**Yeah, We’re Struggling — But Hugh Freeze Still Has My Full Trust, Says Auburn AD**
Auburn football is in a tough spot. The Tigers, a program with a proud history and a fanbase that expects excellence, are struggling to find consistency under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze. The 2023 season showed flashes of promise but ultimately ended with a disappointing 6-7 record, and the 2024 campaign hasn’t started much better. With losses piling up and frustrations mounting among fans, questions about Freeze’s future have begun to surface. But despite the early struggles, Auburn’s athletic director, John Cohen, remains steadfast in his support of the head coach.
In a recent interview, Cohen didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges the program is facing. “Yeah, we’re struggling right now,” he admitted. “There’s no sugarcoating it. We all expected to be further along at this point, but building something sustainable takes time.” However, when asked directly about Freeze’s job security, Cohen was emphatic: **“Hugh Freeze still has my full trust. We knew this wasn’t going to be an overnight fix, and I believe in the plan he’s put in place.”**
That vote of confidence is significant, especially in the cutthroat world of SEC football, where patience is often in short supply. Freeze inherited a roster that lacked depth in key areas, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines, and the transition from the previous regime has been rocky. Recruiting has been a bright spot—Freeze and his staff have pulled in back-to-back top-15 classes—but player development and on-field execution have lagged behind expectations.
### **The Case for Patience**
Cohen’s public backing of Freeze isn’t just lip service. There are legitimate reasons to believe that better days could be ahead, even if the current results are frustrating.
First, Freeze has a proven track record in the SEC. At Ole Miss, he took a middling program and turned it into a contender, beating Alabama twice and landing in the top 10 before off-field issues derailed his tenure. His ability to scheme offenses and develop quarterbacks is well-documented, and given time, there’s little reason to think he can’t replicate that success at Auburn.
Second, the Tigers’ recruiting momentum is real. Freeze has secured commitments from elite high school talent and made strategic use of the transfer portal to address immediate needs. The 2024 class included several blue-chip prospects, and early returns on the 2025 cycle suggest Auburn is poised to land even more difference-makers. Sustained success in the SEC starts with stacking elite recruiting classes, and Freeze is doing that.
Third, the schedule hasn’t done Auburn any favors. The SEC is deeper than ever, and with Oklahoma and Texas now in the mix, the path to contention is even tougher. Close losses to top-tier opponents—games that could have swung either way—suggest the Tigers aren’t as far off as their record indicates.
### **The Fanbase’s Frustration**
Despite these reasons for optimism, patience is wearing thin among Auburn fans. This is a fanbase that has seen its program reach the highest of highs (a national championship in 2010, an SEC title in 2013, near-misses in 2017 and 2019) and the lowest of lows (the disastrous Bryan Harsin era). Many supporters believed Freeze’s arrival would spark an immediate turnaround, and the reality of a multi-year rebuild has been a tough pill to swallow.
Social media has been flooded with criticism, particularly after ugly losses where the Tigers looked outmatched. Play-calling, quarterback play, and defensive breakdowns have all come under fire. Some fans are already calling for a change, arguing that Auburn can’t afford to waste years in a conference where rivals like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are constantly reloading.
But Cohen is urging perspective. **“I get the frustration—trust me, I do,”** he said. **“But knee-jerk reactions don’t lead to long-term success. We have to stay the course.”**
So, what would a “successful” season look like for Freeze at this point? Given the current trajectory, it may not be about wins and losses as much as it is about progress.
If Auburn can show clear improvement in key areas—offensive line play, quarterback development, defensive consistency—and pull off an upset or two down the stretch, that could be enough to buy Freeze more time. Beating rivals like Alabama or Georgia would go a long way in restoring faith, but even competitive showings in those games would signal that the program is moving in the right direction.
The biggest factor, however, may be player buy-in. If the locker room remains united and the team continues to fight—no signs of quitting or internal division—that will speak volumes to Cohen and the administration. Freeze’s ability to keep his players engaged despite adversity could be the difference between getting a third year or facing hot-seat pressure
Auburn isn’t the only program navigating a difficult transition. Florida, Texas A&M, and even Oklahoma are all dealing with their own growing pains under relatively new coaches. The difference is that some of those schools have deeper pockets or more administrative patience than others. Cohen’s willingness to stand by Freeze—at least for now—suggests that Auburn is taking the long view.
There’s also the financial aspect. Auburn just paid a massive buyout to fire Bryan Harsin, and starting over with another coach would mean another hefty contract and another reset. Unless the season completely spirals, it makes more sense to give Freeze another year to prove himself.
Hugh Freeze’s tenure at Auburn was always going to be a project. The Tigers needed a cultural reset, a talent infusion, and a coach who could compete in the brutal SEC West. Freeze checked those boxes, but the rebuild was never going to be instant.
John Cohen’s public endorsement is a clear message: **Auburn is willing to endure short-term pain if it means long-term gain.** Whether that faith is rewarded remains to be seen, but for now, Freeze’s job appears safe—even if the wins aren’t coming as quickly as anyone hoped.
The next few weeks will be critical. If Auburn can show tangible improvement, the narrative around Freeze could shift quickly. But if the struggles continue, even Cohen’s patience may wear thin. For now, though, the message from the top is clear: **Hugh Freeze still has their trust.** The question is, for how long?
