Auburn fires football coach Freeze after SEC losses

**AUBURN, Ala. – November 25, 2024** – Auburn University has officially parted ways with head football coach Hugh Freeze, the university announced Monday, concluding a tenure marked by a significant decline in Southeastern Conference play. The decision comes after a challenging period for the Tigers, who amassed a disheartening 12 losses in their last 15 SEC games, a performance deemed unacceptable by the university’s leadership and its passionate fan base.

Director of Athletics Marcus Thorne confirmed the decision in a press conference held at the Auburn Arena, stating, “After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the program’s direction, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to make a change in leadership. We deeply appreciate Coach Freeze’s efforts and commitment to our student-athletes over the past two seasons, but the competitive demands of the Southeastern Conference and the high expectations for Auburn Football necessitate this change.”

The Tigers finished the 2024 season with a disappointing 4-8 overall record, including an 0-8 mark in SEC play. This followed a 2023 season where Auburn went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference. The combined SEC record of 3-13 over Freeze’s two full seasons ultimately sealed his fate. The 0-8 SEC season in 2024 was the first winless conference campaign for Auburn since 1950, a stark indicator of the team’s struggles.

University President Dr. Evelyn Reed echoed Thorne’s sentiments, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to competitive excellence. “Auburn University stands for championship-caliber football. While we understand that building a program takes time, the trajectory and results within our conference have not met the standard we expect. We are fully committed to bringing in a leader who can restore Auburn to its rightful place among the nation’s elite.”

Freeze, 55, was hired in December 2022 to much fanfare and some controversy, having previously coached at Ole Miss and Liberty. His tenure at Ole Miss ended amid NCAA violations and personal misconduct, but he had rehabilitated his image at Liberty. Expectations were high that he could reignite Auburn’s recruiting and competitive spirit. Initially, the 2023 season showed flashes of promise, including a competitive Iron Bowl loss to Alabama. However, the subsequent collapse in 2024, particularly the complete absence of an SEC victory, proved insurmountable.

Under the terms of his initial five-year contract, which paid him $6.5 million annually, Freeze is owed approximately $19.5 million for the remaining three years. A significant portion of this buyout is expected to be covered by donor funds, a common practice among top-tier collegiate athletic programs.

Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator David Harrison has been named interim head coach, effective immediately. Harrison will oversee team activities as the university launches a national search for its next head coach. Thorne indicated that the search would be swift and thorough, focusing on candidates with a proven track record of success, strong recruiting ties, and experience navigating the rigors of the SEC.

“We will identify a coach who shares our vision for comprehensive excellence, both on and off the field,” Thorne said. “This is one of the most attractive jobs in college football, and we are confident we will find a leader who can inspire our student-athletes, unite our fan base, and consistently compete for championships.”

Auburn has a history of high expectations and rapid coaching changes when those expectations aren’t met. Freeze is the fourth head coach Auburn has dismissed since 2012, highlighting the intense pressure to win in the heart of the SEC. The new coaching search will be closely watched by the college football world as Auburn looks to regain its footing in the highly competitive landscape.