Hugh Freeze fired by Auburn amid 15-19 record in three seasons coaching Tigers

Auburn fired coach Hugh Freeze just one day after the Tigers held off by three points in a disappointing home loss to Kentucky, the program’s fifth setback in six games this season against SEC competition, CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello, Matt Zenitz and Richard Johnson reported.

“I have informed Coach Freeze of my decision to make a leadership change in the Auburn football program,” Auburn athletic director John Cohen said in a statement released by the school. “Coach Freese is a man of integrity, and we appreciate his investment in Auburn and his hard work over the past three years in strengthening our roster. Our expectations for Auburn football are to compete annually for championships and the search for the next leader of the Auburn football team begins immediately.”

The Tigers fell to 1-5 in conference play midway through Freeze’s third season with Ball’s hopes hanging by a thread at 4-5 overall with games remaining against Vanderbilt, Mercer and Alabama. Auburn has won 19 of its previous 20 matchups with Kentucky dating back to 1967.

Marcelo reported that defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will serve as the team’s interim head coach.

This will be the third time since 2020 that the Tigers have looked for a new coach, meaning Auburn will foot the bill. Another big acquisition as well.

Freeze Auburn’s buyout is $15.4 millionnearly identical to the total amount the Tigers paid Bryan Harsin eight games into his second season in 2022 amid the program’s internal misfires and on-field struggles. Freeze signed a six-year deal that same year worth $39 million.

Cheers erupted from the student section during Auburn’s loss to Kentucky and continued even after the final whistle. The Wildcats tallied seven sacks against a struggling offense led by Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, who made his first start for Auburn amid season-long issues with Jackson Arnold.

In short, a new-look Freeze offense loaded with gateway talent never really took off in 2025. After strong efforts on the recruiting trail in recent years, Auburn’s 2026 efforts were poor; What on Sunday was a classroom of 14 students was tracked down to be the school classroom Worst of the 247Sports Era (2010-).

“I wish I could ask for patience, but that’s not something people are willing to give in this day and time, but I understand that.” Freeze said after the game In his appeal to the masses. “I know we’re very close and if we had had some things go our way earlier in the year, we’d be looking at a completely different deal. But that’s not the case, and that’s life. And that’s the game of football and we’ve learned a lot of great things and a lot of difficult things. We’ll get up and get ready for the next game.”

“I would like them to be patient. But I understand that maybe you don’t have patience with them, because they want to see a better product on the field and so do I. So, I understand that.”

Auburn lost at least four games during SEC play in each of Freeze’s seasons, setting a new low mark for the program. The freeze leaves Auburn with a 15-19 overall record, including a 6-16 showing in conference play.

This is the worst three-year start by an Auburn coach since 1951-53, when Ralph Jordan went 14-16-1. Jordan, A College football The Hall of Famer showed progress in that third year with a 7-3-1 record, and led the Tigers until his retirement after the 1975 season.

Freeze is also the first Auburn coach since 1950 to go at least three seasons without a winning record against league opponents.

Freeze’s tenure as Auburn’s coach

Auburn entered the 2025 season with high expectations thanks to Freeze’s recruiting efforts and what appeared to be — on paper, at least — an improved offense. The Tigers boasted one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in college football, highlighted by stars like Cam Coleman and top transfer addition Eric Singleton.

They also took a big swing by landing former five-star and Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold at quarterback. Auburn even rose to No. 22 on the AP Top 25 amid a 3-0 start in non-conference play, highlighted by an impressive road win against Baylor in which the Tigers scored 38 points.

Then they hit the wall. They have failed to score 20 points in each of their first four SEC games. Arnold went three straight games, from Auburn’s Sept. 27 loss to Texas A&M to its loss to Missouri, without a touchdown.

Arnold was also benched against Arkansas, as the Tigers turned to former Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels late in the first half.

Auburn is the third SEC school to make a midseason coaching change in 2025, following in the footsteps of the Razorbacks, who He transferred from Sam Bateman on September 28and Florida, Who fired Billy Napier two weeks ago.

Sumrall is one of the fastest-rising coaches in college football after exciting coaching stints at Troy and Tulane. He’s high on the team’s early hot plate, according to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. The Huntsville, Alabama, native took over the Troy program after three straight losing seasons and quickly turned them into a winner, posting a 23-4 record with two Sun Belt titles in two seasons. The following year, he went to Tulane and led the program to the All-American title game with an 8-5 record, including 7-1 in All-American play.

The former Kentucky quarterback has deep experience in the SEC, serving as defensive coordinator under Mark Stoops and running backs coach at Ole Miss. He has built physical defensive teams that control games but has consistently found great offensive coordinators and players as head coach, including midfielder Darian Mensah, linebacker Makhi Hughes and linebacker Kimani Vidal. — Shehan Jayaraja

The 56-year-old is controversial College football A character whose long track record of success seems further away with every mistake he makes (coaches across the country still can’t figure out why Freeze refuses to re-evaluate his cooperative approach to play).

Be skeptical, there’s a big market for Freeze as a head coach moving forward – and it’s also unclear whether Freeze will want to coach again anytime soon.

Freeze was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February and is currently undergoing treatment. Doctors caught it early and he chose not to have immediate surgery to remove the mass. This is because the cancer was considered low aggressive, per Freeze. He said again in the summer that he intended to re-evaluate his health in January.

As for a potential future in coaching, Freeze may emerge as a candidate in the G-5 program. He has found great success in his past stints at Arkansas State and Liberty. But by checking industry sources, it’s hard to see Freeze immediately returning as coach of a Power Four team. It won’t bear the stamp of a Franklin or a Kelly, and its baggage is enormous. –Chris Hammer

The Auburn Tigers are searching for their next head football coach following the firing of Hugh Freeze. AuburnUndercover He has the most experienced experts and insiders covering the Tigers on the floor at Auburn. Catch the news before it happens with this research training by subscribing to VIP membership today. Plus, you’ll get team news, recruitment, transfer portal scoop, analysis and more along with interaction with… The most dedicated community of Auburn fans.