Hugh Freeze, the former Auburn Tigers football coach, offered his temporary replacement, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, a polite shoutout in his farewell letter to the fans on Sunday night, hours after being fired.
Freeze urged the fanbase to continue supporting the program under Durkin’s direction.
“To our players, thank you for your dedication, heart, and belief in the process and the fight you have demonstrated each week. Watching you develop as athletes and persons has been the most satisfying aspect of his job. To our staff: no one will ever know about your tremendous effort behind the scenes, but thank you for fighting for Auburn every day. And to our fans: your enthusiasm fuels us. You’ve stood by us through every high and low, and your dedication has never wavered. “I respectfully request that you continue to fully support these student-athletes as they strive to finish the season strong under Coach Durkin’s leadership,” Freeze stated.
Durkin’s defense has been the team’s backbone throughout the season. It will continue to be so as Derrick Nix and Kent Austin work out the new play-calling scheme. Neither had been dismissed as of Sunday night.
It is unknown whether Jackson Arnold or Ashton Daniels will be prioritized at center. It could also be interesting looking into Deuce Knight. The new coaching staff prioritizes position consistency moving forward.
Durkin now has three games to leave an impression. If the Tigers win out, they will still be a seven-win team, having defeated two SEC contenders, the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
DJ Durkin could be a candidate for Auburn’s full-time head coaching job
Jerry Hinnen, an ex-CBS Sports writer living in Alabama, sarcastically anticipated Durkin’s promotion to full-time head coach following an Iron Bowl victory. That prospect is not far off if AU can defeat Vanderbilt in Nashville.
If any of this occurs, it will be with the talent that Freeze has acquired. Maybe, in another life, Freeze might have been (or still could be?) the program’s general manager, and a superior X’s and O’s guy can call the plays and oversee the locker room.
Durkin has the option to do the latter as the program considers its next offensive coordinator.