Hugh Freeze currently enjoys more goodwill on the Plains than perhaps any Auburn football coach before him — and the 2025 season offers him a clear opportunity to prove he’s worthy of it.
All he has to do is guide Auburn to a season that reflects the significant investments made in the roster and aligns with the program’s long-standing SEC tradition, built over more than nine decades.
Rivals’ Brian Stultz believes reaching eight wins and capturing a bowl victory would be more than enough to energize a fanbase that hasn’t seen a postseason win in years or a winning season since Kenny Dillingham and freshman Bo Nix were leading the offense.
“For Freeze, holding serve at home while winning half of the road games would be an excellent way to build some momentum,” Stultz wrote. “Not many expect the Tigers to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season, but it’s essential that the win total for the Tigers is closer to 10 than to five.”
He added, “Five wins last year was disappointing, but that can be erased from memory if Auburn can get to the eight-win mark or more. Winning a bowl game, something this program hasn’t done since 2019, would be a cherry on top.”
This season is a pivotal one for Freeze’s time at Auburn. The expectation is clear: produce results. The talent and resources are largely in place — now it’s up to the coaching staff to translate that into wins.
Auburn’s administration has hitched its future to Freeze’s success. Athletic Director John Cohen has publicly backed him, stating he hasn’t even considered a coaching change despite the tough on-field outcomes so far. Still, skeptics can point to high-profile staff moves — like DJ Durkin’s sizable extension — as evidence of contingency planning. That’s a salary fit for a potential successor.
Ultimately, Freeze must deliver meaningful progress this season. If he doesn’t, the fanbase’s patience could wear thin — and the trust Auburn’s leadership has placed in him may start to erode beyond repair.