Auburn Fires Head Coach Hugh Freeze After 15-19 Record

Auburn University has fired head football coach Hugh Freeze after a disappointing 4-5 start to the 2025 season, including a 10-3 loss to Kentucky which was the tipping point for the decision. Freeze's tenure, which began in early 2023, was marked by a 15-19 overall record and a 6-16 mark in SEC play, with several notable home losses and an inability to secure wins in close games. Despite Freeze's success in recruiting top talent and bringing in key transfers, on-field performance failed to meet expectations, and Auburn has now parted ways with him less than three years into his contract, which runs through 2028. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is expected to serve as interim head coach while Auburn begins the search for a new head coach, marking the Tigers' third full-time coach since 2020. The decision reflects Auburn's frustration with repeated losing records and search for stability after previous coaching changes. Freeze's firing also comes amid a controversial background from prior NCAA violations and off-field issues, though Auburn initially hoped he would replicate his earlier success at Ole Miss and Liberty.