Just when Alabama football fans believed Week 4 of the season had delivered all the excitement, Auburn added to the buzz by showing support for Hugh Freeze.
There are two contrasting realities in college football on either side of Alabama. Alabama Football is thriving as the top-ranked team in the country, while Auburn is struggling with a disappointing 2-3 start to the 2024 season, having yet to play a road game.
Auburn’s last notable season was in 2019, when Gus Malzahn led the team to a 9-4 record. Since Malzahn’s departure in 2020, the Tigers haven’t had a winning season.
Following their recent collapse against Oklahoma, Auburn seems headed for a fourth consecutive losing season. Their October schedule includes tough SEC road games against Georgia, Missouri, and Kentucky. At best, Auburn might scrape together a single win, which would leave them at 3-5, needing to win three of their final four games to become bowl-eligible. They’re likely to beat ULM at home and probably Vanderbilt as well, but Texas A&M will be a tough matchup before they inevitably lose the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.
Auburn’s future looks bleak, especially under head coach Hugh Freeze. After the Oklahoma loss, Freeze acknowledged some responsibility for the offensive struggles.
Despite this, a Sunday report from Fly War Eagle suggests Freeze’s job is secure through 2025, even if Auburn finishes 4-8. Athletic Director John Cohen remains a strong supporter, saying, “I believe in how we’re recruiting. I believe in what’s happening in the locker room. We’re in a better position now than I expected two years ago.”
However, Cohen might just be putting on a brave face. Auburn fans are anxious that recent recruiting successes could fall apart. If Freeze’s recruiting efforts don’t pan out, Auburn could be facing another coaching buyout. What seems like saving money by keeping Freeze for a third season could turn out to be a poor financial decision.
As an Alabama football fan, I can’t help but wish Freeze, like many Auburn coaches before him, would be given a lifetime contract.
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