Hugh Freeze Seeks Game-Changing Endorsement from Auburn AD John Cohen Amidst Team Turmoil

It’s no secret that things have been sliding downhill fast for Hugh Freeze and his Auburn squad. Four straight losses to kick off SEC play? Yeah, that heat under Freeze’s seat isn’t just warming up—it’s borderline scorching. Just this past Saturday, the Tigers pushed hard but ultimately fell in overtime, 23-17, to Missouri, a team sitting at No. 15 right now. And if that heartbreak wasn’t enough, it came on the heels of a tough defeat against a top-five Georgia squad. The mood around Freeze’s tenure has plummeted alongside the team’s record—14-18 overall and a downright bleak 5-14 in conference over three seasons. Meanwhile, other coaches are shaking in their cleats too; Florida finally pulled the plug on Billy Napier, and Florida State’s Mike Norvell is battling his own pressures. Yet, what really stands out here is the apparent lack of a public vote of confidence from Auburn’s athletic director, John Cohen—a stark contrast to the backing seen elsewhere in the SEC. Freeze himself has admitted that some encouragement from Cohen would be a huge boost, especially as the Tigers face a somewhat softer schedule ahead that’s crucial if he wants to turn things around and, frankly, keep his job. It’s a tense moment for Auburn football, with the clock ticking loud and clear. LEARN MORE

After falling to 0-4 in SEC play, head coach Hugh Freeze’s seat keeps getting warmer.

On Saturday, Freeze led the Tigers to a brutal 23-17 loss to now-No. 15 Missouri in overtime, one week after a demoralizing loss to now-No. 5 Georgia. Morale around Freeze’s tenure with Auburn is low, as the coach has a 14-18 overall record and dismal 5-14 SEC record in his three years with the team.

Freeze is not the only coach on the hot seat: Florida finally fired Billy Napier after a narrow win over Mississippi State, while other coaches like Florida State’s Mike Norvell have plenty to be worried about as their seasons take a dip.

But one thing Freeze doesn’t seem to have is the public support of his athletic director, John Cohen. While Norvell has FSU AD Michael Alford saying that team is “fully committed” to helping the coach through the rest of the season, and Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh is expressing his commitment to Luke Fickell, Freeze has not received a similar public endorsement.

When asked about those statements on Monday while speaking to reporters, Freeze said in a lengthy response that a similar vote of confidence from Cohen would mean a lot.

“It would be huge. That would make everyone feel a lot better for sure,” Freeze said. “I’ve totally gotten off of all social media, so I’m not sure what exactly was said in those other cases, but that’s gotta be reassuring to those people in there that they believe that they can get it fixed.”

Freeze said he hasn’t spoken to Cohen yet, but said that the AD has been “so supportive” since he was hired ahead of the 2023 season.

“I’ve trusted John since I’ve been here to do the right things and he’s gotta do what he feels is best for this program, of course,” Freeze said. “I think it’s us. I think we fit Auburn, I think we fit the Auburn culture. I think the culture in the building has changed, I think the talent level has changed, and unfortunately we just haven’t gotten over the hump in a very difficult stretch of games. But I believe that’s coming very, very soon.”

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It’s been a tough stretch indeed for Auburn, which has played four difficult, ranked opponents since starting SEC play in Week 4. In order, the Tigers have faced (and lost to): Oklahoma (currently ranked No. 13), Texas (No. 3), Georgia and Missouri. All except Georgia were one-score losses, though the loss to the Bulldogs was by only 10 points.

Freeze acknowledged Cohen “has people he has to answer to,” but said he still believes he’s the right guy for the job.

“I know I can get this fixed. We’re too dang close and we gotta get a little bit better play and a little bit better coaching at a few spots. I want a chance to fix this,” Freeze said.

Going forward, Auburn’s schedule is a little more light: The Tigers face unranked Arkansas and Kentucky, before taking on No. 10 Vanderbilt. For Freeze, those games might be must-wins if he wants to keep his job, with or without Cohen’s public support.