Auburn Hires Hugh Freeze as New Football Coach
Former Ole Miss and Liberty Head Coach Returns to SEC West
Freeze Brings Success and Controversy to Plains
Auburn University has hired Hugh Freeze as its next football coach, the school announced Monday. Freeze, who was most recently the head coach at Liberty University, replaces Bryan Harsin, who was fired in October after three seasons.
Freeze is a proven winner at the collegiate level, having won 101 games in 12 seasons as a head coach. He led Ole Miss to a Sugar Bowl berth in 2015 and Liberty to a Cure Bowl victory in 2020.
However, Freeze's hiring also comes with some controversy. He was fired from Ole Miss in 2017 after an NCAA investigation revealed a pattern of personal misconduct, including using a school-issued phone to call escort services.
Auburn athletic director Allen Greene said in a statement that he was aware of Freeze's past but believes he has "learned from his mistakes" and is "committed to being a positive role model for our student-athletes."
Freeze's hiring is a bold move by Auburn, which is looking to regain its status as a national power in football. Freeze has a proven track record of success, but he also comes with some baggage. It remains to be seen whether he can overcome his past and lead Auburn to a brighter future.
Comments