Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze Faces Pressure Entering 2025 Season with New QB

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze enters the crucial 2025 season on the hot seat after two disappointing seasons with records of 6-7 and 5-7. Despite success at previous programs, Freeze's tenure at Auburn has been marked by struggles, particularly at the quarterback position, which he publicly criticized last year but also sought to improve by adding Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold, Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, and freshman Deuce Knight. Freeze has addressed reports that he asked defensive coaches to ease up on Arnold in practice to boost his confidence, clarifying that his focus is on preparing quarterbacks effectively rather than coddling them. His approach to the quarterback depth chart is situational, with Arnold as the starter but both Daniels and Knight expected to contribute in specific scenarios, reflecting a strategic plan to maximize their different skills. However, Freeze has faced criticism for publicly calling out his players for distractions like social media during a critical offseason when his own golfing drew media attention, raising questions about his leadership and public relations approach. As Auburn begins fall camp, Freeze aims to leverage his transfer portal acquisitions and returning talent to compete for a College Football Playoff spot, but the team's performance this year could determine his future at Auburn.