roc Bellantoni, in particular, is a familiar face to Auburn fans. He served as the Tigers’ outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator during the 2022 season under Bryan Harsin. Although his time with Auburn was relatively short, Bellantoni has built a long and successful coaching career, which includes stints at Florida Atlantic and several other programs. In his return to Auburn, Bellantoni will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, especially in coaching linebackers and special teams. His familiarity with the program will help reduce the learning curve for players, and his extensive background will undoubtedly benefit Auburn’s defense as a whole.
Similarly, T.J. Rushing is no stranger to Auburn. Rushing spent the 2024 season working as a special assistant to the head coach, which allowed him to gain a better understanding of the program’s culture and the players he will now be working with. Additionally, Rushing has a solid background in coaching defensive backs, having spent time at Texas A&M with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. His experience in Durkin’s defensive system will be valuable for Auburn, as Rushing is well-acquainted with the type of defense Freeze is trying to build in the SEC. By bringing Rushing into a more prominent coaching role, Freeze ensures that the defensive staff will have a coach who is already familiar with the program’s personnel and needs.
These coaching changes signify a shift in Freeze’s approach to building a stable and successful Auburn program. By bringing in Rushing and Bellantoni—coaches who have experience with Freeze, his system, and the players—they will provide a level of continuity that the team lacked in previous seasons. This stability is essential for both player development and recruiting, as players need to trust that the coaching staff will remain consistent throughout their time at Auburn.
Freeze’s comments on the new hires demonstrate his confidence in Rushing and Bellantoni, as well as his commitment to improving Auburn’s football program. “We’re excited to move T.J. back into an on-field role as well as welcome Roc back to the Plains,” Freeze said in a release. “T.J. has a Super Bowl champion pedigree and is an outstanding coach who relates very well with our players. Roc has a wealth of knowledge and experienced a lot of success in three decades of coaching at various levels during his career.”
Rushing’s background in coaching defensive backs at Texas A&M and his familiarity with Durkin’s defense will be critical for Auburn’s defensive success. Bellantoni, with his deep experience as a linebackers coach, will bring valuable expertise to Auburn’s defensive front. Both coaches are well-suited to help the Tigers compete in the highly competitive SEC.
As Freeze enters his third year at Auburn, the changes to his coaching staff reflect a new direction for the program—one that emphasizes consistency, stability, and a long-term approach. The goal is to continue building a strong foundation for Auburn football, and the retention of key staff members, along with the addition of experienced coaches like Rushing and Bellantoni, will be essential in achieving that vision.
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how the 2025 season will unfold, one thing is clear: Freeze and Auburn are committed to making the necessary adjustments to ensure that the coaching staff remains a driving force behind the program’s success. With more stability in place and familiar faces taking on new roles, Auburn football is poised for an exciting season ahead, and the continuity within the staff will only help elevate the team to new heights.
