AUBURN, ALA. - Auburn University confirmed today that Hugh Freeze will serve as the next head coach of its football program.
“After a thoughtful, thorough, and well-vetted search, we ended where we started, with Hugh Freeze,” Auburn University Athletics Director John Cohen said. "“Of all the candidates we considered, Hugh was the best fit. Fit has several meanings, but the most important factors were student-athlete development, football strategy, recruiting and SEC experience.”
The Oxford, Mississippi native has head coaching experience at the college level with three programs: Arkansas State in 2011, Ole Miss from 2012-2016 and most recently Liberty for the past four seasons. The official record for Freeze is 76-47. This does not include 27 wins that have been vacated by the NCAA.
"First, I want to acknowledge Cadillac Williams for the incredible job he did as interim head coach. The impact he made is immeasurable and cannot be overstated,” Freeze said. “Secondly, Auburn is one of the preeminent programs in college football and I’m very appreciative of President Roberts and John Cohen for this opportunity at Auburn. I’ve been fortunate to witness first-hand how special Auburn is during my time as a head coach in the SEC and while visiting my daughter Jordan who attended Auburn and currently lives in the community. I can’t wait to work with our student-athletes and the Auburn family to bring championships back to the Plains.”
Auburn University President Chris Roberts also weighed in.
“I’m pleased that our Athletics Director John Cohen conducted a detailed and thorough national search process, and I look forward to welcoming Hugh and Jill Freeze to the Plains,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “I am impressed with Coach Freeze’s focus on player development and his on-the-field success at multiple universities and at multiple levels.”
Freeze's most notable accomplishment at Ole Miss was earning back-to-back wins over the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014 and 2015.
The reaction from the Auburn fans is bound to be divisive as Freeze brings some controversy along with him.
