Hugh Freeze Auburn Buyout: Who Pays What

AUBURN, Ala. – Hugh Freeze’s coaching contract with Auburn University, signed upon his hiring on November 28, 2022, details a multi-year financial commitment for both the university and the coach, including substantial figures for potential buyouts depending on who initiates a separation. The deal outlines Freeze’s salary, annual raises, and performance incentives, positioning him among the higher-paid coaches in the Southeastern Conference.

Auburn’s decision to bring Freeze to the Plains involved an initial investment of $3 million paid to Liberty University to secure his release from his previous contract. Freeze had led Liberty for four seasons, compiling a 34-15 record and making three bowl appearances before accepting the Auburn position. His contract with the Tigers is set to run through December 31, 2028.

Under the terms of the agreement, Freeze began with a base salary of $6.5 million for the 2023 season. This amount is structured to increase by $100,000 annually, reflecting a consistent upward trajectory in his compensation over the contract’s duration.

The contract includes significant buyout clauses designed to protect both parties. Should Auburn decide to terminate Freeze’s employment “without cause,” the university would be obligated to pay him a substantial sum, which decreases over time. For a firing occurring between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024, Auburn would owe Freeze $20 million. This figure then drops to $18 million for a termination between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025. Further reductions are outlined: $16 million for the period between December 1, 2025, and November 30, 2026; $12 million if he is let go between December 1, 2026, and November 30, 2027; and finally, $8 million for a dismissal between December 1, 2027, and his contract’s end on December 31, 2028.

Conversely, if Freeze opts to terminate his contract early to pursue another coaching opportunity, he would owe Auburn University a penalty. A departure between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024, would cost him $10 million. This amount also decreases annually: $8 million for leaving between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025; $6 million for the period from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026; $4 million if he exits between December 1, 2026, and November 30, 2027; and $2 million for a departure between December 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028.

Beyond his base salary, Freeze has opportunities to earn additional income through various performance incentives. These bonuses, common in high-level college football coaching contracts, include milestones such as:

* **SEC Championship Game Appearance:** $125,000
* **SEC Championship Win:** $250,000
* **Bowl Eligibility:** $50,000
* **New Year’s Six Bowl Game Appearance:** $100,000
* **College Football Playoff Appearance:** $300,000
* **College Football Playoff Semifinal Win:** $500,000
* **National Championship Game Appearance:** $400,000
* **National Championship Win:** $750,000
* **Academic Progress Rate (APR) Score above 950:** $100,000

These significant financial terms underscore the high stakes and competitive nature of college football coaching, particularly within the SEC, where coaching changes often involve multi-million dollar buyouts for both the university and the coach. Freeze’s contract reflects Auburn’s substantial investment in its football program and its expectations for competitive success under his leadership.