Why Auburn May Be Following in the Footsteps of Other Trending SEC Programs
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is widely regarded as the most dominant and competitive conference in college football. Year in and year out, SEC teams set the standard for excellence, with powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida traditionally vying for national championships and consistently appearing in the College Football Playoff. However, in recent years, the landscape of college football in the SEC has seen significant shifts, with several programs—once considered underdogs—starting to rise and challenge the established powers.
Auburn University, a program historically known for its competitiveness and ability to pull off upsets, finds itself in the midst of a transformation. With the hiring of head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn is looking to revitalize its football program, possibly following in the footsteps of other trending SEC programs that have undergone similar transformations. As Auburn seeks to reclaim its place among the SEC elite, it’s worth examining how the Tigers might be following the blueprint of other programs that have risen to prominence in recent years.
The SEC’s Changing Landscape: A Shift in Power?
In the last decade, the SEC has experienced a shift in power. While Alabama and Georgia remain at the top of the conference, other programs have begun to challenge their dominance. Teams like LSU, Tennessee, and Kentucky have seen significant improvements under new coaching regimes, proving that success in the SEC isn’t limited to just the traditional powerhouses.
For example, LSU, under coach Ed Orgeron, went from a program struggling with consistency to winning a national championship in 2019 with one of the best offenses in college football history. Tennessee, which had been in the doldrums for much of the 2000s and early 2010s, experienced a resurgence under Josh Heupel. Kentucky, led by Mark Stoops, has turned into a consistent contender, challenging the expectations of the SEC East.
This shift in the SEC has opened the door for programs like Auburn to rise and re-establish themselves as a true contender. If Auburn can emulate the paths of some of these trending programs, it might be able to close the gap with its rivals and regain its status as a prominent force in college football.
The Hugh Freeze Hire: A Similar Path to Resurgence
One of the primary reasons Auburn may be following in the footsteps of other trending SEC programs is the hiring of Hugh Freeze. Freeze’s hiring as Auburn’s head coach in 2022 is a pivotal move that parallels other successful coaching changes in the SEC.
Consider the example of LSU. When LSU hired Ed Orgeron as the full-time head coach after the 2016 season, many viewed the move as a gamble. Orgeron had limited success as a head coach at Ole Miss, but he proved to be the right fit for the LSU job. Under Orgeron’s leadership, LSU quickly turned into a juggernaut, with the 2019 season culminating in a national championship. Orgeron’s success was built on bringing in an elite coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball, and ensuring a positive team culture.
Similarly, Hugh Freeze’s hire at Auburn was seen as a potential turning point for the program. Freeze built a reputation as an offensive mastermind during his time at Ole Miss, where he turned around a program that had been languishing for years. His ability to recruit, especially on the offensive side of the ball, and his knack for developing quarterbacks make him an ideal fit for Auburn, which has struggled with consistency at the quarterback position in recent years.
Auburn’s administration saw in Freeze the potential to turn around the program much in the same way other programs, like LSU and Tennessee, have done. By hiring a coach with a proven track record of success, Auburn is positioning itself to capitalize on a trend in the SEC where programs are reinvigorated by bringing in the right leadership.
The Transfer Portal: Auburn’s New Recruitment Strategy
One of the most significant trends in college football in recent years has been the increasing influence of the transfer portal. The rise of the transfer portal has reshaped recruiting strategies for college programs, allowing teams to address immediate needs and fill gaps on the roster without waiting for high school recruits to develop.
Programs like LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss have taken full advantage of the transfer portal to build competitive rosters in short order. For instance, LSU used the transfer portal extensively to rebuild its roster after Orgeron’s departure, bringing in several key players who contributed to the team’s success in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Tennessee’s resurgence under Heupel was also fueled by the transfer portal, as the Volunteers brought in key players like quarterback Hendon Hooker, who became a Heisman candidate and turned Tennessee into a contender in the SEC East.
Auburn has also embraced the transfer portal, bringing in several talented players to immediately bolster their roster. With Freeze known for his ability to identify talent and build rosters quickly, Auburn has used the portal to add depth and improve at key positions, including quarterback and wide receiver. The influx of experienced players from the portal will give Auburn an immediate boost, much like it did for other rising SEC programs in recent years.
For Auburn, this approach allows the program to remain competitive while it continues to develop its high school recruiting efforts. The ability to plug holes with experienced players can help Auburn compete at a high level in the SEC right away, giving Freeze the time he needs to build his long-term vision for the program. This strategy has worked well for other programs in the SEC, and Auburn’s focus on the portal shows that it’s taking a similar approach to building a competitive roster quickly.
The Rise of Offensive Power: Emulating Tennessee and Ole Miss
In recent years, some of the most successful programs in the SEC have been those that have embraced a high-octane, fast-paced offense. Tennessee, under Josh Heupel, has turned into one of the most dangerous offenses in the SEC, with quarterback Hendon Hooker leading the way for the Volunteers. Ole Miss, under Lane Kiffin, has similarly transformed into an offensive juggernaut, relying on an explosive passing attack and a system that challenges defenses with tempo and creativity.
Auburn, under Hugh Freeze, is poised to follow a similar blueprint. Freeze has a history of success running up-tempo offenses that utilize a variety of spread concepts, often relying on a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. The hiring of Freeze signals a commitment to improving Auburn’s offense, which has struggled in recent years, and it could be a key factor in the Tigers’ potential resurgence.
Auburn’s offense will likely become more dynamic, utilizing the strengths of quarterbacks like Payton Thorne, who possesses both a strong arm and the mobility to make plays outside the pocket. With Freeze’s history of developing quarterbacks and creating high-scoring offenses, Auburn may begin to resemble the offensive-minded programs that have seen success in the SEC, such as Tennessee and Ole Miss. If Freeze can build an offense capable of scoring at a high level, Auburn could quickly become a force in the SEC West.
Recruiting: Reclaiming the Elite Talent in the South
Another trend that Auburn may be following is the ability to recruit elite talent in the Southeast. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida have long been able to attract top-tier talent from the region, and the best teams in the SEC have historically been built on in-state and regional recruiting. However, programs like Tennessee and Ole Miss have shown that, with the right leadership and recruiting strategy, it’s possible to emerge as a serious contender even if you don’t dominate the in-state recruiting battles.
Auburn, under Freeze, is focusing on re-establishing itself as a major player in recruiting, especially in its home state of Alabama, where it competes with Alabama for the top recruits. Freeze’s ability to connect with recruits and build relationships will be crucial to Auburn’s long-term success. If Auburn can land the same caliber of players that have helped propel teams like Tennessee and Ole Miss to the top of the SEC, it could be well on its way to a successful resurgence.
Auburn is already starting to see some positive signs in recruiting, with several high-profile commitments and interest from elite recruits. If Freeze can continue to build momentum in recruiting, Auburn may find itself once again competing for SEC championships and College Football Playoff appearances.