BREAKING NEWS: AD John Cohen Confirms Stance on Hugh Freeze’s Job Security with Auburn Football Amid Firing Reports
AU AD John Cohen confirmed what reports had long revealed about Hugh Freeze’s tenure as Auburn football’s head coach: there was never a plan to fire him in 2024 even as the Tigers racked up disappointing loss after disappointing loss.
“No, not at any point,” Cohen told the Montgomery Advertiser. “I work at an incredible university with incredible leadership, with (University President) Dr. Chris Roberts. I have an incredible board that I serve at the pleasure of. There is constant communication in everything we do. Not just football, every one of our sports. And I really believe that all of us are on the same page. That doesn’t mean you don’t get disappointed. It doesn’t mean that you’re saying we can’t do things better. … But all the signs are there.
“Where there are top-10 recruiting classes, there is success to follow. Where there’s a team of people who are saying, ‘I will perform for this coach. I will work hard for this coach. I will help this coach in the recruiting process,’ you have something special happening.”
In September, it was said that Freeze would survive a 4-8 season in 2024 had Auburn lost that much. The Tigers ended up 5-7. It was later reported in October that Freeze could survive a losing season in 2024 and 2025, potentially meaning Freeze could make it to the 2026 season regardless of record.
For some fans, this is great news. Firing coaches every two years is costly in the NIL era and the more firings a program has, the less likely strong candidates will consider that school in the future.
For others, this is awful news. Many felt Freeze was the wrong guy from the start and while his recruiting success has been admirable, his teams have been underperforming on the field.
We’ll see how it plays out for both camps as Auburn enters 2025 with full confidence in its coaching staff.
For better or for worse.
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