Auburn Fires Hugh Freeze After Home Loss to Kentucky

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn University announced on Sunday that it has fired head football coach Hugh Freeze following a disappointing 10-3 home loss to Kentucky. Athletic director John Cohen made the announcement less than 24 hours after the game, citing the need for a change in leadership.

“I have informed Coach Freeze of my decision to make a change in leadership with the Auburn football program,” Cohen said in a statement. “Coach Freeze is a man of integrity, and we appreciate his investment in Auburn and his relentless work over the last three years in bolstering our roster.”

Freeze’s tenure at Auburn has been tumultuous, marked by a 15-19 overall record and only a 6-16 record in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. The Tigers had been struggling since losing to Oklahoma in Week 4, and their offense averaged just 15 points per game in SEC matchups this season.

Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Durkin expressed his gratitude to Freeze and acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We’re trying to go one zero this week,” he said, emphasizing the focus on their next game against Vanderbilt.

Players have reacted to the changes on social media, with several thanking Freeze for his influence. Freshman quarterback Will Myers described Freeze as “one of the most Christ-centered coaches” he has met, while junior safety Jacoby Matthews shared similar sentiments, appreciating Freeze’s guidance.

However, some players on the defense have shown excitement for Durkin’s promotion, posting supportive messages on Instagram.

Cohen stated that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately as Auburn aims to return to competitiveness in college football. “Our expectations for Auburn football are to annually compete for championships,” he said.

Despite the turmoil, Durkin emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the season’s remaining games. “These players are counting on our coaching staff to give them a plan for success,” he added.