The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be a crucial one for Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. Since taking over the program in 2023, Freeze has yet to meet the high expectations set by the Auburn faithful. With a less-than-stellar record of 11-14 (5-11 SEC), Freeze finds himself on the hot seat as fans eagerly await a turnaround.
Despite the mounting pressure, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum believes that Freeze’s job is safe for now. Finebaum dismissed the idea of UNLV head coach Dan Mullen replacing Freeze, citing the support Freeze has from key figures at Auburn.
“It’s pretty underwhelming and I think a lot of mistakes have been made, but Auburn has gone out there and brought him a lot of really good players. Many people believe that Auburn will bounce back,” Finebaum stated on The Paul Finebaum Show.
However, history has shown that Auburn is not afraid to make coaching changes if results don’t improve. Freeze’s predecessor, Bryan Harsin, was fired in his second season after posting a 9-12 record. Another losing campaign could spell trouble for Freeze, despite Finebaum’s assurances.
In an effort to help Freeze turn things around, Auburn has made significant investments in the program this offseason. The Tigers have brought in key players from the transfer portal and assembled a top-10 recruiting class for 2025.
However, Freeze faces an additional challenge heading into the 2025 season. In February, Auburn announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, the disease was caught early, allowing Freeze to continue his coaching duties while undergoing treatment.
“Recently, Coach Freeze was diagnosed with an early form of prostate cancer,” the school’s statement read. “Thankfully, it was detected early and his doctors have advised that it is very treatable and curable. He will continue his normal coaching duties and responsibilities, and with forthcoming proper treatment, is expected to make a full recovery.”
Despite his health concerns, Freeze remains focused on improving Auburn’s performance in 2025. The addition of key players like quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receivers Eric Singleton Jr. and Horatio Fields is expected to bolster the team’s chances of success.
As Freeze navigates both the challenges of coaching and his health, Auburn fans are hopeful for a turnaround in the upcoming season. With support from the university and a talented roster at his disposal, Freeze has the tools to lead Auburn to success on the field.
