Did Auburn Football Ponder a Hugh Freeze Firing in 2024? John Cohen Explains
Auburn University football has experienced a significant amount of uncertainty in recent years, with the program transitioning through multiple head coaches and leadership changes. After an abrupt and highly publicized departure of former head coach Bryan Harsin in 2022, Auburn hired Hugh Freeze in the hopes of stabilizing the program and returning to its former competitive heights. However, despite Freeze’s pedigree as a successful coach, rumors began swirling during the 2024 season that Auburn might be considering parting ways with him. These discussions raised questions about the future of the program, and whether the university had doubts about Freeze’s ability to turn Auburn football into a consistent contender.
To understand whether a Hugh Freeze firing was a serious consideration, it is important to dive into the context surrounding the program’s performance, Freeze’s tenure, and the comments made by Auburn’s athletic director, John Cohen, regarding the future of the team. In interviews and public statements, Cohen has provided insight into the direction of the football program and the factors that would contribute to Freeze’s future.
Hugh Freeze’s First Year and Expectations at Auburn
When Hugh Freeze was hired in November 2022, it came after a turbulent period for Auburn football. The school had parted ways with Bryan Harsin mid-season, citing both on-field struggles and off-field issues. Freeze, who had previously found success as a head coach at Ole Miss and Liberty, was seen as an experienced leader capable of returning Auburn to national prominence.
Freeze’s arrival was met with high expectations. While Auburn football was not in the same position as some of the powerhouses of the SEC, it still had a passionate fanbase and a commitment to winning. However, Freeze’s first season in 2023 did not exactly match those high expectations. While Auburn did improve from the Harsin era, the team’s performance was uneven, and the program struggled in critical games, especially in SEC play. Auburn ended the 2023 season with a record of 6-6, which meant that the team would be eligible for a bowl game, but the road ahead looked challenging.
Despite the mediocrity, Freeze’s track record of building competitive programs at Ole Miss and Liberty led many to believe he was a long-term solution. But Auburn’s leadership, particularly athletic director John Cohen, had to evaluate whether the improvements under Freeze were enough or whether the program’s trajectory warranted a change.
John Cohen’s Role and Leadership at Auburn
John Cohen, who became Auburn’s athletic director in 2022, is widely regarded as a seasoned administrator with a deep understanding of college athletics. Cohen had previously served as the athletic director at Mississippi State, where he helped oversee the development of the school’s football program and brought in coaches who improved the overall performance of the athletic department.
Cohen’s hiring at Auburn came at a crucial moment for the football program, and his tenure has been marked by both challenges and opportunities. One of his first major decisions was to hire Freeze, but Cohen also recognized the weight of maintaining a competitive program in the hyper-competitive SEC.
Cohen’s approach to leadership at Auburn has been one of stability, which led many to believe that firing a head coach like Freeze after only one or two seasons would be inconsistent with his broader strategy. However, as the 2024 season progressed, the pressure on both Freeze and Cohen grew. Auburn fans and boosters expect competitive teams that can compete for SEC titles and national championships, and anything short of that might prompt a reassessment of Freeze’s position.
Did Auburn Football Ponder a Hugh Freeze Firing?
As the 2024 season unfolded, there was growing speculation about Hugh Freeze’s job security, especially after Auburn’s struggles on the field. The Tigers were once again failing to challenge the elite teams in the SEC, with losses in key matchups to top-tier programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. These defeats, combined with inconsistent performances against mid-tier teams, led to questions about Freeze’s ability to elevate the program to the level Auburn’s fans expected.
However, John Cohen was quick to address these concerns. In a press conference midway through the 2024 season, Cohen made it clear that a coaching change was not imminent. Cohen emphasized that his commitment to Freeze had not wavered and that the program was focused on long-term growth. He pointed to the challenges of rebuilding a program in a highly competitive conference and the importance of stability in achieving sustained success.
“Change for the sake of change is not something we believe in at Auburn,” Cohen stated. “We’re in the midst of a process. We understand the expectations of our fans and alumni, but we also know that building a championship-caliber program takes time. Hugh Freeze is a part of that process.”
Cohen’s comments reflected a broader philosophy of patience and investment in long-term success. He made it clear that he believed Freeze had the potential to get Auburn back to prominence, but it would require time to build the necessary infrastructure and recruit elite talent. Cohen stressed that Auburn’s support of Freeze was unwavering, and that any potential decisions about his future would not be made hastily or without careful consideration.
The Importance of Recruiting and Program Building
While on-field performance is the most visible aspect of any football program, recruiting is often where championships are won. Auburn’s struggles in recruiting had been a contributing factor to its decline in recent years. Under Freeze’s leadership, the program had made significant strides in this area. Freeze had been able to attract several high-profile recruits and was building a more competitive roster, especially with an emphasis on improving the offensive and defensive lines.
In his statements, Cohen highlighted the recruiting improvements as a sign of progress, even if it had not yet translated into immediate on-field success. “Building a program is about more than just wins and losses in year one or year two,” Cohen said. “It’s about building depth, creating a sustainable culture, and putting yourself in position to win for years to come.”
Despite the struggles in 2024, Cohen recognized that the foundation for future success was being laid through strong recruiting classes. This insight suggested that Auburn was not rushing to fire Freeze based on a lack of immediate results but rather was taking a more measured approach, understanding that consistency in leadership would pay off in the long run.
The Role of Auburn’s Fanbase and Boosters
One of the most significant factors influencing coaching decisions at programs like Auburn is the expectations of the fanbase and wealthy boosters who are closely involved with the university’s athletics. Auburn’s fans, particularly those invested in the football program, are notoriously demanding. Many expect the team to be competitive with the SEC’s elite programs, and they are often vocal when the team falls short of those expectations.
However, Cohen was quick to note that he had been in constant communication with both fans and boosters. While Auburn’s fanbase certainly had high expectations, Cohen made it clear that he was not going to be swayed by external pressure alone. “We appreciate the passion of our fans,” he said. “But ultimately, the decisions about the future of Auburn football will be based on what’s best for the long-term health of the program, not just short-term reactions.”
Cohen’s commitment to ensuring a stable, thoughtful decision-making process was essential in quelling rumors about Freeze’s job security. While the fanbase’s impatience may have been palpable at times, Cohen’s leadership was central to the message that Auburn football was not a program that would make rash decisions based on a single disappointing season.
