Auburn Fires HC Freeze in 3rd Season

**Auburn University Reportedly Fires Head Coach Hugh Freeze After Kentucky Upset**

Auburn, AL – Auburn University has reportedly fired Head Football Coach Hugh Freeze, effective immediately, following a disheartening upset loss to the University of Kentucky this past Saturday. The decision brings Freeze’s tenure on the Plains to an abrupt end midway through his third season at the helm.

Multiple national media outlets, including Fox Sports and ESPN, began reporting the news late Sunday evening, citing sources close to the university’s athletic department. An official announcement from Auburn University is widely anticipated early Monday morning.

The Tigers’ 27-24 loss to Kentucky in Lexington, a game where Auburn was favored, appears to have been the final straw for the university’s leadership and frustrated fan base. The defeat dropped Auburn’s record to a disappointing 3-4 (1-3 SEC) for the 2025 season, extending a pattern of inconsistency that has plagued the program under Freeze.

Hired in December 2022, Freeze compiled an overall record of 16-17 during his two-and-a-half seasons. His first full season in 2023 saw the Tigers finish 6-7, concluding with a loss in the Music City Bowl. The 2024 campaign offered a slight improvement, finishing 7-6 after a bowl game appearance. However, the program struggled to make significant inroads in the competitive Southeastern Conference, and top-tier recruiting results, while improving, had not yet translated into consistent on-field success against SEC rivals.

Sources indicate that Athletic Director John Cohen and University President Christopher B. Roberts had grown increasingly concerned with the team’s trajectory and the perceived lack of progress. Fan discontent, particularly after high-profile losses and an inability to challenge for the SEC West title, reached a boiling point after the Kentucky game.

Freeze’s contract, which was a six-year deal worth an estimated $6.5 million annually, contained a significant buyout clause. Details regarding the financial implications of his dismissal are expected to be part of the university’s official statement.

Before his arrival at Auburn, Freeze rebuilt the program at Liberty University, going 34-15 over four seasons. He gained national prominence during his stint at Ole Miss from 2012-2016, leading the Rebels to significant wins, including two victories over Alabama. However, his tenure at Ole Miss ended controversially amid NCAA violations and personal misconduct. His hiring at Auburn, a high-pressure SEC job, marked his return to the conference spotlight.

Auburn is expected to name an interim head coach, likely an existing assistant, as it launches a national search for its next head coach. The university has cycled through several head coaches in recent years, including Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin, reflecting the high expectations and competitive landscape of SEC football. The next hire will face immediate pressure to restore Auburn to national prominence and consistently compete for championships.