Lane Kiffin could not pass up the chance to go after Auburn’s perplexing offensive arrangement once more. After learning about Hugh Freeze’s intricate multi-coach play-calling system, many college football fans are beginning to question its effectiveness. The Ole Miss head coach took to his usual online forum to perform his well-known trolling act.
Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin Takes Aim at Auburn’s Confusing Coaching Structure
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin took his signature trolling style to a new level again, questioning the confusing play-calling setup of Auburn. Shortly after the story broke about the Tigers’ strange system in which multiple coaches handle different downs, Kiffin posed the question that everyone wanted an answer to: “So does a 4th coach call 4th downs??”
So does a 4th coach call 4th downs?? 🤔@AuburnFootball https://t.co/CGw0r08Uwz
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) August 14, 2025
The plot was illuminated when Auburn insider Justin Hokanson revealed the Tigers’ complicated offensive structure. According to his tweet, Derrick Nix, the offensive coordinator, is in charge of the first-down strategy, while Kent Austin, the quarterbacks coach, takes care of the third downs. Head coach Freeze calls second downs but still has veto power over any assistant’s decisions.
Since we spoke with Derrick Nix and Kent Austin yesterday, just to reiterate…
Nix handles 1st down strategy/play-calling. Austin handles 3rd down strategy/play-calling. And as Nix said of Hugh Freeze, "head coach has the authority to overrule anything we say or do."
How often…
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) August 12, 2025
Hokanson’s tweet indicated that Freeze is a major part of the process. Nix referred to Freeze as “highly involved” and stated that his level of interference “depends on how the game is going.” The method enables Freeze to change any call, so there is a possibility of confusion at the most important moments.
Jon Tweets Sports attempted to clarify Auburn’s approach by breaking down the responsibilities. He outlined how Nix calls first downs, Freeze handles second downs, and Austin manages third downs, with Freeze maintaining override authority throughout. Despite calling it a “solid strategy,” many found the setup unnecessarily complicated.
Critics have criticized Freeze’s micromanagement approach as inefficient and confusing. Many analysts believe that multiple voices calling plays create unnecessary chaos for players, especially quarterback Jackson Arnold, who transferred from Oklahoma to seek stability.
This latest exchange continues the ongoing social media rivalry between Kiffin and Freeze. The two coaches have engaged in numerous online battles. Since taking over at Ole Miss, Kiffin holds a perfect 2-0 record against Freeze’s teams on the field.
The season’s first game will put the Auburn Tigers’ complicated play-calling system to the test.
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